Sugar Rush: Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto: PREDICTION

A severe spike in glucose levels, or a “sugar rush”, is caused by the consumption of high glycemic foods, or foods that release high amounts of sugar into the bloodstream.  The real question is, is can this phenomenon also be caused by the consumption of a high volume of punches?  On Saturday, January 30^th, the 2010 elite boxing schedule will commence with a welterweight title unification bout (WBC & WBA) between “Sugar” Shane Mosley and Andre “The Beast” Berto, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, aired only on HBO. 

The potential for a classic “changing of the guard” bout is one of the alluring aspects of this match up.  Similar to when we saw Hearns defeat Benitez or DelaHoya defeat Chavez, “old blood” is eventually replaced by new in the sport of boxing.  However, this pivotal moment in prize fighting typically takes place when the younger challenger is 100 percent ready to take his place at the “throne”.  For his sake, I hope Berto will be completely ready for the challenge, because if the same Mosley enters the ring that entered the ring against Antonio Margarito in 2008, we may be waiting in the wings for a new sentry.

Tale of the Tape

Height:

Mosley 5’9”/ Berto 5’8-1/2” ADVANTAGE Mosley by ½”

Weight:

Mosley 147lbs/ Berto 147lbs EVEN

Reach:

Mosley 74”/ Berto 72” ADVANTAGE Mosley by 2”

Andre Berto of Miami, Fl fights in a style similar to the natural disaster that plagues his state of birth—a hurricane.  The current WBC Welterweight title holder’s explosive approach to pugilism makes him a fan favorite amongst boxing fans around the world.  This is due in part to his devastating right uppercut, but also to his lightning fast-- fingers?  To say the Beast is “internet-savvy” is an understatement. 

Let us not omit that Andre Berto is a pioneer.  He is one of the new breed of “self-marketing” athletes who promote themselves on internet networking sites and communication mediums like Twitter.  In between training, I assume, Berto finds time to socialize with his fans on the internet, by releasing motivational content, celebrity praise, where he’s partying, or even “trash talking” his next opponent.  In short, he is a “Twitteraholic”. 

My only advice for the young “Beast” would be to take an “old school” mental approach towards the “throw back” opponent that he’s facing in Shane Mosley.  Take a walk through a forest at night, chop fire wood, or perhaps begin taking cold showers.  Even other boxers have “tweeted” to the Haitian-American rising star, that he may want to temporarily abandon his internet pursuits to pursue a dogged mindset against a strong, fast, and fierce opponent in the well seasoned Hall of Famer-to-be. 

In 2009, Shane Mosley has had a great impact as to why boxing is on the ascent with major fights on the horizon for 2010.  He not only surprised the boxing world with a devastating knockout over the “Tijuana Tornado”, but has also been instrumental as a partner with Golden Boy Promotions to bring “A Class” boxers to the public eye.  In addition, with a commitment to fitness and ring tactician Nasim Richardson now in his corner, the aging veteran may have found his fountain of youth. 

Mosley’s career certainly seems to be “catching a second wind”.   When you couple this with his ring experience, it makes for a severe obstacle even for a young talented fighter.  However, even the “magically” gifted who may believe they don’t need anything, need something.  The “Urban Dictionary” defines experience as such:

                                                “If you have it, you don't need it.
                                                If you need it, you don't have it.
                                                If you have it, you need more of it.
                                                If you have more of it, you don't need less of it.
                                                You need it to get it.
                                                And you certainly need it to get more of it.
                                                But if you don't already have any of it to begin with,
                                                you can't get any of it to get started with,
                                                so you have no idea how to get any of it in the first place.
                                                Bottom line, if you've never had any of it ever. People just seem to know.”

Above all else, I believe experience will prove to be the key factor as to why Sugar Shane Mosley wins this fight.    Although Berto is coming off of wins against Juan Urango, Luis Collazo, and Steve Forbes, Berto seemed to struggle at times with the latter two opponents.  To his credit, Berto has improved aspects of his “game” with each of his last three title defenses.  However, most boxing pundits would agree that “Sugar” Shane Mosley will be his most formidable, and definitely his “sweetest”, test to date. 

In examining Mosley’s fight history, “Sugar” has consistently fought well against pressure fighters.  Vargas, Mayorga, and Margarito all love to press the action with controlled, and at times, wild aggression.  This style would be the best option for Berto in this fight, but unfortunately it is still a losing option.  Attempting to outbox “Sugar” is even worse.  Mosley is the better boxer, and can punish opponents by setting traps and effectively countering.   

For all boxing fans, January 30^th should be a “sweet” occasion as we witness the WBC and WBA belts unified.  I still believe Andre Berto is the welterweight of the near future, but his fight against the inevitable third prize fighting Hall-of-Famer donning the nickname “Sugar” comes too soon.  Floyd Mayweather, Sr. showed us how to make Kool Aid in HBO’s 24/7 series, and I’m officially drinking it.  And let me tell you, it’s sweet--too sweet.  How sweet you may ask?  Let’s just say that it’s so sweet it can be bad for your health.  However, the experience Berto needs to become legendary will be made available on that night at Mandalay Bay.  Sugar rush.