Boxing Betting Tip - Antonio Margarito vs. Shane Mosley
Published January 22, 2009 by Martin Bean
This Saturday, 24th January 2009, boxing fans are treated to a fantastic contest to start the New Year. ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley challenges for the WBA Welterweight Title against the ‘Tijuana Tornado’ Antonio Margarito at what is sure to be a packed Staples Centre in Los Angeles. HBO televise this Bob Arum promotion in the USA , whilst Setanta host in the UK.
It’s an intriguing fight featuring an older fighter in Mosley, now 45-5 (38 KO’s), taking on a man considered to be at the peak of his powers, Margarito, 37-5 (27 KO’s). I’ve read various reports about this fight across the internet and in written publications and it seems that many feel this will be a straightforward fight for Margarito, a judgement that seems to have been made solely on the Mexican’s relentless effort last time out as he inflicted the first defeat of Miguel Cotto’s career.
But, Mosley may have more left in the tank than many are giving him credit for. Whilst he may not be considered among the pound for pound elite as he once was, he is still a very dangerous man for Margarito to face. Mosley is still sharp, fast and doesn’t lack power. Look at his last few fights and you’ll see he can still compete at the top level – two KO wins over Fernando Vargas, pushing Miguel Cotto close over 12 rounds, clearly decisioning Luis Collazo (who pushed hot talent Andre Berto all the way last weekend) before beating Nicaraguan wildman Ricardo Mayorga last time out. Admittedly the Mayorga performance wasn’t vintage Mosley and perhaps he did start to show some of his 37 years. But, when it mattered, this supposedly ‘past it’ fighter could still pull it out of the bag with a spectacular last second knockout.
In stark contrast, Antonio Margarito’s stock has never been higher. Knocking out the previously undefeated Cotto in one of 2008’s best fights has suddenly catapulted Margarito to heights that had never previously been accessible for this rough, tough and gritty Mexican warrior. A 15 year professional, Margarito has been beaten just twice since 1996; a close technical decision loss to the talented former world champion Daniel Santos in 2004 and another close defeat against the gargantuan man that is Paul Williams. Since Williams has gone on to become a major player up at both 154 and 160lbs, that Williams loss doesn’t look so bad at all.
The fight itself could prove predictable in terms of the style of the fighters – Margarito knows nothing else other than to come forward relentlessly and it seems crazy that Mosley may stand in front of him. Instead, expect Mosley to use his best attribute, speed, to try and beat Margarito. Mosley can actually take a blueprint of the first five rounds of the Cotto vs. Margarito clash for a lesson in how to win this fight – remember, Cotto’s speed of hand and foot meant he comprehensively outboxed Margarito in the early going.
The key factor in the outcome of this fight for me however, is Margarito’s level of motivation. For the Cotto fight, Margarito was more hyped up than he’s ever been in his career. After all, it was a chance to put himself amongst the front runners in the pound for pound stakes at long last. Having overcome that hurdle and enjoyed the limelight, will the fire still burn as fiercely inside Margarito? For Mosley, this could represent his last chance at world level. A damaging defeat could see an ageing Mosley never in the frame for title shots again. Mosley is well aware of this so will have prepared diligently and be ready to dig deep.
So can Mosley win this? Despite all of the above, I don’t see that happening. But, I think Mosley gives the Mexican warrior a real tough fight. I see Margarito coming out fast in the opener and taking the round. Then ‘Sugar’ Shane can find some rhythm and befuddle Margarito for a few rounds with his fast hands and lateral movement. But, as we hit the middle rounds, Margarito will start to make an impact, before dominating from round 10 onwards.
I don’t see Shane getting stopped; yes, this is an ageing warrior but this is one strong, hard and proud man that won’t go down here. I see Mosley not only lasting the distance, but coming away from this fight with credit – losing by a maximum of three rounds.
BOXING CAPITAL TIP – Antonio Margarito to Win on Points @ 10/11 (Skybet)
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