BoxRec

I see the sportsbooks in the States make Oscar De La Hoya a pretty big favourite to avenge his loss to Shane Mosley. I must say I agree with the odds. The warm-up fight Oscar had with Campas recently gives him a big edge over Mosley, whose own warm-up fight with Marquez ended too abruptly to sharpen him up and to adjust him to his new weight.

I can't wait, dontcha just love big fight week?! the week leading up to De La Hoya-Vargas Foxsports news on Sky Sports did a daily round-up and interviews from Big Bear, hopefully they'll do it again for this classic encounter.
I see Oscar winning too, but not a big favourite, after 12 rounds I see him being the winner by a close but clear decision.
He's a whole new kettle of fish now compared to the crouching, plodding, cornerless pugilist that Shane edged that warm June night back in 2000.

Probably worth a couple of quid on Mosely IMO. What were the prices? Might check it out myself.

I actually go for a DLH win in this one but surely if Mosely is a big outsider he's the value bet? I mean, track record says they fought once, Mosely won. Funny sport this.

It would say a lot for De La Hoya's longevity if he turns Mosely over, he was winning titles before Sugar Shane, was defeated by Mosely who seemed to then gain impetus in terms of P4P ratings (it's my time), before the pendulum swings back in Oscar's favour who many seem to feel is now at his peak!

Obviously resuming their rivalry at Junior-Middleweight favours Oscar I suppose but even so, he's had some career.

I'm going for Mosley. Just a gut feeling. I think psychologically Oscar is going to think he can't hang with Mosley in the hand and foot speed depertment's after the first fight, and he's going to be doing a lot of trading and in fighting. Oscar still has dazzling hand speed, but his foot speed has deterioated under the tuition of Mayweather, as they attempt to make him more of a two fisted puncher.
Mosley on the other hand, if fully prepared (mentally too) I just feel has an extra dimension to his boxing.

We'll see though, should be agreat fight.
One problem though...On Sunday I have my first football game of the season at 10:30 am.
Question: Do I stay up till' 4-5 am in the morning to watch the fight live?

Tape it then get up an hour early for football and watch it before leaving.

I'm not sure either. Can't even seem to get to grips with what kind of fight it's going to be.
I felt Oscar let it slip in the last fight and has a bit more left in the tank than Shane, who I felt looked shocking against Forrest, both times. His legs don't seem the same and at the higher weight I think Oscar will be too strong for him, but then again, I can see a much better Mosley, having known he can outspeed Oscar and hang in the trenches with him when he has to, outboxing the slower of foot De La Hoya.

Just hope it's a great fight, that's the most important thing I suppose and their styles meshed well last time. Now they're a bit older, it might not be as good from a pure boxing point of view, but with so much on the line, they'll both be fighting their hearts out.

Something in the back of my mind keeps dragging me towards thinking that De La Hoya will outbox Shane and win on points or even a late stoppage.

Mr lightsoot has Mosley winning but to me it's De La Hoya all the way. IMO neither is the fighter they were a few years back but in 2003 at 154 it's Oscar who has the most left.

One of Sugar Shanes best qualities used to be his ultra high level of sustained intensity in the ring. I just don't see that anymore, and against Marquez he looked almost "found out" style wise. I know he was probably on his way to winning but he wasn't dominating like he once would have done against a lesser opponent. And if he can't dominate Marquez he can't dominate De La Hoya IMO.

Mosley will drop a brave UD on saturday night but I can't wait for the introductions!

Should be a good one, a genuine Big Fight and about time too.

Undercard looks ok too, Johnston doesn't exactly set the world on fire but his Mexican opponent will probably try for a war. And Cotto is already taking on better fighters than Hatton.

I think Oscar will have watched the Forrest fights closely, and will look to do the same thing all night: keep Shane at distance with the jab.

ODH to win on points for me, but he might even grind him down late if he dominates from early on.

I still think if DLH had a competent corner, he could have won the first fight. He didn't adapt to Mosely's style till it was too late to do anything. With his new corner, better warm up fight, and increased training, I am posititive he will win by late TKO or a UD.

DLH might not be quite as good as he used to be, but Mosely has SERIOUSLY gone downhill since then. If he, by some miracle, beats DLH, then it's time for the Golden Boy to retire.

Dave1armedTua wrote:I still think if DLH had a competent corner, he could have won the first fight. He didn't adapt to Mosely's style till it was too late to do anything. With his new corner, better warm up fight, and increased training, I am posititive he will win by late TKO or a UD.

DLH might not be quite as good as he used to be, but Mosely has SERIOUSLY gone downhill since then. If he, by some miracle, beats DLH, then it's time for the Golden Boy to retire.

I both agree and disagree. I'm with you on the point that Oscar was basically on his own in the fight, he was winning until Shane made some adjustments and started switching and moving.
When all's said and done it's quite amazing how much De La Hoya achieved with Alcazar in his corner! (granted he had various input from the likes of Steward, Clancy, Rivero, Ortiz)
I disagree that Mosley has seriously regressed. Forrest basically knew how to beat him and the Marquez fight wasn't as bad as peple seem to make out.

What examples are they of fighters losing a close fight to win the return?

Gatti-Ward; Ali-Frazier; Bowe-Holyfield...

Great fight and intriguing rematch. I will personally be staying up all night in my mates boozer with a few other big fights fans - should be great.

If I can find a price for Mosely on points 2 - 1 or longer I will definitly put a few quid on him. The reason being that Mosely's natural edge in handspeed is always going to be problematic to DLH.

When Oscar feels a round is slipping away from him, he likes to flurry with an eye catching burst of punches to regain control and momentum, not to mention sending the crowd into raptures. Here, as before, Mosely will be the one winging hard fast shots to both body and head in bursts.

Mosely will hopefully have sharpened his defence and will stand less square on then recently, to minimise the number of punches he takes trying to get to the body of the taller man.

If Mosely can execute his game plan correctly, I feel he can once again bea the Golden Boy. Of course, a lot is dependent on how much he has left, both after the move up in weight, and the Forrest debacles.

I am going for DLH on this one but i still think Sugar Shane will put up
a good show and we should not look to much into his defeats to Forrest.

I really think DLH is going to edge this one out but it will be tight maybe even a split decision but def points.

Shane will be trying to hard to utilise his speed and win that i dont so things coming off for him to well style wise,whilst DLH is confident and boxing well and will come off the jab to trade in short spurts and hope to use his naturally larger frame to impose his will on Mosely.

All in all an excellent match up and we are all in for a treat!

HH

Fate Favors Mosley

By Chris Cozzone

You can factor in speed, size, a bum hand and a psychological edge from recent wins.

Or you can take the oddsmakers’ betting lines favoring the “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya (36-2, 29 KOs) over the now-tarnished, 2-to-1 underdog “Sugar” Shane Mosley (38-2-0-1, 35 KOs).

But if the Sept. 13 rematch between De La Hoya and Mosley follows the current trend, we could be looking at an upset—which shouldn’t really be deemed an upset if it happens, considering that Mosley has already beaten De La Hoya.

Consider fate:

Mosley loses to Vernon Forrest in the amateurs. When they meet in the pros, in back-to-back fights, both in 2001, it’s Forrest again—Forrest rises to the top of the pound-for-pound chain while Mosley sinks.

Styles make fights, they say.

That’s proven true when the undefeated Forrest, fresh off his triumphs over Mosley, gets pounded down by brawlin’ Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga—not once, but twice, in back-to-back losses.

Mosley couldn’t take Forrest; Forrest couldn’t take Mayorga.

With half of it in the books, we now return to Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya.

As a 75-pound amateur and then, later, as a professional, three years ago at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Mosley beat De La Hoya. The (pre-Forrest) win cemented Mosley’s legacy while chipping away at De La Hoya’s.

The signs for a repeat performance may already be surfacing.

Two weeks ago, De La Hoya revealed that his hand was having problems, and he took a few days off sparring. A week later, in a national teleconference, he assured the media:

“I guarantee you my hand will be 100 percent for Mosley."

De La Hoya had surgery on that hand almost two years ago.

"There's no hiding I have a bad hand . . . But I'm very, very motivated for this fight. It's like training all over again for one of my first fights."

Whether it may appear that he’s lining up excuses, since his loss to Mosley, De La Hoya has been unbeatable. Moving up from welterweight nine months after his loss, De La Hoya warmed up with the beating he gave Arturo Gatti in March 2001, then went right to a title fight in June, unseating WBC jr. middle champ Javier Castillejo.

After another nine month layoff, De La Hoya regained star status with a brutal 11th round knockout over Fernando Vargas, then kept active with a “sparring session” TKO over a badly-outmatched Yory Boy Campas earlier this year, right about the time when the rematch with Mosley was announced.

Face it, Mosley was the only fight De La Hoya has ever really lost. Although he was criticized for running during the final rounds of his fight with Felix Trinidad in 1999, most critics thought he had enough rounds in the bank to win a safe decision, myself included. Instead, it became De La Hoya’s first professional loss.

No doubt about it, De La Hoya is looking better and better, and could end up the greatest fighter of our time.

Then again, we were saying that about Mosley before his two losses to Forrest.

While De La Hoya carries the psychological edge, Mosley is coming off those two straight defeats and an unimpressive (for as long as it lasted) no-contest to Raul Marquez earlier this year—which was Mosley’s first fight at 154. The fight was stopped in the 3rd due to injuries sustained in an unintentional headbutt.

Mosley has not won a fight in over two years now.

In addition, the De La Hoya vs. Mosley I wasn’t exactly a runaway decision. While two judges scored it for Mosley (116-112 and 115-113), the third had it for De La Hoya (115-113).

This time, though, Mosley says it won’t be close.

“I'm faster, stronger and have the tools to beat him," Mosley said last week in a teleconference. "I'm not looking to win a close fight."

Whether it ends up a split decision or a one-sided flogging, there’s one thing you can count on—no matter who wins on Sept. 13, there will be plenty of career-defining fights for both the winner or loser.

Unlike the heavyweight division, the welterweight and junior middleweight divisions are teeming with top talent.

Besides De La Hoya and Mosley, you also have jr. welter king Ricardo Mayorga, former champs Vernon Forrest and Fernando Vargas, not to mention a host of beltholders and contenders worth watching; a list that includes Antonio Margarito, Corey Spinks (set to fight Mayorga in November), Daniel Santos, Winky Wright and J.C. Candelo.

Boxing’s big money, big stake fights will be found in the 147-154 division.

Speaking of money, De La Hoya will be taking home a hefty $12 million while Mosley, despite winning the first fight, gets $4.5 million—another $500,000 should he win.

Says Mosley:

“If Oscar thinks his hand hurts now, wait until I beat him again on Sept. 13, and he has to reach into his pocket and pay me $500,000 from his purse.''

4 days left! Everyone got their bets placed?

Sky are also going to show the Freitas-Barrios fight from Texas which was a mini classic!

Come on Oscar!!!

My interest in boxing has been waning dramatically of late and this is just the kind of fight to get my (metaphorical) juices flowing!!!!

I think that ODLH is a perfect demonstration of the lessons he has learnt from Mosley - just look at the timing of this fight - if Mosley had waited just a few more fights before his renatch with Forrest - he would have maybe had to deal with a twice beaten (possible) shell of the former fighter - which is exactly what Oscar will be facing IMO.

I see Oscar dominating Mosley beginning to end - really bulling him around and possibly stopping him late. Having said that I won't be surprised to see a close points win for ODLH - I will be genuinely surprised if Mosley wins.

My poor brainwashed De La Hoya friends

Here is my take:

I’m not prepared to accept that Shane Mosley has regressed as much as his critics would have us believe following his back to back losses to Vernon Forrest. Undoubtedly Oscar De La Hoya is the man in form. However, predictable wins over Gatti, Castillejo, Campas and a titanic battle with a faded Fernando Vargas, have done nothing to convince me that he can deal with Mosley’s speed and boxing skills second time around. Crucially this fight could hinge on the fighter who possesses the most desire. Despite De La Hoya being desperate to put the record straight, I feel that having being written off by many, it is Mosley who is the hungrier of the two. Mosley by split decision.

Naturally if Sugar Shane gets his backside handed to him, I'll be back on here Monday morning to take my stick. But if he wins I'm gonna love watching you boys eat some humble pie !!! :P

Not sure if I have posted my pick here, you better bake a piece for me Lightsoot.

DLH KO 10.

De La Hoya one of the most complete fighters in the last twenty years.
Oscar on points.

Just like the readers and boxing celebrities, SecondsOut staff are devided down the middle as to the outcome of the eagerly awaited Oscar De La Hoya vs Shane Mosley rematch from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas tonight. Cable broadcaster HBO screen the fight live on Pay Per View at 9pm ET and 6pm PT

This is a fight that can go either way, it is that close. Both are tremendous athletes with excellent skills. I would not be surprised if the outcome was a draw but if I had to lean towards either it would be Oscar.

De La Hoya lost first time around but one gets the feeling that he would have fought this rematch for nothing just to get his revenge. He will be hyped up for this fight like never before. Also, this fight is at the higher weight class and will suit Oscar better than Shane.

Yes, Oscar on points in a real close fight, that would set up the rubber match very nicely.

De La Hoya w pts

Clive Bernath

Editor

People are reading too much into Shane's Vernon Forrest fights. I don't think Shane is shot, nor anything like it and, moreover, I had ‘Sugar’ winning the rematch.

At junior middleweight, I think both men will be punching a little hard while not being able to move quite as fast - so I am half expecting a KO. After re-watching the first DLH v SSM fight, I go for Mosley on a late stoppage or close points decision.

Mosley wins late

Ant Evans

Assistant Editor

When this fight was first announced, my initial reaction was De La Hoya would win on points. But after many sleepless nights, thinking about it some more and listening to both fighters, I'm going to flip flop and pick Mosley on points over the distance. No disrespect to Oscar, but I just have the feeling that 'Sugar' Shane has the style to beat the 'Golden Boy'. It will be close, but I see Shane's advantage in speed and movement being the difference. What De La Hoya faced against Vargas and Campas will not prepare him in any way for what Mosley brings to the ring. I was concerned about Mosley's confidence level coming into the fight after his losses to Vernon Forrest, but ultimately, when the bell rings for the beginning of the first round, Mosley will be looking across the ring at a man he has already beaten.

Mosley w pts 12.

Paul Upham.

Contributing Editor

De La Hoya's left wrist is a true wild card heading into De La Hoya-Mosley.Fighting at 154lbs won't make Mosley's punches appreciably slower, but he's likely to be in hitting range more often over the first eight rounds than he was in 2000. Oscar needs to punch straighter than he did the first time. And Mosley needs to work the body earlier. I expect both of those things to happen.If the other definable 'tangibles' are utilized by both fighters, this fight comes down to a war of attrition and sheer grit. We didn't find out if either could hurt the other in 2000, but we are about to!

De La Hoya TKO10 Mosley

Patrick Kehoe

Contributing Editor-SecondsOut.com

Oscar by decision

Thomas Hauser

New York, USA

I have to go with De La Hoya. He has continued to improve since teaming up with Mayweather Snr. I expect him to win by a late stoppage or on points. Wayne McCullough,

Las Vegas Columnist and former WBC bantamweight champion

This fight should have been fought three years ago when both fighters were closer to their respective primes. The fact that it is being made now after Mosely had been thoroughly beaten twice by Vernon Forrest and held to a no decision against the semi retired Raul Marquez makes the timing seem quite suspect.

Neither one of these two warriors are what they were three years ago. No one can dispute that. The difference is that Oscar is closer to his prime years then the recently twice beaten Shane is to his. He has also added a few new "wrinkles" to his arsenal along with a new trainer that weren't there during the last match-up; a solid right hand and better defense. Shane on the other hand has not made any improvements and in fact has not shown any of his former greatness which led to his past victory over Oscar.

De La Hoya w pts

David Surgick

California, USA

Whatever the reason for Mosley's recent decline, a rejuvenated Oscar has to be the firm favourite here. I feel a rediscovery of his former focus will guide De La Hoya to victory, particularly at poundage which better suits his taller frame. De La Hoya by unanimous decision.

Mark Butcher

Former Editor, SecondsOut. com.

Mosley via a sweet KO in the later rounds.

Ritche Lague,

Philippines.

It will be a chess match just like three years ago. Mayweather’s description of Oscar as a robot at the Staples Center was perfect.

The main difference will be his jab, won't be easy for him to get the distance, but Oscar will get the nod. De La Hoya in a close call.

De La Hoya w pts

Juan Pablo Manfredi

Argentina

I'm not prepared to accept that Shane Mosley has regressed as much as his critics would have us believe following his back to back losses to Vernon Forrest. Undoubtedly Oscar De La Hoya is the man in form. However, predictable wins over Gatti, Castillejo, Campas and a titanic battle with a faded Fernando Vargas, have done nothing to convince me that he can deal with Mosley's speed and boxing skills second time around. Crucially this fight could hinge on the fighter who possesses the most desire. Despite De La Hoya being desperate to put the record straight, I feel that having been written off by many, it is Mosley who is the hungrier of the two. Mosley by split decision.

Mosley w pts 12

Ben Carey

UK

Oscar De La Hoya is an excellent fighter who has faced the best around. But Shane Mosley does everything a little better and I expect this fight to be a repeat of their first meeting.

Mosley w pts

Sange Shetty

UK

I believe that once again Shane Mosley will triumph over De La Hoya. He may have had a rough time with Forrest, twice, but he has the style to upset the odds. Vargas and Campas posed none of the problems De La Hoya will face against 'Sugar' Shane and even with the changes to his style, The 'Golden Boy' will still drop a points decision.

Mosley w pts 12.

Wayne Bartlett

UK

De La Hoya-Mosley II Media Poll




* Kevin Iole, Las Vegas Review Journal - De La Hoya by
decision

"I've wrestled with this pick, but I believe Mosley has greatly regressed and De La Hoya's improved conditioning will be the difference."

* Tim Graham, the Buffalo News and ESPN.com - De La
Hoya by decision

"All things being equal, Shane Mosley probably is a better boxer than Oscar De La Hoya. Sugar Shane proved that three years ago but so much has happened since then. Mosley has been reeling for 25 months, while De La Hoya has notched four victories and 30 quality rounds at 154 pounds."

* Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News - Mosley by
decision

" Oscar is stronger than Mosley but not faster and he
isn't the better boxer."

* John Scheinman, Boxing Digest and Washington Post -
De La Hoya by KO

"Who could argue De La Hoya is not a champion for the
ages? I believe he will find a way to exact his revenge and add to his legend."

* Ramiro Gonzalez, La Opinion - De La Hoya by KO

" Oscar has become more aggressive and the new style
of Mr. Mayweather has applied on him has been positive
and accurate. I believe Mosley is still good but not enough like he used to be."

* Michael Rosenthal, Los Angeles Daily News - De La
Hoya by decision

"De La Hoya and Mosley enter their rematch in entirely different frames of mind from the first time around. De La Hoya was distracted, now, he seems as focused and confident as ever with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. by his side. Mosley hasn't won a fight in more than two years; his confidence must be shaky."

* Frank Lotierzo, ESPN Radio 1450 - De La Hoya by
decision

"I see De La Hoya boxing and using the entire ring. I have not a single doubt that De La Hoya will out-box Mosley in this fight and win a solid decision."

* Dominic Calder-Smith, British Boxing News - De La
Hoya by KO

"I hate to say this because I don't believe history does repeat itself but in Mosley there are echoes of Meldrick Taylor."

* Bob Mladinich, FIST and Gallery magazines - De La
Hoya by decision

"The first fight was very competitive, and the Golden Boy has momentum in his favor for the rematch."

* Steve Farhood, Showtime - De La Hoya by decision

"He won't fight like a statue this time, and the weight is a disadvantage for Shane. Also I can't see Mosley's confidence being as high as it was when he was undefeated."

* John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News - De La Hoya
by decision

" De La Hoya will have trouble with Mosley's speed and
elusiveness, just as in their first fight. The difference being this time, with so much riding on this fight, De La Hoya will find a way to win."

* Tim Smith, New York Daily News - Mosley by decision

"With two guys so evenly matched in skills and talent, the only difference is psychological. Mosley has the edge based on his victory in the first match. Mosley uses his hand speed and footwork to get another split decision."

* Jack Obermayer, Fight Fax - Oscar by decision

"Assuming that his left his okay, I just feel that he is up for the return bout. He's back on track, while Shane is still somewhat derailed."

* Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News - De La
Hoya by decision

"Over two years without a victory, allegations of friction between his wife and his father, and questions about whether his is true a junior middleweight
make Mosley an iffy proposition."

* Carlos Arias, Orange County Register - Mosley by
decision

"Shane beat Oscar in the amateurs and beat him in the pros. Shane's speed gives him the edge and Oscar is open for rights. Shane knows how to beat Oscar and will win a decision."

* Nick Charles, Showtime - De La Hoya by decision

"I can't buy the theory that one great fighter has
another&Mac226;s number. Oscar's become the most complete he's
ever been, which compensates for some of the numbing
power he may have lost as he goes up in weight. Shane,
despite having won the first time out is older and a
bit slower that he was."

* Max Kellerman, ESPN2 - Draw

"I think it's going to be a dog-fight and a fight that can go either way."

* Phil Woolever, Boxing Digest - Mosley by decision

"In a pick 'em fight, go with the hungrier guy. I think that's Mosley."

* Robert Morales, San Gabriel Valley Tribune - De La
Hoya by KO

"Regardless of what Mosley has been saying, I believe his confidence is way down after his two losses to Vernon Forrest. De La Hoya, on the other hand, is very hungry for this victory and is probably full of confidence after his knockout of the hated Fernando Vargas."

Carlos Bojorquez, junior middleweight contender – Oscar by decision. Shane is fast and too slick for Oscar to knock out.

Rolando Arrellano, co-manager of Fernando Vargas - I’ll have to go with Oscar. But if Shane moves and uses his speed it could swing the other way. But I’m going with Oscar.

Johnny “Yaya” McClain, promoter and husband of Laila Ali – I say Oscar. Shane is coming from two losses and had a poor performance against Raul Marquez. It’s hard to come back from that.

Vaia Zaganas, IFBA strawweight world champion – Oscar by decision. It’s going to be close but I have to go with Oscar.

Steve Quinonez, former NABF lightweight title-holder – I say Shane Mosley. Losing twice to the same fighter doesn’t mean he’s a bad fighter. Shane is a great fighter and has more than Oscar has to offer.

Looks like Oscar wasn't "favored" by the judges.