In a sense, there’s no more modern boxer than Sergio Mora.
Rather than rising through the ranks the way the famous boxers of the 20th Century did, Mora became a prospect in a very 21st Century way: He became a reality TV star, winning the first season of the television show The Contender.
But Mora (22-1-1, six knockouts), a former titlist who is preparing for his most significant fight to date on September 18 against former world champion Shane Mosley (46-6, 39 KOs), says he wishes the 21st Century stars of boxing would look back to the past to see how to conduct themselves.
“Back when boxing was at its peak, fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis wouldn’t say nothing, they’d just go out and do their jobs,” said Mora, who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. “Now we have guys throwing money around and acting like idiots.”
Mora was referring to Floyd Mayweather Jr., whom Mora referred to as both the best fighter in the sport and a disgraceful representative of the sport in his dealings with the media and the fans.
Mora says he can guarantee that his fight with Mosley will feature two fighters who conduct themselves the right way, both inside and outside the ring.
“Heroes in boxing aren’t like they used to be. There’s not enough character and class in the sport. It’s a prestigious sport. We’re scientists. They call this the sweet science for a reason,” said Mora. “I think Manny Pacquiao is the savior of the sport. He’s a fighter. Floyd Mayweather makes a lot of money — and he can thank Oscar De La Hoya for that — but he’s not the most respectful.”
The 29-year-old Mora promises to be respectful to the 39-year-old Mosley, whose accomplishments in the sport he admires, but he also promises to bring the fight to Mosley and give the fans a war in the ring.
“It’s definitely my most important fight and it’s my biggest fight as far as respect, as far as the legendary status, what HBO brings to the table, how much prestige there is,” said Mora of fighting Mosley.
“As far as viewership, nothing will amount to the finale of The Contender, where I had more than 12 million people watching. But it’s two different things,” said Mora, who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. “That was celebrity, reality television. This is a real opponent, a dangerous opponent and a legend in Sugar Shane Mosley. I respect him and know that this is the biggest fight of my career, on the biggest possible stage.”
A Mexican-American who grew up in East Los Angeles, Mora said he’s particularly proud to be fighting two days after the Mexican bicentennial.
“Oscar De La Hoya made two days famous. He would fight on Cinco de Mayo and then in September on Mexican Independence Day. Those are two big attractions for boxing,” said Mora. “Without De La Hoya those days wouldn’t be as big but this is special as the 200th anniversary for Mexico, and special to fight in L.A. where I’m from and where Mosley is from.”
Although Mosley is popular in Southern California, Mora expects to have a largely Mexican-American crowd on his side, and he said Mexican-American fans respect fighters who share their backgrounds.
“I grew up in a single-bedroom house with a single parent and three brothers, and we know the struggle, we know what it is to grow up with nothing, and we have a lot of passion that we bring to the fight game,” said Mora. “Mexican fans really support a fighter who shares their background.”
Mora believes every boxing fan should support the September 18 fight.
“You’re going to see two classy guys,” said Mora. “And two warriors.”
