Shane Mosley has been one of the best fighters in the world for a long time. His 4 losses came to only 2 fighters. He lost twice to both Ronald “Winky” Wright and Vernon Forrest. He was a dominant force as a lightweight in the 90’s before moving up to welterweight where he beat his current business partner, Oscar de la Hoya. Mosley’s last fight was a KO win over Fernando Vargas.
But for his most recent fight against Luis Collazo, Mosley decided to change weights again going back down in weight to welterweight having fought most recently in the junior middleweight division.
Collazo, who lost a close 12 round decision over Ricky Hatton in 2006, was a former welterweight champion. He fought once since the Hatton fight. He is a southpaw counter puncher with decent punch power.
Mosley began the fight smartly moving to his right, away from Collazo’s straight left. Collazo was slower than Mosley who seemingly wanted to dictate the pace. While jumping in, Mosley was leaving his head exposed and Collazo was able to catch him with a big left hand to the head followed by a quick right hook to the chin.
Collazo outweighed Mosley by 6 lbs at fight time and definitely looked the bigger of the two. He needed to use his size to take control of the fight but he didn’t do that. Mosley was moving to back and forth to his right and left landing body shots and connecting accurately with overhand rights.
Referee, Kenny Bayless warned the fighters to keep it clean as a clash of heads opened a cut on Collazo’s left eye.
Mosley was flicking his left jab to setup his overhand rights and his speed seemed to be confusing Collazo – who was being out punched by about 3 to 1. Mosley was throwing more combinations to the head and body and he connected with a right hand that rocked Collazo. Mosley unloaded with a hard left and right to Collazo’s head. They were both tiring by the middle rounds but Mosley was still quicker.
In between rounds 9 and 10 Mosley was heard complaining to his father in the corner that he felt pressure in his neck.
Mosley was catching his opponent with right hands as he was jumping in throwing his left. Mosley’s right hands were landing at will and even though Collazo needed a knockout to win the fight he wasn’t fighting like it. He was pushing Mosley back but he wasn’t successful in doing so and Mosley continued to land his right hands. A right hook with an open glove dropped Collazo as he was jumping in with a left hand. He was more off balance than anything else but it was ruled a knockdown.
Mosley’s hand speed with left hooks and rights confused Collazo throughout the fight but right at the end of the bout, Mosley landed a left hook hurting Collazo just as the final bell rang.
Mosley made the move back down in weight and has now set himself up for another world title shot.
Commending his opponent, Mosley said “He was slick and took a good punch. His southpaw style was hard to approach.” He continued, “He hit me on the neck that stunned me a little. After the 3rd round, I was faster than him. It was like I was a southpaw and he wasn’t.”
When asked how he felt at the weight and when he’d be back in the ring again Mosley responded “I felt comfortable, light on my feet. I want to stay sharp, maybe May or June for a fight. If Floyd Mayweather Jr beats de la Hoya I would like a fight with him at the end of the year.”
Mosley is older but his speed and skills are still intact so he can be a force once again in this division.
