Sugar Shane's Sweet Shot!

Hey There Fight Fans,

Last Saturday evening veteran super star and multiple weight class champion Sugar Shane Mosley once again stepped into the squared circle. This time out the veteran star was facing The Nicaraguan Bad Boy, Ricardo Mayorga. Although famous as an undisciplined slugger, Mayorga is not only a former champion himself, but also the conqueror of Mosley's long time nemesis, Vernon "The Viper" Forrest. Forrest bested Mosley both as an amateur and as a pro, while Mayorga has both KO'd Forrest and beaten him by decision, so Mayorga may have carried a bit of a psychological edge into the ring Saturday. With his experience, aggression, mind set and unquestioned power, the 34 year old Nicaraguan Bully Boy seemed ready to find out if he could turn off the shine of the 37 year old star who faced him.

Mayorga is perhaps best known for lighting up a cigarette right in the ring after winning his first title from 6 Heads Lewis. The Bad Boy has constantly bragged about his numerous bad habits including his three pack a day smoking, but how they didn't effect his in ring performances. In the ring Mayorga is known for his swarming attack and devastating power, but also for his wide punches that have been capitalized on by the likes of Felix Trinidad. Mosely, on the other hand has always been the consummate professional, training and fighting since grammar school age and attaining multiple amateur and professional titles along the way. He had seemed finished when his amateur nemesis Vernon Forrest destroyed him -- twice, but the Sugar Man had stormed back to win more titles and re-establish himself. Mosley has remained a soft spoken gentleman throughout his career and Saturday was the obvious fan favorite.

As expected, the Nicaraguan Bad Boy stormed out of his corner and launched a swarming attack. As not expected, this attack seemed to be working quite well, landing frequently on the sweet one and completely containing him. By the third round Mosley seemed to be hitting his rhythm and began countering well, but it also looked like he was trying to wear down Mayorga's famously lousy stamina. The possible problem was that the Nicaraguan had announced that for this fight he actually stopped smoking and trained hard ..... so that he could send Mosley back to the kitchen to do dishes while his wife worked. This was a jab at Shane's wife Jen being his very efficient manager, but it rolled right off Shane's back as he stayed focused on business.

In the middle rounds it became evident that Mayorga really had trained hard for this one as he drew the sugar man into an inside war, which is the game of the Nicaraguan. Mosely was holding his own there, but it was debatable if he was actually winning the inside rounds as Mayorga was landing some real power shots ............ but Shane was taking them and seemingly unaffected. Much of Mosely's effective inside work were in the form of quick, short body shots that only the aficionados would pick up on.

In the late rounds, Mosley's counter shots got sharper and Mayorga's sledge hammer power blows a bit less frequent, but rounds were still close. Then came the final round and the 37 year old veteran suddenly turned up the pace on his 34 year old attacker. Now it was Mosley who was slamming punches off his retreating opponent. Then with a mere 16 seconds left, a blistering Mosley combination floored the Nicaraguan. Mayorga clawed himself to his feet, barely beating the count, while trying desperately to avoid a KO loss, but the Sugar Man was having none of it and charged across the ring, threw a perfect sweet shot to The Bad Boy's Jaw and dropped him for the KO at 2:59 of the last round! There was no questions as Mayorga was out like a light. When he awakened, even he congratulated Mosley on one of the most sintilating finishes in boxing history. Now The Sugar Man is looking for Vernon Forrest and a little sweet revenge.

Good Night - Good Fight,
Frank "The Snake"