Shane Mosley was doing the right things for the first 3 rounds; staying busy, getting his flurries off with his combinations, and landing numerous right hands. However, after the 3rd round he seemed to tire; and I do understand he was in with the naturally bigger guy in Vargas, who’s been 154 pound or heavier for most of his boxing career. What I didn’t like was the fact that Mosley just let Vargas come in and throw body shots, and lean on him without paying for it on many occasions. In addition, I didn’t think Mosley was aggressive enough in attacking Vargas’ blown up left eye. If you think about it, when the fight was finally stopped in the 10th round, a good case could be made that Vargas, a) won the 9th round with one eye and b) was never really rocked by Mosley.  However, the fight needed to be stopped so I give referee Joe Cortez props for jumping in.  

     Incredibly, in an earlier fight between heavyweights Calvin Brock and Zuri Lawrence, the medical team  actually applied an oxygen mask to Lawrence's nose and mouth after being knocked out, with his mouthpiece still in place. I may not be a doctor, but I do know that if a fighter gets knocked out certain precautions must be taken, and if the situation is bad enough that oxygen has to be applied, THEN THE F%$#ING MOUTHPIECE SHOULD BE REMOVED FIRST. Fernando Vargas was lucky to have his fight stopped. Could you imagine what that medical crew would have done with Vargas’ eye if it had gotten any worse? 

     Overall Shane Mosley (42-4, 36 KOs) may have gotten what he needed in order to get his career going again, which was a win and a little confidence booster as well. However, if I were his advisor I would have him fight Antonio Margarito right away, providing Floyd Mayweather Jr. isn’t ready and willing to fight him. Mosley will not let anyone just walk him and push him around and while he can bang, Margarito does not have very quick hands. I think their styles would match up nicely and create an exciting fight. Floyd seems too quick for Shane Mosley now; I know styles make fights and all, but if a vision-impaired Vargas had that much success finding Mosley with his right hand, then rest assured Mayweather Jr. will find him as well.  

     The thing that would be interesting in that fight is the fact that for the first time since April 1999 when he clashed against John Brown, Mosley might actually be the bigger man in the ring and thus might be able to impose his will. If Mosley really wanted to just go out with the belts he could go after the winner of Carlos Baldomir vs. Arturo Gatti, but if history has it right, he will go after the toughest foe possible. 

     Fernando Vargas (26-3, 22 KOs) said he’s done at 154 pounds; that must mean he’s going to move up to 160 and fight even stronger people. That’s a bad move. A couple of things Vargas was always able to do was impose his size on the opposition and have some slick boxing ability. He’s not going to be able to impose his will on the 160 pounds elite fighters the way he could on the smaller junior middleweights. While a case can be made that when Vargas knocked out Ross Thompson back in August of 2000, Thompson was close to 180 pounds, times have changed and so has the opposition. At the present time we have the likes of  rugged Bernard Hopkins who doesn’t give his foes much to hit,  Jermain Taylor who can box as well as get physical, Winky Wright who can out box most anyone and would love to get another crack at Fernando, to whom he lost a highly disputed decision in December of 1999. Even a sturdy guy like Felix Sturm would give Vargas a serious fight.