September 5, 2003
Five-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya wants revenge against Sugar Shane Mosley when they face each other in this years much anticipated rematch on September 13th. I'm going to break down the match up and show how and why each one can win.
De La Hoya
Oscar is coming off an impressive victory over Fernando Vargas. A lot of people are putting alot of stock in that victory. Having Floyd Mayweather Sr. in his corner has brought something to the table as well. De La Hoya comes to fight every fight, he is a warrior.
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| Odds say DLH should turn the tables. | |
What Oscar needs to do to win: Oscar's best punch is the left hook, he has a tendency to abandon his right hand when all else fails. Against Shane he can't afford to do this. Vernon Forrest exposed Mosley's vulnerability to the right hand, so DLH must effectively use it to keep Shane at bay. Also Oscar must take the spin off his jab. Mosley is too quick for Oscar to try to throw the jab with some authority. He needs to use it a weapon to set up the right hand then left hook. I don't think Oscar is physically stronger than Shane, so there is no advantage there. He is not a quick as Shane, so he has to be technically better.
Why Oscar can win: Oscar has heart. He always finds a way to win. He has Mayweather in his corner. Bob Arum is promoting this fight, and Arum is Oscar's promoter (i.e. Boxing Politics). Oscar needs this fight to cement his legacy as an all-time great. Shane's questionable psyche after the 2 Forrest losses is a factor as well.
Mosley
Shane need this fight in a big way. His career is really on the line. What's at stake is for Shane is to return to glory or be regulated to being just another club fighter. Shane has been less than impressive in his last 3 fights, losing 2 Forrest and a no decision against journeyman Raul Marquez. He needs to step it up in a big way.
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| Shane has the format to beat Oscar. | |
What Shane needs to do to win: Use the same format that he used to beat Oscar in 2000, out quick him, out work him, be relentless. Fight him aggressively and not be on the defensive as he was with Vernon. He has to control the tempo, because Oscar's stamina has been in question of late. Shane has to give him different angles, keep DLH off balance, switching from conventional to south paw. Needs to mix it up early to gain Oscar's respect.
Why Shane will win: I think it the same scenario the Shane faced with Vernon Forrest in reverse. Some people just have your number. It may be psychological, but that is more the norm than not. Just because Shane lost to Forrest doesn't make him less a fighter, than the one De La Hoya faced and lost to in 2000. He just lost. Confidence is the key here. Shane didn't have confidence that he could beat Forrest after the 1st fight, but he knows he can beat Oscar, and on the flip side Oscar doesn't know if he can be Shane. Oscar's saying he can, and that he actually won their match in 2000, but that is just lip service. I saw the fight and Shane dominated DLH just as much as Forrest dominated Shane. I don't see DLH bringing nothing new to the table to beat Shane. Shane is too quick, just as strong, and has the mental edge.
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