FROM FIGHTING FOR TROPHIES TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Over the years I've had the chance to see a lot of fighters--before they become champion. In fact there are some that I have literally watched grow from the crib to the title.

World lightweight champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley is one of the individuals I've been fortunate to watch grow both as a person and as a fighter. In late 1993, I was part of the TV team that broadcast Shane's fourth fight.

I KNEW IT!

I then my told my colleague Tom Kelly that, "What we are witnessing here is a future undisputed world champion at work." In the five years since, Mosley has done nothing to make my claim lack merit.

ONE ON ONE

RT-You were impressive in scoring your 27th knockout over Eduardo Morales on TNT, to go to 29-0. When will you fight again? SM-I'm fighting November 14, on HBO on the Roy Jones-Otis grant undercard. I'll be taking on Jesse James Leija.
RT-Hmmm. Jesse James Leija just pulled out of a fight with Gabe Ruelas claiming sore ribs. Why would he then take a fight with a murderous body puncher like you?
SM-I don't know. This boxing thing is real weird. First, I was supposed to face Ivan Robinson and then he kind of backed out. Then I was going to fight Israel Cardona and he gets bruised up and I'm not fighting him now. Next on the list is Jesse James Leija.
RT-I really don't think there is anybody out there that can truly challenge you at 135 lbs. Am I wrong?
SM-I don't think so. But there are somebody out there who might think they can, but I really don't think so.
RT-Ok, so we can hang together on that one. You mentioned Cardona . He was supposed to be a big banger. I didn't see the reputed power. did you?
SM-He looked a little slow. I think guys get a rep for their power and they go straight power. They think they can just over power people and knock them out. Instead, he had to go the distance and he had a hard fight.
RT-When your father tells you to punch round to the body, what does he mean?
SM-Well, the round punches to the body it's changing up the shots. I throw my shots straight, accurate, and to the point. But sometimes you have to change it up and give them a different look and different angles. When he says the round shots, I'm digging in and getting a little more power and angling the shots.
RT-Where did you learn that?
SM-I learned it from my father and from watching other fighters. Some throw their punches round, some straight. I try to be a well rounded fighter that can throw 'em different ways.
RT-HBO's Larry Merchant has you within a notch of the top of the pound for pound ladder, while I have you #1. How do you feel about that?
SM-I think it's just an honor being recognized as a pound for pound candidate. But it's up to the people to vote me in. And it's up to me to go out and perform at the best of my abilities everytime out. 
RT-What does Leija bring to the dance on November 14, besides the possibly bruised ribs.?
SM-He brings a lot of experience. You can say he's aging. But he's a boxer that's a sneaky puncher.
RT-What he is a victim. This guy doesn't know what he's getting himself into. If he thinks Gabe Ruelas and Azumah Nelson hit him hard, wait until he has you cracking him to the body.
SM-(Laughing) Yeah, he's definitely going to be in trouble cause I'm up here in Big Bear and I'm training very hard. I only took a week and a half off after the last fight. I'm worked hard and I'm ready to do my job on November 14.
RT-Is the Golden Girl training up there in Big Bear with you? SM-Yeah, I did happen to pass by his house today. He's training for Ike Quartey and he's seems very confidant.
RT-Does he have a little "punk" running through him?
SM-A lot of people ask me about De La Hoya. Oscar has his career and what he's doing. Whatever he's doing, that's on him. I just have to worry about taking care of myself and my career. It's about wanting to be great.
RT-But isn't there a difference here. You say you want to be great fighter, while Oscar seems more comfortable being a great businessman. When historians look back at Oscar at 130, 135, and 140 lbs., they are going to say he ducked all the top guys.
SM-That's true and that's on Oscar. But Shane has something else in mind. He wants to be considered a great fighter, I want to do all the things that can make me that, and I want to help people in the fight game. I also want to be part of the fight game after I leave the ring as a fighter. To give back. Now, our values (Oscar and his) may be a little different.
RT-You're a nice guy talking about him. But you whipped up on Oscar in the amateurs didn't you?
SM-Oh yeah, the animal comes out of me when I step inside those ropes. I was a little bit too experienced for Oscar and I took it to him. I was a young kid who had a lot of energy and a lot of determination.
RT-They say the father and son relationship doesn't work in boxing. Why is it the relationship between you and your father/manager/trainer Jack so good?
SM-Well, I think it's because we are able to communicate with each other. And he's willing to let me be the man that I am and not try to keep me down as his little boy. This allows me to grow and I think it's important that a father let his son be his own person.
RT-Do you answer your e mail at your web site www.sugarshanemosley.com?
SM-Yes. I get the messages, read them and then verbally give my response to an aide who types it in for me.
RT-What did you think about Naseem Hamed and Wayne McCullough?
SM-I think the pre fight stuff was better than the fight. And that he clowned too much.
RT-If Leija goes the distance with you, it'll make me us both look bad.
SM-Don't worry Pedro. The fight won't go the distance.


Pedro Fernandez

The writer has his own site at www.fighters.com and can be reached at flash@inow.com

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