What controversy? Mosley earned the title
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By Tim Struby
Special to ESPN.com
Redemption, they called it, and redemption it was.
Super Fights in Las Vegas always attracts a bold-type crowd, and Saturday's sellout was no exception. There was Magic and Tiger, Ashton and Demi, Lennox and Kobe (both of whom were greeted with a less-than-small smattering of boos). It was all pomp and pageantry at the MGM -- flesh flashing, jewels shimmering, and an L.A.-esque crowd there to witness two bold-type names themselves, Shane and Oscar.
Yet there was not the ravenous, bloodthirsty air that swirls around certain fights, such as Tyson-Holyfield II or De La Hoya-Vargas, but more of an energetic, expectant vibe that you find at the Super Bowl (with the flair and fashion of a Mary J. Blige concert). It had much to do with the combatants themselves -- paradigms of class and respect, practitioners at the utmost level of the sport.
Predictions? The swarms of boxing experts on hand sounded like a bunch of economists -- nobody was sure of an answer.
"I think it's going to be a draw," said ESPN's Max Kellerman, merely proving how tough it was to forecast a winner.
Their immense respect for one another kept the action slow at the start, but by the fourth round, the two fighters worked carefully and craftily, slipping and shooting, like maestros conducting a symphony in the ring. The crowd got impatient at times, and even a vigilant Joe Cortez prompted them to mix it up as the action waned.
"Give 'em the business, baby!" yelled actor Larenz Tate to Mosley.
According to all three judges, Mosley did just that with a 115-113 victory.
There was no scent of foul play, unfair treatment, but only of a closely fought bout.
For Oscar, the future is uncertain.
"I think he'll retire," former HBO guru Lou DiBella said. "He's a man of his word."
That's what he pledged to do, yet it's easier said than done. For the biggest draw and one of the biggest talents, it will be tough to forgo the adulation, and tougher to give up what he does best.
And the Golden Boy is HBO's Golden Goose, and he has a myriad of options considering his performance did not tarnish his luster (yet there was a much ballyhooed stink on HBO that he did in fact win the fight). There are millions still out there for him in the form of a Vargas rematch, a Bernard Hopkins bout, and even a third attempt to rid himself of the monkey on his back in the shape of Shane Mosley.
As for Mosley, the victory is certainly redemptive. It has resuscitated a career that, a day ago, was a 2½-to-1 bet that salad days were over. Vernon Forrest merely had his number, much like he clearly has De La Hoya's. Options are aplenty, too. On the horizon lie Vargas and a promise to top challenger Winkie Wright. And although he will never garner the purses the Golden Boy brings in, Mosley ran relish the notion that in a matter of 36 minutes he has rebuilt a career and a life. And just in case he doubts it, he can just listen to the cheers of the bold-type names at ringside. He has won them all back.
Tim Struby is a contributor for ESPN The Magazine.
http://msn.espn.go.com/boxing/s/2003/0913/1615580.html
[This message was edited by Boxing Freak on September 14, 2003 at 02:16 PM.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Tim Struby
Special to ESPN.com
Redemption, they called it, and redemption it was.
Super Fights in Las Vegas always attracts a bold-type crowd, and Saturday's sellout was no exception. There was Magic and Tiger, Ashton and Demi, Lennox and Kobe (both of whom were greeted with a less-than-small smattering of boos). It was all pomp and pageantry at the MGM -- flesh flashing, jewels shimmering, and an L.A.-esque crowd there to witness two bold-type names themselves, Shane and Oscar.
Yet there was not the ravenous, bloodthirsty air that swirls around certain fights, such as Tyson-Holyfield II or De La Hoya-Vargas, but more of an energetic, expectant vibe that you find at the Super Bowl (with the flair and fashion of a Mary J. Blige concert). It had much to do with the combatants themselves -- paradigms of class and respect, practitioners at the utmost level of the sport.
Predictions? The swarms of boxing experts on hand sounded like a bunch of economists -- nobody was sure of an answer.
"I think it's going to be a draw," said ESPN's Max Kellerman, merely proving how tough it was to forecast a winner.
Their immense respect for one another kept the action slow at the start, but by the fourth round, the two fighters worked carefully and craftily, slipping and shooting, like maestros conducting a symphony in the ring. The crowd got impatient at times, and even a vigilant Joe Cortez prompted them to mix it up as the action waned.
"Give 'em the business, baby!" yelled actor Larenz Tate to Mosley.
According to all three judges, Mosley did just that with a 115-113 victory.
There was no scent of foul play, unfair treatment, but only of a closely fought bout.
For Oscar, the future is uncertain.
"I think he'll retire," former HBO guru Lou DiBella said. "He's a man of his word."
That's what he pledged to do, yet it's easier said than done. For the biggest draw and one of the biggest talents, it will be tough to forgo the adulation, and tougher to give up what he does best.
And the Golden Boy is HBO's Golden Goose, and he has a myriad of options considering his performance did not tarnish his luster (yet there was a much ballyhooed stink on HBO that he did in fact win the fight). There are millions still out there for him in the form of a Vargas rematch, a Bernard Hopkins bout, and even a third attempt to rid himself of the monkey on his back in the shape of Shane Mosley.
As for Mosley, the victory is certainly redemptive. It has resuscitated a career that, a day ago, was a 2½-to-1 bet that salad days were over. Vernon Forrest merely had his number, much like he clearly has De La Hoya's. Options are aplenty, too. On the horizon lie Vargas and a promise to top challenger Winkie Wright. And although he will never garner the purses the Golden Boy brings in, Mosley ran relish the notion that in a matter of 36 minutes he has rebuilt a career and a life. And just in case he doubts it, he can just listen to the cheers of the bold-type names at ringside. He has won them all back.
Tim Struby is a contributor for ESPN The Magazine.
http://msn.espn.go.com/boxing/s/2003/0913/1615580.html
[This message was edited by Boxing Freak on September 14, 2003 at 02:16 PM.]
