It will be the wildman against the sugaman when Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga meet this Saturday at 10:30 on HBO. The Jr. Middleweight fight will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Mayorga has been talking nasty as usual. Here is his latest sound bite on Mosley. “ I think it's going to be a two or three round knockout, I'm fighting a guy that's really smaller than me and he's weak. He's not like the big guys that I've been fighting that were tough. I decided that it was time to analyze Sugar Shane Mosley’s boxing ability with my expert handicapping scale to see if Mayorga’s words held any weight. Here is a scouting report from a trainer’s perspective on Shane Mosley. The tough talk from Mayorga has held little weight with the oddsmakers who have instilled Mosley at healthy 8-1 chalk.
“Sugar” Shane Mosley has earned the right to be called “Sugar” over his outstanding 14 year career. Mosley entered the pro ranks after posting an eye popping 240-10 amateur record. Mosley debuted in the pro ranks at 135 Lbs. but he has went on to win titles at 135, 147, and 154 Lbs. Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga OVER\UNDER betting proposition is at 9.5 Rounds with the OVER at -140.
In his last bout Mosley was out worked by Puerto Rican Pit Bull Miguel Cotto in a close decision loss 11+ months ago. 21 months ago Mosley dominated the slick boxing contender Luis Collazo by Unanimous decision over 12 rounds. Shane is a smooth boxer that can do it all: Punch to the body inside, counterpunch or box beautifully on the outside with great agility.
“Sugar” has some of the fastest hands in the sport with his machine gun like combinations. Mosley is 37 years old but his conditioning and physical strength are matched by few fighters. At 5'9 Shane has very long arms with his 72 inch reach that he uses to pump sharp jabs from range. Mosley is a master of distance and he knows how to create angles with his pogo stick movement.
Shane has above-average power with both hands but he is not a KO artist. At 37, Mosley is past his prime, and he was accused of using steroids by the federal government which might have given him an unfair edge earlier in his career. Mosley is trained by his father Jack and he has powerful connections with Golden Boy Promotions backing him.
Ricardo Mayorga is boxing’s #1 wildman with his whirlwind fighting style and crazy persona outside the ropes. The Nicaraguan Mayorga, was a gang leader before he was a prizefighter and, in many of Mayorga’s fights he is most effective when he brawls like a street fighter. The last time Ricardo last fought a fighter of Mosley’s caliber Mayorga, faced Oscar De La Hoya in May 2006 as a 3-1 underdog and he was dominated in 6 rounds in a KO loss. Mayorga tested positive for steroids after the fight which apparently did not help his performance. A trainer I have talked to that used to train the slugger told me that despite Mayorga’s technical deficiencies he had the heaviest hands he had ever felt on the punch mitts, heavyweights included.
Ricardo also has a good set of whiskers but his wide shots make his defense almost non existent at times. Mayorga is a mean fighter in the ring and he throws every punch with 100% force. Guys that fight the “El Matador” walk on egg shells knowing that one mistake can result in them blinking through a concussion. Ricardo has immense physical strength but his stamina is below-average with his bad habits of smoking and drinking .
The Nicaraguan power-hitter has a puncher’s chance at +650 odds. Mosley is the faster, sharper fighter but, “Sugar” Shane may have lost some sweetness at age-37.
Shane Mosley vs Ricardo Mayorga Boxing Betting Odds
Mosley -800\ -1000
Mayorga +550\+650
Shane Mosley Power Ratings 1-10 Marchetti Scale
*Power: 7 (* indicates x200%)
Size: 6
Speed: 8
Stamina: 9
Defense: 7
Chin: 8
Cuts: 8
Heart: 9
Legs: 8
Jab\Reach: 7
In-Fighting: 8
Ring IQ: 8
Marchetti Rating: 10.0
Tale-of-the-Tape for Shane Mosley
From: Pomona, California
Height: 5'8
Weight: 147-154
Reach: 72
Age: 37
Style: Slickster\Volume Puncher
Best Punch: Straight Right
Ricardo Mayorga Power Ratings 1-10 Marchetti Scale
*Power: 9 (* indicates x200%)
Size: 7
Speed: 5
Stamina: 5
Defense: 5
Chin: 8
Cuts: 7
Heart: 7
Legs: 5
Jab\Reach: 5
In-Fighting: 8
Ring IQ: 6
Marchetti Rating: 8.8
Tale-of-the-Tape for Ricardo Mayorga
From: Nicaragua
Height: 5'9
Weight: 166
Reach: 69
Age: 34
Style: Brawler
Best Punch: Right-Cross
