Pernell Whitaker vs. Shane Mosley @ Lightweight.

[Ron Swanson]

Shane is as overrated as Tyson. Both had great physical gifts but we're dumb as boxes of rocks. Those that overwhelm with ability look great when they control. And they are inevitably overrated.

Then someone solves the puzzle and excuses fly for the rest of their careers because they are too stupid to make adjustments.

Shane hit harder relative to his opponents at 135 but that is the only difference in Shane from any era. And he dam sure wasn't knocking out Pea so it's nearly irrelevant.

Shane has never had a plan B. Pea outboxes him 8 rounds to 4. The 4 are only because Shane appears to have better rounds, a more accurate score would be 10-2

[Spicoli]

I never really bought into Shane as some lightweight phenom. Top notch ability but a bit rinse & repeat in delivery. Sometimes got frontal, telegraphed lead and often just 'showed' jab. Whitaker was just to smooth and on top at lightweight for him.

[mikeeod]

I respect all opinions on this forum (for the most part!), but I think this is a fascinating match up. Pernell is one of my favorite fighters of all time and trades out with Duran in my ranking of top lightweights ever. That being said, Shane was HUGE for that weight, was a very good boxer, and had the speed and style that would give Pea fits (think of the issues Pernell had fighting cuties like Pendelton and Hurtado).

Prime vs. Prime I feel that Pernell had that little bit extra that would help him adjust and pull the win out in the end, but Shane's speed and strength would give him trouble and make the fight uncomfortable the whole way. Buddy McGirt gave Pernell a great fight the first time around, and I feel that Shane is as good of a boxer as Buddy was but much more gifted in speed, power and athleticism. I don't see Shane having the consistency or focus to win the majority of the rounds, but I see him pushing Pernell and forcing him to reach that "final/great" level to pull out the win.

[La Cucaracha]

I think Whitaker wins a wide decision

[Beanflicker]

Pernell outboxes him for a clear UD IMO.

[Master]

I respect all opinions on this forum (for the most part!), but I think this is a fascinating match up. Pernell is one of my favorite fighters of all time and trades out with Duran in my ranking of top lightweights ever. That being said, Shane was HUGE for that weight, was a very good boxer, and had the speed and style that would give Pea fits (think of the issues Pernell had fighting cuties like Pendelton and Hurtado).

Prime vs. Prime I feel that Pernell had that little bit extra that would help him adjust and pull the win out in the end, but Shane's speed and strength would give him trouble and make the fight uncomfortable the whole way. Buddy McGirt gave Pernell a great fight the first time around, and I feel that Shane is as good of a boxer as Buddy was but much more gifted in speed, power and athleticism. I don't see Shane having the consistency or focus to win the majority of the rounds, but I see him pushing Pernell and forcing him to reach that "final/great" level to pull out the win.

You have stated some welterweight fights where Whitaker had trouble but as lightweight he was flawless.

[mikeeod]

I respect all opinions on this forum (for the most part!), but I think this is a fascinating match up. Pernell is one of my favorite fighters of all time and trades out with Duran in my ranking of top lightweights ever. That being said, Shane was HUGE for that weight, was a very good boxer, and had the speed and style that would give Pea fits (think of the issues Pernell had fighting cuties like Pendelton and Hurtado).

Prime vs. Prime I feel that Pernell had that little bit extra that would help him adjust and pull the win out in the end, but Shane's speed and strength would give him trouble and make the fight uncomfortable the whole way. Buddy McGirt gave Pernell a great fight the first time around, and I feel that Shane is as good of a boxer as Buddy was but much more gifted in speed, power and athleticism. I don't see Shane having the consistency or focus to win the majority of the rounds, but I see him pushing Pernell and forcing him to reach that "final/great" level to pull out the win.

You have stated some welterweight fights where Whitaker had trouble but as lightweight he was flawless.

The Pendelton fight was at lightweight. Pea was a very dominant champ at 135, but I don't think he ever faced anyone like Shane (and vice a versa). Shane was the much larger man with a distinct advantage physically who was versatile enough to give Pea a rough time.

[Beanflicker]

Shane's a danger from round 1 to 12, and he's going to win some rounds vs Pea, it's unavoidable. No LW in history is going to walk over Shane, he was a fucking beast at that weight.

[mikeeod]

Shane's a danger from round 1 to 12, and he's going to win some rounds vs Pea, it's unavoidable. No LW in history is going to walk over Shane, he was a fucking beast at that weight.

I agree. I would give my left testicle to be able to go back in time and somehow orchestrate Shane vs. Floyd at 135. I think that is a PHENOMENAL match up, and while I lean slightly towards Floyd winning an ATG fight, I wouldn't be willing to bet either way on that fight. Shane was at his best at 135 and I don't think that Floyd was at his best at that weight, so I think it would be one of the most interesting fights to make at 135. Really, a round robin with Shane, Pea and Floyd would be fascinating... Equal to Hop, Hagler and Monzon at 160 and Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard and Floyd at 147...

[Beanflicker]

Prime vs. Prime I feel that Pernell had that little bit extra that would help him adjust and pull the win out in the end, but Shane's speed and strength would give him trouble and make the fight uncomfortable the whole way. Buddy McGirt gave Pernell a great fight the first time around, and I feel that Shane is as good of a boxer as Buddy was but much more gifted in speed, power and athleticism. I don't see Shane having the consistency or focus to win the majority of the rounds, but I see him pushing Pernell and forcing him to reach that "final/great" level to pull out the win.

No doubt Shane is a tough fight for an LW in history.

For me, LW comes down to Pernell, Duran and Shane. Duran had the better LW legacy and was champ for longer, but I have to go with Pernell against both of them.

[Spicoli]

What I'm stuck on is what happened to Mosley when he encountered range aware and proven boxers. I count + 1 on De La Hoya...then what...Collazo

[Master]

What I'm stuck on is what happened to Mosley when he encountered range aware and proven boxers. I count + 1 on De La Hoya...then what...Collazo

Now you are counting his fights at weltweights