Moseley vs. Margarito - Biggest Fight of 2009

World Boxing Association welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (37-5, 27 KO’s) became the new king of the division when he stopped a fine fighter, Miguel Angel Cotto, back in July, but will likely have an even tougher bout on his hands when he squares off against four-time world champion Shane Mosley, (45-5, 38 KO’s) the longtime lightweight champion who moved up to the welterweight division to beat beloved former champion Oscar de la Hoya, twice.

The 30-year-old Margarito and 37-year-old Moseley will go at it in the BetUS Sportsbook on Jan. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in what many are calling the first major fight of 2009.

Mosley is coming off an unconvincing last-minute knockout of Ricardo Mayorga on August 27, but said on a conference call recently that he's still got the speed and the punching power to be champion and that he's not going away any time soon.

"I kind of take it fight by fight, but I can see myself going another four or five years," said Mosley. "I feel great now. When it feels like a chore, that's when I'll think about retiring."

The WBC is investigating allegations that Mosley used endurance-enhancing EPO and steroids ahead of his second win over de la Hoya in 2003 and that he testified to that at a grand jury hearing that he thought would be kept private. Mosley has denied he ever knowingly used banned substances.

Mosley said he has blocked the controversy from his mind while preparing for the fight.

"I just put that on a shelf," he said. "I don't even know what's going on with that."

Margarito, a 14-year pro, is an iron-chinned fighter who goes on the attack early, especially to the body, and doesn't let up.

"I was brought up in California and I've fought a lot of Mexican fighters and I know that style," said Mosley. "I can go to the body as well, and lets see who falls first."

Margarito said he knows that Moseley is still dangerous no matter what others may be saying about the former champ.

"I think he is a great champion - I won't underestimate him," Margarito said through an interpreter. "I'll be ready and I believe this is my time to shine."

Boxing Odds in BetUS Sportsbook

Antonio Margarito -500

Shane Mosley +300

Over 10½ -150

Under 10½ +120

Analysis: BetUS boxing bettors that followed my picks toward the end of the year in 2008 are likely rolling in plenty of pugilistic dough right now – and I plan on helping more boxing sports bettors get off to a positive start with their 2009 boxing betting action.

I think this bout is going to end up a lot like the Oscar De La Hoya/ Manny Pacquiao bout in which the younger Pacquiao displayed his prowess by dominating the older, clearly slower De La Hoya from beginning to end.

While I don’t know if Margarito is going to dominate Moseley throughout the fight, I clearly like the younger and stronger Margarito to walk away victorious in this bout while wearing down Moseley with a multitude of body blows.

I say Margarito stops Moseley inside of the 10½ -round O/U line.

Boxing Pick: Margarito by eighth round TKO