Shane Mosley Will Pick Apart Ricardo Mayorga

It’ll be like taking candy from a baby, when "Sugar" Shane Mosley, 44-5 (37 KO), takes on Ricardo "El Matador" Mayorga, 29-6-1 (23 KO, this Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA in a 12-round junior middleweight bout.

Nearly every time that Mayorga has stepped up in competition, Vernon Forrest notwithstanding, he has either been outboxed (by Cory Spinks) or knocked senseless (by Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya). And no, Mayorga’s victories against "chinny" Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis and Fernando "El Feroz" Vargas do not count for much. The former was an unproven titlist and the latter was way past his prime when Mayorga fought him. His matchup with Mosley has the potential to be the most embarrassing loss of his career.

Mosley has advantages in boxing skills, chin (he’s never been stopped), defense, as well as hand and foot speed. Mayorga’s one edge may be power, but I even wonder about that at this late stage of his career. There is a slight chance that Mosley shows his age and puts on a listless performance (he’s done it before against lesser fighters like David Estrada and Jose Luis Cruz), making the fight more competitive than expected.  Even if this scenario occurs, I still do not see Mayorga lasting more than eight rounds.

Although Mosley is known for his accurate and powerful overhand right, look for him to borrow a tool from the De La Hoya and Trinidad arsenals, and utilize a left hook to fell Mayorga.  El Matador will not be able to dodge it.

Shane Mosley Via 8th Round KO Over Ricardo Mayorga