Does Shane Mosley Deserve Another Go 'Round?

Does Shane Mosley Deserve Another Go 'Round?
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 20, 2012

When it was floated out there that we could potentially be seeing 147-pound titlist Paulie Malignaggi defending his strap against a comebacking Shane Mosley next year at Barclays Center, it was met immediately with complete disdain from the boxing community.

The reaction of this writer was congruent to that at first, but after thinking about it, felt as though it is pretty knee jerk. Yes, Mosley has looked like he has lost a step in his previous four fights since demolishing Antonio Margarito in January 2009, which now seems like a lifetime ago. But take into account that his two losses at 147, where he'd be fighting Malignaggi, came against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Against Canelo Alvarez in May, Mosley looked like he couldn't pull the trigger, but that fight took place at 154 where Shane never really was unstoppable, even closer to his prime. Doesn't a warrior like Mosley, who fought everyone, deserve an opportunity to prove he doesn't have it anymore?

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Amir Khan stops Carlos Molina in comeback victory

Amir Khan stops Carlos Molina in comeback victory
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 16, 2012


LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Saturday night at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Showtime Championship Boxing, Carlos Molina fought like a guy in search of that Cinderella moment, similar to the one Josesito Lopez found in his shock victory against Victor Ortiz in June.

Alas, the glass slipper didn't quite fit Molina. With blood seeping into his eye from almost the opening bell, Molina acquitted himself well en route to a 10th round stoppage loss against a comebacking Amir Khan in front of 6,109 fans. With the win, Khan put a stop to his two bout losing streak in his first fight under the guidance of renowned trainer Virgil Hunter.

In the opening round, Khan showed more control than in previous bouts, as he pushed Molina back with combinations but didn't allow himself to be lured into a firefight the way the Khan of old often did. Molina was cut over his left eye in the opening minute of the fight.

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Marquez halts Pacquiao in instant classic

Marquez halts Pacquiao in instant classic
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
December 10, 2012

LAS VEGAS--Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the unbelievable run of future boxing Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao came to a halt, as a devastating right hand from the Filipino Congressman's greatest rival, Juan Manuel Marquez, knocked him unconscious. The end came with one second left in the 6th round and was a shocking end considering the first three fights between the two went the distance.

The fight far exceeded the buzz that was generated beforehand--many boxing scribes had figured the bout would go much like the third one had--a tactical affair with a bit of action sprinkled throughout. Though both fighters were saying before the fight they were gunning for knockouts, many chalked that up to the kind of talk necessary to sell the pay-per-view purchasing public.

Jessie Vargas pounds out decision over Vito Gasparyan

Jessie Vargas pounds out decision over Vito Gasparyan
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 8, 2012

LAS VEGAS—In the second night of Top Rank's boxing extravaganza in Las Vegas, local welterweight contender Jessie Vargas pounded out a 10 round unanimous decision over durable Vito Gasparyan of Glendale, Calif. at the Texas Station Gambling Hall on Friday night.

Vargas did a lot of solid work to the body, which helped slow Gasparyan down much earlier than he would have liked. Gasparyan landed, but it was usually arm punches around the guard of Vargas rather than flush shots on the chin.

Vargas opened up early in the fight and allowed Gasparyan catch him with solid counters. Vargas then adjusted his gameplan to fight more on the inside, as he was on Gasparyan's chest for much of the night.

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Raymundo Beltran tops Ji-Hoon Kim, overcoming a knockdown

Raymundo Beltran tops Ji-Hoon Kim, overcoming a knockdown
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 7, 2012

LAS VEGAS -- In a topsy-turvy lightweight bout, Raymundo Beltran and Ji-Hoon Kim engaged in an entertaining battle in the 10-round main event at the Mirage Hotel & Casino on a special Thursday edition of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. It was the first fight at the Mirage in more than 15 years, and Beltran won the unanimous decision.

The opening round was as crowd-pleasing as they come as Beltran was dropped hard in the opening minute but was able to battle back and put Kim on the canvas in the final seconds of the round.

Beltran carried that momentum into the 2nd. He battered Kim for much of the salvo and would have finished the job of he had five more seconds as Kim was out on his feet but was saved by the bell.

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Marquez hoping fourth time the charm against Pacquiao

Marquez hoping fourth time the charm against Pacquiao

Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
December 6, 2012

LAS VEGAS--The fourth time is the charm.

That is the hope of Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez at least, who at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday meets fellow future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao for the fourth time in the last eight years, looking to score his first official victory over the Filipino icon during their rivalry.

Many would argue that Marquez has won at least 24 of the 36 rounds the two fighters have fought in their three fights. However, Pacquiao holds the edge in having put Marquez on the canvas four times, including three times in the opening round of their first fight back in May 2004.

West Coast Boxing Report, Dec. 3

West Coast Boxing Report, Dec. 3
Mark E. Ortega
Queensberry-Rules.com
December 3, 2012

Devon Alexander-Kell Brook Likely Headed for Los Angeles 

Last week, talks began to surface that the Jan. 19 Showtime Championship Boxing card headlined by Devon Alexander (24-1, 13 KOs) of St. Louis and Kell Brook (29-0, 19 KOs) of the United Kingdom was projected to take place in Las Vegas, likely at the MGM Grand. The bout will be for Alexander's IBF 147 pound belt.

The card, which will run against an HBO tripleheader in New York that same night, will instead take place in Los Angeles, according to sources close to the promotion, with an announcement likely being made Wednesday as to the venue and undercard.

Junior welterweight Lucas Matthysse is a name that has been mentioned for the televised undercard, with Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer saying matchmaker Eric Gomez would have an opponent ready for announcement in the matter of a few days. [UPDATE: Golden Boy matchmaker Robert Diaz confirmed via e-mail Tuesday that the card would take place at Nokia Theater in L.A., and that Matthysse would be in the co-main event in a three-bout broadcast.]

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