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In an potentially excellent bout, Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto makes the third defence of his WBA welterweight title against future hall of famer Sugar Shane Mosley at New York’s Madison Square Garden
The fight to be held on November 10 has the potential to be one of those bouts that are an intriguing clash of styles.
With the champion Cotto, 30-0 (25), you have the patient stalker with great power in both fists. In Mosley,44-4 (27), you have the master boxer with fast hands and power that should be respected.
Mosley, as we know, has been written off many times. Now in his 36th year, he has been a champion in three weight divisions.
A dominant lightweight champion, he made eight defences of his crown before moving up to 147 pounds to dethrone the legendary Oscar De La Hoya in 12 scintillating rounds in June 2000.
Mosley would make a further three defences before running into his nemesis at welterweight, Vernon Forrest, suffering two decision losses in 2002.
Many felt that even then, we had seen the best of Mosley and that he was a figher in decline. This theory was certainly supported when in his comeback fight against Raul Marquez in February 2003, he looked far from impressive.
No one gave Mosley a chance in his big money rematch with De La Hoya at light middleweight in September 2003, but he shocked the world winning a tough tactical 12 round decision in a fight that failed to ignite.
Never one to take the easy option, the nemesis would again be met at 154 pounds. Ronald “Winky” Wright was the opponent in a light middleweight unification bout in March 2004.
As with Forrest at 147 pounds, Mosley couldn’t figure out his opponents style, suffering two decision defeats that year, although he fared a little better in the rematch.
Since then Mosley has mixed his time in the ring in both the welterweight and light middleweight divisions.
He once again seems be hitting a rich vein of form as displayed against Fernando Vargas in two bouts last year.
In Cotto, he meets a man nine years his junior. Originally a light welterweight, he was champion of that division for six defences, racking up wins against the likes of Kelson Pinto, DeMarcus Corley, Mohamad Abdulaev and Paulie Malignaggi. However in order to get the bigger money bouts, he would need to move up to welterweight.
Since winning the vacant WBA 147 pound title in December 2006, Cotto has made two defences and looked very impressive in his last defence five months ago against Zab Judah, winning in 11.
This bout is one I’m truly looking forward to; both men have had their critics. Cotto is criticised for being one dimensional and easy to hit and hurt. Mosley however, has more than once been accused of being well past his best.
For me, the man who has more to prove is Cotto. Even after winning titles in two, divisions he still has his doubters. Certainly in fights against Torres and Pinto, he was hit and hurt but recovered to win.
As much as I respect Cotto, I feel he may have bitten off more than he can chew with Mosley. Mosley, although a crafty boxer, can also hit and hurt. I feel he will do this to Cotto, not letting him get set and peppering with sharp combinations.
Cotto I think will be brave but when all is said and done, Mosley will be the man with his hand raised either by points decision or even late stoppage.
