He doesn’t look bad at 44 but Shane Mosley (47-9-1, 39 KO’s) is almost two years removed from his last competitive appearance, when he suffered a TKO loss against Anthony Mundine in round seven after complaining of severe back pain to his corner and the referee.
He will be back in action on August 29th against old rival Ricardo Mayorga (31-8-1, 25 KO’s) in a rematch from their 2008 fight. That one ended with a brutal left hook KO for Mosley seconds before the final bell sounded to end a close, entertaining 12 rounds.
I am unsure what a victory would mean against a Mayorga, who only returned to the fold last year following a two-year hiatus. Inactivity and age would surely condemn both men as past their peak, yet the show is still available for the princely sum of $49.95 should you wish to see it.
In the last few bouts before his break against Saul Alvarez, Pablo Cesar Cano and finally Mundine, Mosley looked laboured and took many shots well avoided in younger days. Reflexes do not improve with age.
However, it would be unfair to criticise Mosley for a showing he is yet to make. He could very well look impressive in his return having spent time with former welterweight champion Shawn Porter and his father/trainer Ken in preparation.
He said more than anything the break from active duty will have done him some good when he spoke to Boxing News Online.
“I took some time off to heal some nagging injuries that I had, but I stayed in the gym and stayed in shaped. I think I can fight another 3-4 years. I don’t know if I can go on ‘till I am 50 like Bernard [Hopkins] but I think I have a lot of fight left in me.”
Few have been blessed with genetics like Hopkins. The majority of us begin to decline after our fifth decade begins, and it appears to be so for Mosley based on his most recent efforts between the ropes. Regardless, he is hoping a chance will open up to avenge some high profile losses with an impressive display against Mayorga.
“The goal is still to have rematches against Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. I want to avenge those losses.”
Mosley would need to turn the clock back half a decade for this and five more fights after if he plans to take on Alvarez again, who looks improved each time out and is slowly creeping closer to middleweight pound by pound; further from Mosley’s reach.
Mayweather, Pacquiao and Cotto have been on the level Alvarez is just now reaching for years, putting them even further afield from coming back to give Mosley another crack.
If Mosley stays intent on continuing his career, he may have to settle for less glamorous opposition than his reputation has rightly granted him up until now.
