The Cyber Boxing Zone Newswire


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"SUGAR" SHANE MOSLEY MAKES HIS WELTERWEIGHT DEBUT ON SEPTEMBER 25 AGAINST WILFREDO RIVERA. FIGHT TO BE HELD AT THE PECHANGA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

BIG BEAR, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23, 1999 - "Sugar" Shane Mosley, the unbeaten former IBF lightweight champion, will make his welterweight debut on September 25, 1999, against perennial contender Wilfredo Rivera of Puerto Rico. This bout, scheduled for 10 rounds, and to be televised by HBO’s World Championship Boxing, will be held at the Pechanga Entertainment Center in Temecula, California

Mosley, 32-0, with 30 knockouts, is widely considered to be one of the top Pound for Pound fighters in the world today. After eight successful defenses of his IBF lightweight crown, he relinquished the title earlier this year to focus on the welterweight division. His first opponent is no stepping stone. Rivera (30-3-1, 19 KOs) is best remembered for his two epic battles with Pernell Whitaker, in which he pushed the future Hall of Famer to the limit of his abilities, as well as a spirited effort in a losing cause against Oscar De La Hoya.

Some have questioned Mosley’s decision to make a 12 pound leap in weight. "Sugar" Shane is not worried. "I’m going to go out there and do a good job to let people know that I mean business and that I’m really a welterweight," said Mosley this week from his training camp in Big Bear. "This is my natural weight. I’m not moving up for the money. I’m moving up for the glory."

Mosley’s main calling cards at this point in his career are his blinding speed and thunderous power. The question has to be: will the move up in weight derail his talents? "I am bigger than a lot of people think I am, and when I get into the ring to fight, they’re going to see a difference," declares ‘Sugar’ Shane. "The speed and power is still there, so it’s going to surprise a lot of people. I wouldn’t have jumped up if I didn’t know where I stood."

Where Mosley stands right now is at the top of the mythical Pound For Pound rankings. Will the welterweights fall as the lightweights did? "I’ll try not to scare away everybody," laughed Mosley. "I feel right now that I am one of the elite fighters. There’s going to be a lot of good fights out there. This will be my first little jump to 147, so everyone can watch and then make their own judgements about whether I’m a welterweight or not."

For more information on Shane Mosley, visit his Official website at www.sugarshanemosley.com

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