Boxing Preview Analysis: Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather

The first real superfight of 2010 takes place tonight in Las Vegas when ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley takes on ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather in a 12 round bout at welterweight.

At stake for Mayweather is not only his undefeated record but a possible mega-matchup with Manny Pacquiao down the line.For Mayweather, this is his second fight since his first retirement back in 2008. Last July, he dominated Juan Manuel Marquez over 12 rounds to stamp his return to the sport.

Mayweather, as we know, has quick hands and is elusive. The same however can be said of his opponent tonight.Sugar Shane Mosley will be 39 in September. Despite this, he seems to have regained his peak powers. After dominating the lightweight division he moved up to welterweight and in the first superfight of the new millennium he outscored Oscar De La Hoya over 12 scintillating rounds.

Mosley would also win a disputed decision in the rematch in September 2003.Mosley seemed to be on the verge of dominating the 147 pound class just like he did 135 pounds until he met the late Vernon Forrest in 2002. The old adage that styles make fights certainly seemed apt when he dropped two decisions to Forrest.

The same thing happened in 2004 when he dropped two decisions to Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright at light middleweight.Two victories would then follow over Fernando Vargas at 154 pounds before Mosley lost a close, competitive decision over an in-form Miguel Cotto at welterweight in November 2007.

Many thought this was the end for Mosley but since then he has surprised everyone by first gaining a last gap KO over Ricardo Mayorga and also an against the odds win over a then red hot Antonio Margarito last January.

In Mayweather, Mosley meets a man with similar speed and boxing smarts. A champion in five weight divisions, Mayweather has yet to taste defeat as a pro.

A dominant super featherweight champion, he then moved up to 135 pounds to win tough fights against Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. Mayweather continued up in weight to dismantle a game Arturo Gatti at light welter in 2005.

Victories at welterweight would follow in 2006 and 2007 against Zab Judah and Ricky Hatton to cement Mayweather as the world’s best welterweight. Mayweather, though, has not had it all his own way.

You could point to his two difficult decision victories over Castillo in 2002 at lightweight. Also, Oscar De La Hoya gave him problems at light middleweight in 2007. One wonders what might have happened had De La Hoya sustained his aggression.

It’s a fascinating matchup, this one. I always tend to favour the undefeated fighter when its a pick’em fight.

However on this occasion it’s hard to write Mosley off; he’s defied the odds so many times.At 38, there’s always the possibility of Mosley growing old overnight. Also, he’s not seen competitive action since 16 months ago as his planned fight with Andre Berto fell through.

For Mayweather, this is only his second fight in two and a half years. I don’t think ringrust will be a factor as you are dealing with two supreme ring craftsman. I hope Mosley lets his hands go in this one and it doesn’t turn into a chess match.

If Mosley can back him up, Mayweather will have to fight.I see this as a fight similar to Mayweather’s match with De La Hoya.

If Mosley can keep Mayweather busy then it could be interesting down the stretch.I think Mayweather just has the edge though as he could steal rounds later on but it’s certainly a fight that could go either way.