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Mosley-Vargas One Last Shot at Glory
MON February 20, JULIUS STECKER - It was only six short years ago when Sugar Shane Mosley, 41-4, and Fernando Vargas, 26-2, were at the top of the boxing world. One was compared to the legendary 'Sugar' Ray Robinson, while the other was pegged to be the next Roberto Duran.
Both were on a collision course for a possible classic encounter, but both were derailed before they could reach that destination. Mosley’s train wreck came against Vernon Forrest for the welterweight title of the world, while Vargas’s reign ended against Felix Trinidad in a jr. middleweight title fight.
Now they will get a chance to finally meet. Both four years past their prime and each has shown in their last few fights, that they are far from what they once were. The question fight fans have are, can they give us one more great fight and can either of them recapture a glimmer of what they once had?
In a recent conference call with both fighters, Mosley explained how much this fight means to his career. “I don’t know if it is really a crossroads fight. I know that in my mind, at this particular time, I am ready for war. To go out there, attack, win, knockout. Short. I am not going to go for anything less than that.”
Mosley may not see this as a crossroads fight, but to all who know boxing. This is definitely both fighters last chance to restore the luster they once had in their careers.
Vargas, by many accounts, is seeing this fight as a stepping-stone to possible future super-fights, but that has not hindered his focus on Mosley. “I said it before, that I need to look great. For my fans and for me to demand the fight and that’s what I am looking forward to. I have been working hard and right now the only person on my mind is Shane Mosley. I will stay at 154, weight my options and see what happens.”
Vargas will come into the fight as the bigger man having fought at 154 his entire career. While Mosley, who has fought the majority of his career at 135 and 147 and has struggled at 154, will come in as the quicker man . It will be a classic match-up of speed vs. strength, but by listening to both fighters you get the feeling neither feels they will be at a disadvantage come fight night.
Mosley explained, “Vargs will underestimate the strength. He can be heavy and all that type of stuff, but he has to have the strength. There is a difference between being heavy and being strong. I am a strong person. That doesn’t equate to punching power, but it is just physical strength. I think he will be surprised that he won’t be able to do the things he could do as far as moving me around or pushing me around. That is going to be his first problem.”
Vargas countered with, “I didn’t see him being too quick against David Estrada and there is a way to neutralize it. You can only do so much if you give a person enough breathing room. He can do all of the little things that he thinks he can do but I am not going to let hi have a chance.”
Mosley and Vargas both are confident fighters, so neither quote should be a surprise to anybody. But will each’s confidence breed success; the greater question for fight fans will be can this fight live up to the promise that it once did 6 years ago.
Prediction - It's a pick’em fight and who ever gets off to a quicker start will probably carry the fight. Vargas will be the strongest fighter that Mosley has ever faced, while Mosley will be the quickest fighter Vargas has ever faced. So it will be speed vs. strength.
In most cases of pick’em fights, you go with the bigger man. And that would be Vargas. But in recent fights, Vargas’s performances have not suggested he can deal with a fighter of Mosley’s caliber. But in return, Mosley has looked very ordinary in his last 2 victories over welterweight competition.
I will say either guy wins a razor thin decision or it is going to be a draw. In my mind it is that close. I really can’t remember a fight being this evenly matched. I also think it will be a great action fight that may have fight fans clamoring for a rematch. Which will be good for both guys, considering where each is at right now in their careers.
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