Mosley, who turns 42 in September, has held world titles in three weight divisions and has defeated the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Fernando Vargas, Antonio Margarito, Jesse James Leija, John John Molina and Ricardo Mayorga.
He last fought on May 5, 2012 against WBC 154-pound belt holder Sa?l “Canelo” ?lvarez, one of boxing’s fastest rising stars.
Alvarez defeated Mosley, winning at least 10 of 12 relatively competitive rounds. Nevertheless, it was Mosley’s third loss in four bouts.
One could argue Mosley, whose prime was arguably at 135lbs as a lightweight, was never a force at 154lbs anyway and his other two loses were against the sport’s top two fighters at the time – Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Shane Mosley brutalizes Ricardo Mayorga in 2008
There’s no shame in losing to Mayweather or Pacquiao or even Canelo, who is just a naturally bigger, stronger man. Yet, despite those setbacks, his career accomplishments, a number of lucrative paydays and seemingly nothing to prove, the 41 year old Shane Mosley fights on and insists Mosley vs Cano is the start of a long-term comeback.
Why?
Only Shane knows the answer and perhaps there are several reasons but one can surmise his finances play a role.
The fighter whom ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley idolized, Sugar Ray Robinson, said upon making his comeback:
“It’s common gossip when a (past his prime) fighter makes a return to ring that he’s broke and desperately in need of finances. Well that’s someone what true. I need a buck as well as anyone else I guess.”
Shane Mosley doesn’t seem like the type to burn through money so what happened?
According to TMZ, Mosley’s 2011 divorce was costly.
Very costly.
The fighter was ordered to pay ex-wife Jin Mosley $20,000 per month in support starting December 2010. Moreover, he owed her $60,000 off the top in back pay.
According to the documentation filed in L.A. County Superior Court in the divorce proceedings, Jin inisited she needed the money to pay monthly expenses such as:
— Clothes $5,073 — Jewelry $1,666 — Cosmetics, beauty $2,000 — Massage therapist $360 — Personal trainer $720
Ex-wives can be expensive.
But there’s more. According to California state law, Mosley’s wife was entitled to half of Sugar Shane’s fight purses during their marriage. In addition, if TMZ’s account is accurate, Mosley’s ex-wife, Jin, purportedly also receives 50% Sugar Shane’s profits from videotapes and DVDs of his super fights during their 7 year marriage prior to the separation date.
Although Mosley was able to keep all of his earnings from his bouts with Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez, his wife is likely getting (or has received) half of all of his earnings from what was left from his previous bouts during the time of their marriage. Those fights include but aren’t limited to his showdowns with Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Fernando Vargas.
In addition, his ex-wife was awarded each of Shane’s three championship belts to hold for their three children until each reaches 18. Shane Mosley may have lost 50%, if not more, of his net worth from his divorce alone.
Maybe that is why boxing legend Shane Mosley fights on. If so, can anyone blame him?
