SOME FIGHTS, THEY JUST HAVE IT!
New York, NY-There is nothing quite like a fight with buzz! The showdown between Sugar Shane Mosley, and Fernando Vargas, even though its three months out, has all the ingredients of a great fight. There are a lot of intangibles that should be noted. First off, neither man is at their peak. But when both guys elevator cars are on the same floor, at the same time, you can have the makings of Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier III.
OPENING BETTING LINE AT 8-5 MOSLEY!, Having given this fight a great deal of thought, I realize that Fernando, a natural welterweight (147 lbs), and Mosley, a natural jr. welter (140), will meet at 154 lbs. With both men no longer being rookies, this is an ideal weight for both guys, provided Fernando can make it to 154, sans a near death experience. And while he weighed 162 for Raymond Joval in March, and then 154, in his last scrap in August against Javier Castillejo, making 154 on February 25th, for this HBO PPV card at the Mandalay Bay, wont be easy!
JACKSON BROUGHT SHANE DOWN IN WEIGHT!
Shane, on the other hand, under the tutelage of trainer John David Jackson, he has officially scaled 148 in his last two, versus David Estrada, and Jose Luis Cruz. For him to move up to jr. middleweight, this will put some more fuel in the Mosley fuel tank. I believe, that at 34, Mosley is pushing the envelope hard in paring down to at, or near the welterweight limit of 147. The weight limit favors Mosley.
WHAT ABOUT THE ODOMETERS OF BOTH?
In miles, Mosley has had 45 fights, won 41, and dropped four, with 35 early endings. Fernando, who turns 28 on December 12, has went to the post 26 times, suffered two setbacks, and has 22 stops. Vargas turned professional in March 1997, while Shane, had his first fight for pay in February 1993. And while Mosley has never had a serious injury, Fernando has a tweaked lower back, one that if he werent a boxer, would have been disc surgery. In totality, Fernando has 154 rounds, while Mosley has heard the bell a bit better than 200 times.
TEAM VARGAS DOWNPLAYS INJURY
Everybody connected with Vargas, says his back is OK. Those that have talked behind closed doors, say that the lower lumbar injury is debilitating. The latest, says Fernando has rested his back, and at the same time, kept his weight in check. But the test for Fernando, and training around through the holidays, is to stay away from the tamales. Physical well being, this advantage seems to go to Mosley.
HEIGHT, REACH, & MASS, ADVANTAGE VARGAS
Having an edge, both in hand and foot speed, Mosley is now batting four for four. When you look at the fluidity of each man, and how they throw combinations, Shane has yet another edge. Man, if you stopped reading right now, youd think Fernando has no chance here. But, that is not the case. Being nearly seven years younger, and having had roughly half the fights Mosley has, you would think that Vargas odometer has far less miles on him than Shane.
ANSWER THE $64,000 QUESTION, WHO WINS?
The Ring Talk” opening line favors Sugar Shane Mosley, as the 8-5 betting choice. Where would you throw your beans, on Vargas, or Mosley? Cast your votes, along with your comments below.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, talk show host, and four-time Golden Gloves champion.