Last Updated on October 10, 2003 by Paulette Brown-Hinds

It’s “Sugar” Shane Mosley over Oscar De la Hoya in a controversial unanimous decision

By Dave Vidales
BVN Staff

The much anticipated sequel for the Super Welterweight crown between two great champions goes to Shane Mosley by judges decision.

Prior to the fight, odds makers placed Shane Mosley as an overwhelming underdog to take any belts away from popular champion Oscar De la Hoya. For Oscar, the fight was less about revenge as it was about amending a loss to a fight he felt he could dominate.

Oscar knows that it was Mosley who was perceived as the more powerful and accurate puncher in their first fight at Staples Center.

Holding both 154 pound WBA and WBC titles, De la Hoya put it all on the line. He had spoken with a great deal of confidence and had stated that he might retire if he could not beat Mosley. The fighters, both from the Southland, are as familiar with each other as casual friends from high school. With similar frames and great talent, they were destined to meet in the ring more than once.

For Pomona’s Shane Mosley, it has been difficult to muster the interest in big fights that would include him. It is no mystery why HBO cultivates popular champions like Oscar De la Hoya. Oscar’s “Q” rating has been so high that in the past, a lessor opponent would not necessarily diminish the show.

Unfortunately for Oscar, a great champion, his co-star on this night was Sugar Shane Mosley.

The fighters went toe to toe all night. After the 12th round there was no real consensus, no knock downs, no standing 8 counts. The decision came quickly. Mosley, unanimous on all cards! Boxing purists might point to the Compu-Box statistics that had De la Hoya ahead in most categories they measure, however, let’s give Shane Mosley and his manager/father Jack Mosley their due.

Shane Mosley has had to adapt, coming way up in weight to take on a great champion like Oscar De la Hoya. As Oscar, a popular champion, contemplates his career, let’s not judge him for the loss.

There is no doubt, fans of boxing would love to see another rematch, for now, let us celebrate a remarkable achievement and honor Sugar Shane Mosley, the new WBA/WBC Super Welterweight Champion.