In front of a
record breaking crowd at the “Staples Center” in Los Angeles,
California, “Sugar” Shane Mosley surprised the boxing world
with a 9th round “TKO” victory over Mexico’s
seemingly unbeatable Antonio Margarito.
The 4-1
favorite Margarito, riding a 3-bout win streak that included a
career defining “TKO” victory over Miguel Cotto and a “KO” win
over Kermit Cintron, was no match for the elusive Mosley. From
the opening round, it was obvious that Mosley’s quick
combinations and side-to-side movement would prove to be his
plan of attack against the hard punching champion.
Although
Margarito tried to press the action against the Pomona,
California challenger, he could not land any effective blows
and was constantly on the receiving end of Mosley’s counter
punching. The early rounds followed the same script, as the
champion was becoming more and more frustrated at his inability
to land any punches on his elusive foe. Mosley easily won all
of the rounds from the first through the sixth with his
superior boxing skills, and surprisingly also landed the
harder, more effective punches.
In the eight
round, the pro-Margarito crowd in attendance was stunned as a
constant barrage of Mosley’s powerful combinations sent the
hurt champion reeling into the ropes. Mosley’s follow-up left
hook and right cross sent Margarito to the canvas, and the hurt
champion barely beat the count as the bell sounded to end the
round. As his trainers worked feverishly to revive Margarito
during the rest period, it appeared they would stop the fight
to avoid further punishment to the already beaten champion.
But, true to his fighting heart and bravery, Margarito insisted
he would not lose his title sitting on the stool.
Sensing that
victory was his, Mosley opened the ninth round by attacking the
unsteady champion and quickly landed more punishing
combinations that knocked a defenseless Margarito into the
ropes. As Margarito’s cornermen threw a towel into the ring to
signal the fight's end, Mosley landed another left and right
combination that knocked the champion to his hands and knees.
The referee’s embrace of a fallen champion signaled the end of
the fight and an acknowledgment of Mosley’s brilliant
victory. Before a shocked partisan crowd, Antonio
Margarito’s reign as Welterweight champion had come to an
unexpected end!
“Sugar” Shane
Mosley had regained the Welterweight crown he had previously
lost to Vernon Forrest in 2002. As Mosley seemed to turn back
the clock and fool “Father Time” against the younger, bigger
and hard punching champion, the impressive win creates the
possibility of some interesting fights in the now competitive
Welterweight division.
With the win,
Mosley raised his record to 46 Wins (with 39 by KOs) and only 5
losses. The dethroned champion’s record now stands at 37 wins
(with 27 by KOs) and only 6 losses. This stoppage at the hands
of Mosley is the first time he has been stopped in his career.
At the
post-fight interview in the ring, Margarito gave Mosley credit
as an experienced fighter but indicated he just had “a bad
night.” Whether or not Margarito had a “bad night,” full
credit has to be given to the 4-1 underdog Mosley for his
brilliant performance, leading up to his being once again
crowned… The New Welterweight Champion of The World!
