Antonio Margarito Vs Shane Mosley: Fight Analysis and Predictions

On Saturday, January 24, boxing will kick off 2009 with its first big fight. Antonio Margarito (37-5) will take on Shane Mosley (45-5) in a battle between the Ring magazine No. 1 and No. 3 ranked Welterweights.

The fight will be for Margarito's WBA trinket, but much more will be on the line, as this is a crossroads fight for both fighters. A win by Margarito sets up a rematch with Cotto and hopefully a rematch down the road with Paul Williams, the last man to best the Tijuana Tornado. A win for Mosley will prove the future hall of famer still has what it takes to beat the best in the world, and may be a good win to retire on.

The styles-

Margarito is the epitome of a Mexican fighter, a straight ahead brawler who will take two punches to land one. He throws upwards of 100 punches per round on occasions, and has a world class chin. He has improved his defense as of late, but it is still his biggest weakness.

In his last fight he knocked out previously unbeaten Miguel Cotto, after taking a pounding over the first half of the fight. Starting around round seven or so, he wore Cotto down, and pounded him until Cotto could take no more.

In this fight he should look to use a similar game plan against Mosley, working the body and throwing punches in bunches.

As for Mosley, he is a former multi-division champ who has been in with the best of the best. In his prime, he was practically unbeatable at lightweight, and possessed speed and power almost unheard of at that weight. He is a true student of the game, and was once an awesome combination puncher.

He is towards the tail end of his career, and is not the force he once was. He still packs a punch, and has never been knocked out.

In his last fight he took on wild brawler Ricardo Mayorga, stopping him just seconds before the final bell. Up until that point it had been a lackluster performance for Mosley, who a few years ago would have been expected to take care of business much earlier than that.

Against Margarito, look for him to employ a stick and move strategy that served Cotto well against him. He will look to use his footwork and angles to keep turning Margarito, and keep himself off the ropes. He will need to keep a fast pace, and maintain it.

My prediction-

This fight should be a carbon copy of the Margarito/Cotto fight, except for an earlier stoppage. Mosley has all the same attributes Cotto has, and in his prime might have been able to ride out the decision. He has always came in great shape, and rarely gets tired.

However, against Mayorga, Mosley showed signs of slippage. He couldn't put his punches together, and was outworked by Mayorga in several rounds. He got away with it against Mayorga, it won't work against Margarito. Look for Mosley to box effectively early on, working the body and showing flashes of his old brilliance.

Around rounds four or five, look for Margarito to start pressing and working the body and pounding Mosley, with little return fire.This fight may end with multiple knockdowns and the ref may have to save Mosley from himself.

Margarito TKO Mosley in round seven.