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“Sugar” Shane Mosley will be just one of the cogs that make up HBO’s big Saturday night pay per view from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a Golden Boy promotion which airs as a PPV at 9pm ET/6pm PT, but make no mistake, the onetime pound for pound top fighter in the world is seeking a return to his once spectacular form. Standing in the way of that |
happening is a little known but heavy handed Mexican – American named Jose Luis Cruz. Can Mosley regain his standing as one of the top men in the sport and the tremendous momentum that carried him to great glory at both lightweight and welter? Only time will tell but at 34 years of age, time is something Mosley may not have a great deal of anymore as he once again begins the arduous climb up the perilous mountain of world class standing.
The last three and a half years have been difficult for Mosley, 40-4 (35). After capping off a 38 fight, eight year win streak with a spectacular knockout of British welterweight Adrian Stone in 2001, “Sugar” Shane ran into a brick wall named Vernon Forrest. The Georgia man had been an amateur nemesis of Mosley’s and handed the Californian his first career loss before repeating the feat six months later.
Mosley moved up a division to light middle but found little joy to speak of at 154, participating in a rough and ugly no contest against former IBF champ Raul Marquez before pulling out a controversial unanimous decision over Oscar de La Hoya to take the WBC and WBA belts. Mosley’s title reign was short lived however as IBF boss Winky Wright lifted the belts just six months later in March of last year. In their rematch Mosley performed better but the short, stocky West Coast man could never really penetrate the tight guard or prevent the spearing jab of Wright, losing a majority decision.
In April of this year Mosley moved back down to welterweight and faced Chicago hardman David Estrada in a ten round affair at Cesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. It was a more difficult contest than had been expected for Mosley, who seemed to lack his former snap, savvy and power at 147lbs. Despite the efforts of Estrada and the subdued performance from Mosley, the former divisional kingpin was awarded a unanimous decision.
Shane may not be able to afford a similar performance this Saturday at the MGM Grand when he faces Mexican body puncher Jose Luis Cruz, 32-0-2 (27), of Mazlatan, Mexico but now living in Santa Ana, California. Going by the numbers on his record, Cruz appears to be a world beater but upon closer inspection, that resume is less impressive. The 28 year old has won Mexican and minor regional belts by beating a collection of journeymen and drew with his only real opponent of substance, Carlos Baldomir, during a WBC Welterweight title eliminator in 2002.
This should be Shane Mosley’s fight to lose. The former three weight world champion will need to use movement to keep the younger man from setting up shop and digging to the 34 year old’s midsection, all the while nailing his opponent with counters designed to sap confidence and focus. Mosley used to be one of the better body punchers in the game and could go downstairs early to take that key strategy away from his adversary.
Mosley needs to look impressive on this pay per view broadcast and avoid allowing Cruz to get in a flow, as David Estrada was able to do back in April. Anything less than a compelling win could jeopardize Mosley’s chances of career resurrection.
Contact Curtis McCormick at thomaspointrd@aol.com
