Saturday night at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions along with HBO’s PPV is hosting their main event with the rematch of “Sugar” Shane Mosley, (42-4, 36 KO’s) vs. “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas, (26-3, 22 KO’s) for a scheduled twelve rounds in the Junior Middleweight division. The first fight ended with a TKO win in the tenth round for Mosley. Vargas’ eye swelled up to something fierce, keeping him from seeing properly. This caused referee Joe Cortez to call a halt to the bout which cost Vargas an extra $100,000 because he bet Shane he would win by knockout. The rematch is set to try and even the score.
Mosley has bounced back since his back to back losses against Winky Wright in 2004. At thirty four years of age, he has fought three times in the past year, and won all of them against opponents much younger than him. His experience in the ring along with his gift of speed and endurance has made Mosley one of the sought out fighters of today. That’s why he has taken on and beaten these younger guys. They think they can lick the veteran boxer, until he lays a quick combination punch that was never seen, but definitely felt. Jack Mosley, is back in the corner as the trainer and father/son team is ready to shine once again.
Finishing a job that he never got to complete, Vargas is dead set on knocking out his opponent this time. He hasn’t talked about going the distance. He wants redemption for a fight he felt he was winning on points up to the stoppage. Vargas has a strong will to survive and plans to show that again against Mosley. Since his knockout loss to Oscar De La Hoya four years ago and his suspension afterwards for a foreign substance found in his system, Vargas has put life together with a new team. He won two bouts in 2003, took off 2004 due to back problems, and then won two more bouts in 2005. He is 0-1 for 2006, but getting the opportunity to even that up before the end of the year. This rematch is definitely one to watch. Two former superstar world champions meeting again to show the people around the world, just who is the best?
Opening up the broadcast unlike the headliner, is two world title fights. WBA Lightweight Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, (29-0, 14 KO’s) is making his fourth title defense when he faces Randy “Golden Boy” Suico, (24-2, 21 KO’s). The rematch theme was planned to extend to Diaz, who was to have fought a return match against Lavka Sim. However, Sim abruptly pulled out and retired a few weeks ago. Enjoying his summer break from college, along with trainer Ronnie Shields, the two have had the time to add more to this young man’s talents. Suico is from the Philippines and hasn’t fought the best in opposition. His two losses come from a step up in talent, but not enough to win the decision. His knockout ratio is high, but the fighters beaten were mostly in single digit with professional fights.
Also on the undercard is Mexico’s WBO Super Bantamweight Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, (28-1, 26 KO’s) taking a rematch against Thailand’s Sod Looknongyangtoy, (27-1, 10 KO’s) who was beaten in a unanimous decision last year, October. De Leon has since made a title defense against Gerson Guerrero this past May and won by KO in the second round. Looknongyangtoy has had two wins since his only loss last year against De Leon. The first fight was a close one and this rematch should answer any unanswered questions.
