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| “What goes up, must come down.” Or more specifically in boxing, what a fighter works his heart out to achieve, must be undone by the meddling of sanctioning organizations. Ronald “Winky’ Wright became the first undisputed light |  |
middleweight champion of the world when he beat “Sugar’ Shane Mosley in his last fight, a feat unachieved in decades. However, Wright was not even given the opportunity to defend his monumental accomplishment before the IBF decided to strip him of their portion of the title and afford Kassim Ouma and Verno Phillips the chance to contest it. Travis Simms is also termed as the WBA light middleweight champion, presumably a product of the “super champion’ status shenanigans for which the WBA is becoming quite infamous. Nonetheless, this Saturday, November 20th, Wright and Mosley will fight a rematch in what should rightly be thought of as the legitimate light middleweight championship. One feels that Mosley is literally fighting for a lifeline due to his abysmal showings in recent years whereas Wright is seeking to prove that his first victory over Mosley was no fluke. Our staff writers here at saddoboxing.com have come together once again to give you their views on this exciting rematch.
Lee Bellfield: This rematch reminds me of Mosley vs. Forrest a couple of years ago. Styles make fights. In the first fight Mosley was soundly oupointed and failed to work out the tricky style of both Forrest and Wright and was soundly oupointed. Unfortunately for “Sugar’ Shane I can see history repeating itself. In the second Forrest fight Mosley fought a better fight but still managed to lose by decision. This Saturday night I think is going to be the exact same scenario. Mosley will have his moments having drawn on his experience from the first fight but when all is said and done Wright with the awkward southpaw stance will box his way to another unanimous decision win.
Jim Amato: I have to go with Winky. Shane did not have a clue on how to solve Wright’s style the first time around. I don’t see anything changing much this time. I’m sure with Goossen in his corner he’ll try a few new tricks but Winky’s an old pro. There’s not a whole lot he hasn’t seen. The only thing I see different is a possible knockout. Winky hurt Shane a couple of times late in their first encounter. This time he might go for the kill if Shane gets wobbled.
Greig Johnston: Mosley will have to have made some dramatic changes from his last effort against Winky. Wright is still bigger than he is, still a southpaw, and still as slippery as an eel. That spells trouble for “Sugar’ Shane. Nevertheless, I’m picking Mosley to win a decision. Call it the heart ruling the head, call it madness if you like. Winky is solid, but Mosley is a future hall of famer, and with ‘it’ trainer Joe Goossen in his corner, I think Mosley does what he has to do to shade it.
Curtis McCormick: I saw the first Wright – Mosley fight but I don’t remember much other than I don’t think it was too terribly exciting. Mosley seems to have difficulty with good fighters who are taller than he is and have good footwork. In the past if Shane couldn’t leap in and land big right hands and left hooks to both head and body, he had big problems. Winky is a very, very experienced southpaw who I believe has campaigned at light middle his entire career. In the first fight he was too big, too experienced and was able to frustrate and discourage Shane. Just like the two Mosley – Forrest fights, I don’t think Shane will be able to turn the tables on his opponent. I see a similar result in this rematch – Wright WUD12
Coyote Duran: 2004 has definitely been Winky Wright’syear, hasn’t it? The working-class king of the 154-pound class finally got his props in a major way by decisively eating away at former pound-for-pound king, “Sugar’ Shane Mosley back in March. Since then, Mosley has replaced his father, who seems rather bitter by the decision, with master craftsman trainer Joe Goossen. If Joe Goossen can mold Mosley and give him a new game plan like he did with the new and improved WBO lightweight titlist Diego Corrales, “Sugar Shane” MAY have a chance. But that’s Mosley. Eight months later, we have a focused and even MORE prepared Winky Wright. A Wright that will prevail once more in a (very) possible slugfest that might be precipitated by Mosley that’ll open him up for some cuteness, Winky-style. All because Shane doesn’t have the belts doesn’t mean he has nothing to lose. Look for Winky to take a very frustrated Mosley twelve rounds and successfully defend the undisputed (Kassim Ouma never beat Wright for the IBF belt so, in my opinion, Wright is STILL undisputed.) junior middleweight championship for the first time. Winky Wright W12 Shane Mosley.
James MacDonald: At this stage of their respective careers, I feel Wright has too much for Mosley. As a boxer, Wright is very tactically astute; he has the ability to outthink his opponent, making up for his distinct lack of KO power. He also has the ability to stand off and outbox his opponent, or come inside and out maneuver them. Meanwhile, Mosley has gone into rapid decline. His quality is not in any doubt. Indeed, when at the top of his game he can match anyone in the world. However, recent form and common sense leads me to believe ‘Winky’ will take this fight by unanimous decision.
Simon Harrison: I must confess, first time round, I thought it would be a cakewalk for Mosley; I will not being making that mistake again! Mosley was, in his prime a great offensive fighter, but we have not seen him fight with that sort of intensity since he lost his “0’ to Forrest. I know he beat De La Hoya, for a second time since, but it was a controversial decision. Wright on the other hand, has not put a foot wrong since dropping a close decision to a peak Vargas. Wright is slightly younger, nearer or indeed in his “prime’ and perhaps most importantly the natural 154-pounder. Mosley will have his moments in this fight, but Wright is the more complete fighter stronger and more cute (style wise!) so I’m going for a fairly easy decision win for Wright. Wright WU12.
Saddo: Lets face it Mosley’s last REAL win was against Adrian Stone in July of 2001 ((Over three Years ago)) because you cant really count his gift decision against De La Hoya last year, but I had big money on Shane that night and remember being ashamed for collecting my winnings from the bookmakers :-).
But ive been a massive Mosley fan and even had him at the top of my P4P list above Jones and Trinidad before he lost so not one to admit I was ever wrong, I’m gonna have to pick Mosley via UD… The reason, no one will ever remember that I picked Wright but everyone will remember that I picked Shane if he wins… LOL. ((enjoy the weekends action folks)).
Remember to check back to saddoboxing.com for our writer breakdowns of the big fights!
