--Miguel Cotto vs. Sugar Shane Mosley--
By Boxing Times Staff
San Francisco, California--
Undefeated WBA world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is set to square off with former four-time world champion Shane Mosley, on Saturday November 10, from Madison Square Garden in New York. The 12-round world welterweight title fight will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT.
WBA welterweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto (30-0, 25 KO's) Caguas, Puerto Rico. 27-years-old, 5'8", 147 pounds, trained and managed by Evangelista Cotto.
Style: Cotto has a way of turning out the lights by separating opponents from their livers and other internal organs. Cotto can be best described as a classic boxer-puncher. Cotto is armed with the very best left hook to the body since Julio Cesar Chavez and Mike McCallum were turning opponent's midsections into grits. Cotto will come right at you, feinting and jabbing while always looking to pull the trigger on his dramatic left hook. When he is in full rhythm; Cotto will double up on the hook and also crack you with a nasty right hand upstairs.
Significant Fights: This past June in Madison Square Garden, with blood pouring from a cut in his mouth and over his right eye, Cotto was relentless in defending his crown and scoring a brutal and bloody 11th round TKO over Zab Judah. The champion strayed south of the border twice in the 1st and the 3rd rounds with low blows that sent Judah to the deck in agony and the champion lost a point following the second stomach churning foul. Nevertheless, Cotto continued his assault against the former undisputed 147-pound champion and repeatedly outmuscled and ripped into Judah with stunning left jabs, riveting short right crosses and enough body shots to make most ringsiders wince. With the pro-Cotto crowd at the Garden chanting his name, the 26-year-old WBA king pummeled the challenger with wicked volleys and forced Judah to take a knee with little over a minute to go in the ninth round. Judah attempted to return fire but Cotto's withering fire floored the challenger flat on his back early in the 11th, with a sharp right hand to the head followed by a neck snapping left uppercut to the jaw. Moment's later, after catching the Brooklyn southpaw on the ropes with several more scalding shots including a searing left uppercut to the head followed by a clubbing left hook to the skull, referee Arthur Mercante Jr. jumped between the boxers to save Judah from any further punishment.
This past March in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cotto scored a strange TKO victory over the veteran German Oktay Urkal proving once more the open scoring is not the way to go in professional boxing. The WBA welterweight champion, Cotto repeatedly hammered the 37-year-old German around the ring but he was unable to drop the challenger. Trailing badly on points and penalized for repeatedly using his head in close quarters, Urkal's evening ended when his trainer Ulli Wegner climbed up on the ring apron waving a white towel. Fully aware that Urkal would be unable to beat the champion because he knew the score, Wegner surrendered and ended the 147-pound title fight in a move that could only be described as anticlimactic. The Puerto Rican boxing officials announced the scores to the crowd following the 4th and the 8th rounds, much to the dismay and consternation of anyone with a wit of boxing experience, or expertise. Cotto dominated the action with body shots and set the stage for his showdown with the ex-titleholder Zab Judah. Carlos Quintana (TKO 5), Paul Malignaggi (UD 12), Gianluca Branco (TKO
, Ricardo Torres (KO 7), Mohamad Abdulaev (TKO 9), DeMarcus Corley (TKO 5), Randall Bailey (TKO 6), Kelson Pinto (TKO 6), Lovemore N'dou (UD 12), Victoriano Sosa (TKO 4), Carlos Maussa (TKO
, Demetrio Ceballos (TKO 7), and Cesar Bazan (TKO 11).
Strength: Cotto has poise, talent and a tremendous left hook. He can jab, move and set you up to get extra leverage on that digging hook by leaning just a little to his left. Against Judah all of Cotto's skills were on display and the result was a commanding victory that had a number of boxing insiders nodding their heads in appreciation. In his two fights prior to the victory over Malignaggi, against Kelson Pinto and Randall Bailey, Cotto displayed outstanding combinations and showed power in both hands. Look for short chopping right hands on the inside. While he might not have classic knockout power, if he hits you just right on the liver it is all over but the ten-count. Only five of Cotto's fights have gone the distance and two of those bouts were four-rounders, when he was just starting his pro career.
Weakness: While Cotto's defense is improving he still gets tagged a fair amount because he is so intent on landing shots. Compounding the champion's problems is that he has a history of getting cut over both eyes and that is always a factor against a sharpshooter like Mosley. When Cotto defeated Urkal he suffered a fairly deep cut over his left eye the result of a headbutt. Cotto's defense at best is just a little above average. More than a few of his fights have all turned into wars and in the long run that usually makes for a short career. Cotto was on the deck against Torres and he also got drilled by Corley before the fight was eventually stopped. Cotto can be hit and he's been buzzed a few times, however, he is so focused that he seemingly just powers himself through opponents.
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Former lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight world champion “Sugar" Shane Mosley (44-4, 1 NC, 37 KO's) Pomona, California. 36-years-old, 5'9", 147-pounds, trained and managed by his father Jack Mosley.
Style: Mosley is a product of his father's “power boxing" mantra. Basically Mosley is boxer/puncher with the emphasis on punching. Mosley can still fire wicked combinations and land with authority and despite the fact he is in his mid-30's, he is always in outstanding condition and is an extremely gifted athlete. In the past, going up in weight Mosley placed a greater importance on punching with power; nevertheless he is a far more effective moving, boxing and throwing precise combos. Throughout much of his career his bread and butter has been based on his speed and reflexes.
Significant Fights: This past February, the former 135, 147 and 154-pound world champion Mosley used his arsenal of counter right hands and laser-like left hooks to pound out a dominating 12 round unanimous decision over boxing's version of the “Illustrated Man" Luis Collazo. At the end of the evening there were a lot more purple and red welts on Collazo's face, midsection and neck to go along with a torso that is covered in so many tattoos it was like watching twenty images getting hit at once. Mosley dropped the off balance Collazo to the deck in the 11th, with a scalding counter right hand to the jaw. The former WBA welterweight king Collazo could only shake his head and climb off the floor adorned in a body that looked like your Aunt Polly's quilt. Mosley simply was the busier fighter the entire evening and repeatedly either beat Collazo to the punch, or countered with such authority it was difficult to give the Brooklyn welterweight more than one or two rounds. With the victory, Mosley was awarded the dubious title of interim WBC welterweight champion but that was only a transparent attempt by yet another boxing organization to shake down someone for more sanctioning fees. Judge Adalaide Byrd scored the contest 119-108, while Duane Ford and Nobuaki Uratani both tallied 118-109, all for Mosley.
In July 2006, it was the classic be careful what you ask for, because sometimes it arrives unexpectedly in the form of a gift-wrapped 10-ounce blood red Cleto Reyes boxing glove. Faster hands and a trip hammer left hook proved to be the difference as Mosley scored a one-sided 6th round TKO in his rematch with former junior middleweight king Fernando "Ferocious" Vargas. That previous February, Mosley registered a brutal 10th round TKO over Vargas, after rocketing enough right hands off his skull to render his left eye the size of an overripe Crenshaw melon. Vargas complained the damage was caused by headbutts and maneuvered for a rematch, however, on this occasion he fell victim to a punch he never saw coming. Once again forced to make weight to tip the Toledo's at 154-pounds, the melted down Vargas fought the entire bout as if he were throwing punches underwater. The 34-year-old former world champion Mosley responded by ripping Vargas with wicked shots from the opening bell and dominating the contest over the first five rounds. In the 6th, Mosley measured and then floored Vargas with a searing counter left hook to the jaw. The star of the La Colonia Gym in Oxnard, California hit the deck with such force that he actually bounced and got some air before gravity interceded in the normal fashion. Flat on his back Vargas struggled and then stumbled to rise before staggering to his feet at the count of seven. Back on his heels, Vargas was easy prey as Mosley ripped into the wounded fighter with another five-shot volley of left hooks and chopping right hands to the head. With Vargas still upright but in essence out on his feet, referee Kenny Bayless wisely called a halt to the proceedings and awarded Mosley at TKO victory at 2:38 of the sixth round. Savage left hooks to the body tend to be a great equalizer, especially from a former world champion that some boxing insiders had written off.
In September 2005, the former world champion Mosley was back in action at his preferred poundage of 147 and he kept his big payday hopes alive by scoring a unanimous ten round win over Jose Luis Cruz. The previously undefeated Cruz might have the unusual distinction of being one of the slowest and most awkward welters in recent memory. Coupled with his granite like chin and his ability to withstand a punch and you had the entire makings for a disaster. Nevertheless, Mosley prevailed and the Oscar De La Hoya Golden Boy promoted fighter could breathe a sigh of relief and move on to their next opponent. Judge Chuck Giampa scored the bout 96-94, while C.J. Ross had it 97-93 and Duane Ford tallied 98-92, all for Mosley. In April 2005 Mosley returned to the ring for the first time since losing his previous two fights to Winky Wright and pounded out an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over David Estrada. The ex-world champ dropped back down to the 147-pound limit and easily handled the overmatched Estrada, who is co-trained by the legendary Angelo Dundee. Mosley dominated the scoring on all three judges' scorecards to win the fight going away. Judge Dave Moretti scored it 98-91, while Chuck Giampa tallied 97-93, as did the third official Richard Houck. Mosley hurt Estrada in the third round with a rib rattling left hook to the midsection. Mosley continued to target the younger fighter's body in the fourth round and twice he nailed Estrada with punishing shots that almost doubled up the Chicago native and forced him to retreat. Mosley would go on to hammer away at Estrada for the rest of the evening and ice the victory.
Mosley first captured the IBF lightweight title by scoring a convincing 12 round decision over South African Phillip Holiday in August 1997. He successfully defended his title eight times (Manuel Gomez KO 11, Demetrio Ceballos KO 8, Juan Molina TKO 8, Wilfredo Ruiz KO 5, Eduardo Morales TKO 5, Jesse James Leija TKO 9, Golden Johnson KO 7, John Brown TKO
before stepping up and fighting at the welterweight limit. Mosley scored a hard fought 10th round TKO over Wilfredo Rivera. In June 2000, utilizing feints, speed, quickness, and crafty head and shoulder movement, Mosley outhustled the "Golden Boy" to earn a 12-round split decision and capture Oscar De La Hoya's WBC welterweight crown. Mosley took De La Hoya out of his game plan early in the first round by nailing the champion with searing right hands over his left jab. Nevertheless, De La Hoya came back to control a number of the early rounds but his stiff left jab was absent for most of the night. Mosley darted in and out through most of the fight creating angles and continually burping De La Hoya with short, compact six-inch shots that tattooed the champion's ribs from the fourth round to the final bell. Mosley simply worked harder while De La Hoya pressured the challenger by moving straight forward and loading up with a number of his shots. With 20,000 fans screaming their approval, Mosley turned up the heat over the last three rounds to secure the victory. Judge Lou Flippo gave the nod to Mosley, 116-112. However, Marty Sammon scored the bout for De La Hoya, 115-113. The final call went to judge Pat Russell, who tallied, 115-113, for Mosley.
Mosley defended the WBC crown (Antonio Diaz TKO 6, Shannan Taylor TKO 6, Adrian Stone KO 3) before losing a bitter 12 round decision to Vernon Forrest, in January 2002. The man billed as the best fighter in the sport came in dry, hit the deck twice in the second round, and ended up fighting the rest of the night back on his heels. Former amateur rival Forrest still seemed to have Mosley's number. The fighter, who once defeated Mosley at the 1992 Olympic Trials, staged a tremendous upset by scoring a 12 round unanimous decision over boxing's best pound-for-pound titleholder. Forrest caught Mosley with a wicked uppercut followed by a brutal combination in the second round to floor the champion for the first time in his career. Late in the same round, Forrest dropped Mosley again with a straight right hand to the chin. The bell saved Mosley but that only prolonged the agony as the tall, rangy welter from Augusta, Georgia dominated the rest of the fight. Mosley would lose the rematch with Forrest via a 12 round decision and then fight a three round “No Contest" with Raul Marquez, after Marquez suffered a brutal cut from an accidental clash of heads. Mosley got back in track by stepping up in weight to the 154-pound limit and scoring another 12 round win over Oscar De La Hoya to win the WBC & WBA junior middleweight crowns. However in March 2004, challenger Ronald “Winky" Wright soundly outpointed Mosley. Both times that Mosley squared off with Wright, he simply was overmatched by a bigger, stronger, and some would say faster man.
Strength: Mosley has the ability to pull the trigger and hit the mark quickly. He is very adept at landing right hand counters off long left jabs, and that is one of the key reasons why he was able to defeat Oscar De La Hoya in both of their encounters. Mosley doesn't have one-punch knockout power but he can and will crack you with both hands. He throws two-three, and four-punch combos with precision and intensity. Adding to his arsenal, Mosley is a simply a brutal body puncher. Left hooks to the ribs and liver followed by sharp right hands under the heart are his stock and trade. If you can't keep Mosley off of you, he will eat your soul on the inside.
Weakness: Despite a world of talent and an excellent work ethic, Mosley continues to slow down. He still throws rapid-fire combinations but they lack the crackling power that was often evident a little earlier in his career. Mosley lacks the firepower to keep Cotto from working in close quarters and hammering away with those wicked left hooks. There was a time when Mosley had the wheels to score his shots and then keep moving but at 36 he has slowed down just enough for Cotto to cut off the ring and land his heavy artillery.
Prediction: This is a compelling fight with a future Hall Of Fame boxer taking on one of the best young champions in the sport. If this bout had taken place a few years ago, well, we would have predicted a different outcome. However, no one defeats the calendar not even guys destined to be enshrined in Canastota. Look for Mosley to land sharp, crisp combinations early and maybe even, bust up or cut Cotto. However, the champion will eventually catch up with the challenger and blasts away with enough scalding left hooks for Mosley's hands to come down and then Cotto will shift his attack upstairs. Cotto has a very underrated jab that is like getting hit with a barroom door coupled with molar rattling short right hands on the inside. The champion is the mean barber in the third chair that everyone avoids if they're smart. We are picking Miguel Cotto by ninth round TKO.
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