I had predicted a Mosley win based on two factors: 1. One word: Nazim. With Hopkins' master strategist in the corner, I knew Mosley would have the proper gameplan for a one dimensional plodder like Margarito. Once I heard this was Mosley's coach, all doubt left my mind about the outcome. 2. The venue. History repeats itself. 'Nuff said.
Absolutely speechless. It really hurt to see the powerful Margarito dejected like that in the corner.
Speachless. Shane did the all the talking needed though. You know what Margo does, and you know what you have to do to beat him but it takes a special fighter to do it. And shane mosely is clearly a special fighter.
You know, I've been very vocal about Margarito's limitations, but in light of the fact that he wouldn't let his corner throw in the towel despite the fact that he was FINISHED between rounds, I gotta hand it to the guy, he's got a pair of ****ing stones on him. Big respect for that, if not for his in-ring abilities.
It broke my heart to see it, to be honest. That's the dangers of becoming a big fan of a fighter with those sort of limitations, though. That was the worst beating I have ever seen...ever.
Other than speed and skills, Mosley's upper body strength and ring attitude won him the fight. Margo being pushed back against the ropes was an unfamiliar sight to begin with. Clearly, Mosley was the stronger man. Another thing is Mosley had the attitude of a winner in the ring (contrary to Cotto). I remember how some morons here dissed Cotto for beating 'an old man who has nothing left' (speaking of Mosley) and that's why they thought Margo would beat Cotto. Well the old man exposed Margarito for what he his: a tough guy with lots of guts but slow and unskilled.
My heart said Mosley but my brain said Margarito. I went with margarito by UD. I figured that if Mosley actually could pull it off it would be by decision...but KO???? That never crossed my mind. Like many im speechless!...especially about the whole illegal handwrap thing with margarito
Well the one constant about boxing is that when the mighty fall its a hard landing. Cotto found that out last summer. Margo finds that out tonight. I imagine his fans feel much the same way Cotto fans felt six months ago.
Respect to you for the thread you made on the subject already. Also, a thought on Mosley.... He seemed more emotional than normal in the post-fight press conference. He always is a man who will speak honestly, but tonight he seemed more resolute, like he felt he REALLY had something to prove. It was as if all of the out of the ring problems were just getting to him so much that tonight he wanted to say, "**** it, this is what I am", and just show everyone, and most of all himself, that he not only could still do it, but do it better than ever. I just felt a different aura from him tonight than I generally have. Tonight his all-time physical prowess culminated with maturity and experience garnered from years in the ring, coming together beautifully.
The sight of Margarito falling over with nothing left was something I never thought I would see in my life. Huge props to Shane and Nazzim Richardson, one of the most underrated trainers in the game. I'm very curious to learn more about the casts on Margo's dressing room, and how similar this situation is to the Trinidad one. Up until now apart from what HBO commented on, this is what I've read: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/officials-found.html I'll defenitely need to sleep on it to really react a little better. Although I got my pick wrong (MARG SD) one thing I was right is that there's really no way to go wrong when you put Margarito in the same ring as Shane Mosely. Great fight, great night!
Tonight I give SSM his props. I was never a fan of his, but I admired his efforts in the Cotto fight(I think he won) and especially tonight for showing he was the man. He really did put it all together tonight. Regardless of how we felt of felt about Margo's condition, I feel Shane would have beaten sny version of Margarito on this night.
It was the same Margarito tonight as shows up every night. There were two differences tonight than usual, however... 1. Margarito was outfought early and wasn't able to put anything in the bank to capitalize on later. Mosley doesn't fade late, so Margarito couldn't catch up to a slowing fighter and stop him on accumulation. 2. Margarito wasn't able to us his trademark "hands of stone". No, I'm not talking "Roberto Duran type punches", I'm talking, "illegally taped hands, made in such a way as to resemble stone". There you have it, the tale of the tape.
