THROWBACK:
SHANE MOSLEY DESTROYS ANTONIO MARGARITO IN 9 ROUNDS!
In 2009, one of boxing’s greatest fighters turned the clock back and pulled off a major, major upset!
On January 24, 2009 Sugar Shane Mosley (49-10-1-1, 41KOs) would challenge Antonio Margarito (41-8-1, 27KOs) for the WBA welterweight title. The fight took place in Los Angeles, California, a familiar setting for Mosley, who fought Oscar De La Hoya there twice previously.
At 37 years old, Mosley was a significant underdog. He entered the fight with Margarito with four losses coming at the hands of Hall Of Famer Ronald “Winky” Wright and the late Vernon Forrest, losing twice each to both men. Mosley was considered washed up and way past his prime. Although, being naturally more gifted than his adversary Margarito, none of that mattered.
Margarito, on the other hand, was riding high! Coming off the biggest win of his career against Miguel Cotto (41-6, 33KOs) in July of 2008, the rough and rugged Mexican champion was ready to make easy work of an aging great. So he and everyone else thought!
Post the first Cotto fight, controversy and suspicion seemed to follow Margarito. Many believe that he had an unfair advantage against the Puerto Rican superstar by way of corrupted gloves. Although, no proof was ever found that would find him guilty of such heinous activity. What would be discovered prior to him and Mosley stepping in the ring all but convinced all boxing fans that he had loaded gloves against Cotto.
GREAT OBSERVATION BY NAAZIM RICHARDSON!
During the traditional wrapping of the hands, trainer of Mosley Naazim Richardson observed something fishy about the hand wraps of Margarito, which led to him alerting members of the California State Athletic Commission.
What was found would be something that could’ve catapulted Margarito to another huge victory and potentially severely hurt Mosley. The substance found was Gypsum Calcium sulfate which when combined with moisture forms plaster of Paris.
Subsequently, this decision would backfire big time into the face of Margarito, as he would put on arguably the worst performance of his career.
IN THE RING ACTION!
Once in the ring, it was an absolute beatdown that Mosley laid on Margarito! It was a gradual and punishing onslaught. The speed and accuracy displayed that night had Margarito stuck in neutral. Normally a come-forward fighter, he was relegated to a human punching bag!
The dramatic and concussive conclusion came in the 9th round where Mosley unloaded a punishing flurry of punches that forced the referee to jump in and call a halt to the action as Margarito crumbled to the canvas!
The victory would catapult Mosley into bigger fights with Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez. Although he would lose to all three, the significance of his victory over Antonio Margarito would rejuvenate a fading career.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
