By Stephen Donatelli
Same Story, Different Fighter?
On Saturday, May 28th, 2016, 'Sugar' Shane Mosley (41-9-1, 41 KOs) will face, the somewhat unknown, Russian David Avanesyan (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in Glendale, Arizona.
On Saturday, May 28th, 2016, 'Sugar' Shane Mosley (41-9-1, 41 KOs) will face, the somewhat unknown, Russian David Avanesyan (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in Glendale, Arizona.
When this bout first came to fruition (and I'm not going to sugarcoat it), I said to myself NOT AGAIN. In his latest interviews, the always-articulate Mosley is starting to have a bit of a slur to his speech, whether he or his team wants to admit it. I understand the passion and loyalty professionals have for sports, but Boxing isn't a game to me, it's 'The Sweet Science.' People close to Mosley, who support his continuation for fighting, claim that he needs the money and that his ex-wife is bleeding him dry. Do they really understand that Shane is 44 years old, while his counter-part in the ring that night will be 27? Don't get me wrong, 'Sugar' Shane is still very capable of fighting at a high level, just not at a sport where his speed and defense can bail him out anymore.
Enter Mosley's opponent, Russian born David Avanesyan, who suffered his only loss way back in 2009 by way of a 6-round unanimous decision. Avanesyan knows all about the legacy of 'Sugar' Shane Mosley and what he has done on the big stage, but now he feels he's the hungry lion ready to pounce his way into the very deep and enriched 'Welterweight' division!
Something about the winner of 'Mosley vs. Avanesyan' getting a shot at the winner of the long over-due 'Keith 'One Time' Thurman vs, 'Showtime' Shown Porter' encounter just doesn't sit well with me, and I'm sure other true Boxing Aficionados agree. With so many great Welterweights we are blessed to watch, it would be nice to see the winner of this fight at least have to fight another contender. I'm not taking any credit away from the winner of the card billed, "U.S.A. vs. Russia!" The old version of 'Sugar' Shane is the one I have seen dismantle the favorite, Antonio Margarito, and the same Mosley who hurt then, pound-4-pound kingpin, Floyd Mayweather Jr.! The list of guys he defeated goes on and on; Oscar De La Hoya (twice), Fernando Vargas (twice), Ricardo Mayorga and you can make a pretty good argument he defeated Puerto Rican superstar, Miguel Cotto, when they went to war back in the end of 2007.
Something about the winner of 'Mosley vs. Avanesyan' getting a shot at the winner of the long over-due 'Keith 'One Time' Thurman vs, 'Showtime' Shown Porter' encounter just doesn't sit well with me, and I'm sure other true Boxing Aficionados agree. With so many great Welterweights we are blessed to watch, it would be nice to see the winner of this fight at least have to fight another contender. I'm not taking any credit away from the winner of the card billed, "U.S.A. vs. Russia!" The old version of 'Sugar' Shane is the one I have seen dismantle the favorite, Antonio Margarito, and the same Mosley who hurt then, pound-4-pound kingpin, Floyd Mayweather Jr.! The list of guys he defeated goes on and on; Oscar De La Hoya (twice), Fernando Vargas (twice), Ricardo Mayorga and you can make a pretty good argument he defeated Puerto Rican superstar, Miguel Cotto, when they went to war back in the end of 2007.
As for the unknown Russian David Avanesyan, hard-core boxing fans, or people in the Gym of Welterweight Champ/IBF Welterweight Champion, "Special K' Kell Brook,willsayAvanesyan is best-known as the guy who caused a rib injury to Kell Brook last October, which canceled Brook's scheduled December title defense against Diego Chaves.
This should be a tough fight for the 44-year-old Mosley, because he’s fighting one of the better-unknown welterweights in the division in the young 27-year-old but inexperienced, Russian Avanesyan. I wish Mosley would retire either way after this fight, but it won't happen, and the thought of Mosley potentially fighting Porter or Thurman isn’t good. I see Mosley doing pretty good early, but as it gets to the middle rounds, he finds himself trying to pace knowing it's 12 rounds. On the other hand, Avanesyan hasn't been under the big lights yet, and stage fright can get the best of any boxer, but I don't think so here. This fight will come down to who pulls out those close rounds when there's 30 seconds left. It tells me little when Avanesyan’s biggest fights have come against Kaizer Mabuza, Charlie Navarro, and Dean Byrne. However, it also doesn't help that since Mosley has made his comeback, he’s fought 41-year-old Mayorga, and the little known Patrick Lopez.
This should be a tough fight for the 44-year-old Mosley, because he’s fighting one of the better-unknown welterweights in the division in the young 27-year-old but inexperienced, Russian Avanesyan. I wish Mosley would retire either way after this fight, but it won't happen, and the thought of Mosley potentially fighting Porter or Thurman isn’t good. I see Mosley doing pretty good early, but as it gets to the middle rounds, he finds himself trying to pace knowing it's 12 rounds. On the other hand, Avanesyan hasn't been under the big lights yet, and stage fright can get the best of any boxer, but I don't think so here. This fight will come down to who pulls out those close rounds when there's 30 seconds left. It tells me little when Avanesyan’s biggest fights have come against Kaizer Mabuza, Charlie Navarro, and Dean Byrne. However, it also doesn't help that since Mosley has made his comeback, he’s fought 41-year-old Mayorga, and the little known Patrick Lopez.
In any case, come Saturday night, a faded Boxing Legend that gave me tons of enjoyment will lose a somewhat clear, but at times, very competitive Unanimous Decision! Mosley will probably say (if he loses) that he still proved he can get in with a #1 contender and still NOT get beat up bad. And I'll sadly be watching the fights, and more than likely, go watch his first win over 'The Golden Boy' Oscar De La Hoya! As far as David Avanesyan, he rightfully earned a hard fought, tough victory, but next time out he'll either be seeing: 'One Time' Thurman or 'Showtime' Shawn and that can be very bad news!
Stephen Donatelli is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and contributes to www.theboxingglove.com. If you would like to contact him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steved2012?fref=nf
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