Antonio Margarito (-500) vs. “Sugar” Shane Mosley (+300)

This welterweight title fight was almost lost due to the uglier side of sports, that of course is money. Margarito was unhappy he was splitting the earnings 50/50 with Mosley despite him being the bigger draw and the belt holder. Antonio backed away from the fight until HBO reached into those deep pockets for a few more dollars and voila, they had a title fight.

Margarito won the title by stopping Miguel Cotto in an epic bout that saw both fighters land countless power punches before Cotto ran out of answers in the eleventh round. It spoke volumes for both the power and chin of Margarito but more importantly, the will to win. In an absolute slug fest, he was able to take power shots and continue to move forward and press the action.

Margarito has proved that he is the premier welterweight fighter in the world but also that he is one of the more exciting draws in all of boxing. He was being thoroughly dominated in the Cotto fight but would not let himself be beaten, and staged a late fight comeback that people in the boxing world are still talking about.

In Mosley’s last fight he looked his age, slow and un-exciting. It took a genuine last second knockout with one tick left in the 12th to beat veteran Ricardo Mayorga in September. Although Mosley was never really hurt by Mayorga, he was behind on at least one of the judge’s cards and if it were not for a miracle KO he would have been in danger of loosing by decision. Mosley went on record stating that the reason Mayorga was so successful early in their fight was because Mosley had blisters on his right foot which was affecting his movement. Believe what you want, I think the Mosley just wasn’t prepared for the fight and it was god given ability that won him that one.

All excuses aside, the facts state that Mosey is 37 and is going toe to toe with the welterweight champion seven years younger than him. If you want a precedent for this kind of situation, look no further than the beating Pacquiao put on Oscar De La Hoya a few months ago.

Mosley is defiant and believes he is the bigger puncher in this fight and has the stronger chin. All I know is he better not get out to a slow start against Margarito because he is a notorious strong finisher. With youth and endurance on the Mexican’s side, Mosley may be the one face down on the canvas when it’s all said and done.

Based on their last outings and the difference in age, it is no surprise that BetUS oddsmakers have Margarito as the favorite in his title fight. Another factor that may sway your betting dollars is that Cotto beat Mosley in November 2007 in a fight that went to the scorecard. Naturally Mosley has dismissed any relevance it has to this bout coming up on January 24th from the Staples Center in Los Angeles but the fact remains, Margarito stopped Cotto, a feat Mosley was unable to accomplish.

Margarito knows that Mosley has a great chin and a big right hand, but he also knows that it has been the will of Mosley that has earned him many of his victories and I think the whole boxing world knows, Margarito will not be out willed.

I see this fight going to a decision (Over 10 ½ -150) with a unanimous decision in favor of Antonio Margarito.