Beatdowns! Preview : Shane Mosley vs. Ricardo Mayorga - Master vs. Madman

courtesy of HBO

Don't get me wrong - there are better fights that can be made in boxing. But besides its big name value, this fight is one of the more intriguing in the sport.

Shane Mosley, is a true great who has displayed true skill and power over the years, with two victories each over Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas being his most notable wins. He is extremely durable, and has never been knocked out, and those losses by decision have come to world champion-caliber fighters Miguel Cotto, Winky Wright and Vernon Forrest. In his last fight, a unanimous decision loss to Cotto almost a year ago, Mosley still displayed remarkable skill, power and quickness for a guy his age (36 at the time), but it looked as though his wars with De La Hoya, Wright and Forrest had taken a toll.

Ricardo Mayorga, on the other hand, looked like he was on a late career surge against Fernando Vargas. He never was the greatest or most skilled fighter, and he never had any defense, but has always been a trash-talking madman of a brawler who puts it all on the line. Mayorga's reach is 70 inches, four inches shorter than Mosley's 74, but he is naturally a little bigger than Mosley, having been a regular at 154 lbs, with his last fight, a win over Fernando Vargas, having been at 164.

Who will win? The aging master technician or the ageless madman? Never underestimate the power of a crazy fighter who fights as if he has nothing to lose. Mayorga fits this definition precisely. He was never considered elite, so he has always fought with his back to the wall. This approach has gotten him results, as he dominated Vernon Forrest in their two fights, mocking Forrest and blocking Forrest's punches with his head.

That said, Mayorga is no Antonio Margarito, who literally walked through Miguel Cotto's punches in knocking him out. Margarito is arguably the best conditioned fighters in the business; Mayorga smokes cigarettes.

I don't think Mosley will knock out Mayorga. Mayorga is bigger, stronger and his chin is solid. Mayorga's body is also fresher. But Mosley is quicker, way more skilled, and has the longer reach. Moreover, if Mosley doesn't have the power to knock out Mayorga, he does have enough to sting Mayorga and keep him at bay. Expect Mayorga to give Mosley a challenge, but unless Mayorga has suddenly transformed into a Terminator, don't expect him to win.

Shane Mosley over Ricardo Mayorga via unanimous decision.

More Mosley vs. Mayorga!
1. Remembering a great fight - De La Hoya vs. Mosley I
2. Mayorga is one crazy mofo

Sphere: Related Content