Following two defeats at the hands of Vernon Forrest, a veil of invincibility no longer hangs over ‘Sugar†Shane Mosley, but he might still have the Golden Boy’s number.
Although it was Oscar de la Hoya who declined an immediate rematch after his defeat at the hands of the sweet one, in June 2000, it is he who instigated their long-awaited return, which takes place on Saturday in Las Vegas. He regards the loss to Mosley, on a split decision, as his only true defeat and one that needs to be avenged.
Their first meeting came nine months after De la Hoya suffered the first loss of his professional career, against Felix Trinidad. While he has never accepted that loss it may have contributed to the one he does acknowledge against Mosley.
De la Hoya earned the nickname, the ‘Golden Boyâ€, after being the only United States boxer to win gold at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Following his win he danced around the ring with a US flag in one hand and a Mexican flag in the other. It was clear this was no ordinary fighter: he was not only a talented boxer but also an articulate one — with a winning personality and a smile as golden as the medal he had won.
Soon after the Olympics De la Hoya turned professional, having notched up an amateur record of 223 wins against five losses. Fifteen months later and in only his 12th pro fight he won his first world title with a 10th-round TKO of Jimmi Bredahl for the World Boxing Organisation junior-lightweight crown.
He moved up through the weight divisions until he dethroned Pernell Whitaker for the WBC welterweight crown. Three years and seven defences later it was the showdown of the century, De la Hoya vs Trinidad.
The frustration of that defeat clearly affected De La Hoya. He was no longer the pound-for-pound king and needed vindication. Trinidad refused a return so he decided Mosley would pay.
This attitude led De la Hoya to go KO crazy in an attempt to knock out the fleet-footed Mosley. Looking for the big one left the champion open to attack and Mosley landed 284 of his 678 punches thrown, the most blows De La Hoya has ever received in a fight.
Mosley went on to make three impressive defences of his crown against formidable opposition, but then his world came tumbling down as he lost a brutal fight to Forrest in January last year. The two met again six months later. While it was a closer contest, Forrest had figured out how to beat the man who beat the man and did it again.
While Mosley suddenly found himself with diminishing options, the two losses on De la Hoya’s record did little harm to his popularity. After his loss to Mosley, the Golden Boy stepped up another division to become one of the few fighters to win world titles in five weight divisions.
One of the most appealing aspects of Saturday’s fight is that the two boxers are tailor-made for each other. The result will largely depend on who gets off first. De la Hoya is the bookies’ favourite and has promised to win inside the distance. Mosley likewise has predicted victory, but while De la Hoya is motivated by revenge, Sugar is fighting for survival.