Shane Mosley Dominates Antonio Margarito, Wins Welterweight Title

Posted Jan 24, 2009 11:02PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: WBA, HBO

In a stunning upset, Shane Mosley defeated Antonio Margarito at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, winning the welterweight championship of the world.

Mosley got off to a fast start, dominating the early rounds and frustrating Margarito, who couldn't get anything going. It wasn't until the seventh round that Margarito even resembled the man who beat Miguel Cotto last year. And in the eighth, Mosley absolutely demolished Margarito, flooring him with seconds remaining in the round. Margarito just barely staggered to his feet, and Mosley finished him off in the ninth.

The bout was exciting, but it was also clouded by allegations of cheating against both boxers. Mosley has come under increased scrutiny over his involvement in the BALCO performance-enhancing drugs scandal, while Margarito is accused of hiding plaster in his hand wraps in an attempt to harden his hands.

But while those issues overshadowed the fight, nothing can overshadow the fact that Mosley, at age 37, had what may have been the greatest performance of his career.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-25-2009 @ 12:35AM

murph207 said...

This was a fantastic fight on Sugars part. his best fight in YEARS !! and of course no one from HBO had the Brass to ask Margarito what happend in the locker room with his tape! this has to bring into question EVERY fight Margatito has ever won

1-25-2009 @ 5:59AM

big dick214 said...

man Margarito had this match but he came out weak instead of coming out strong he could of won but it looked like he was sloppy and did not connect good with his punches

1-25-2009 @ 12:44AM

FRANK said...

The way to beat a puncher is fighting the puncher side to side NOT in front of him
like Cotto did or Cintron but Mosley with
his experience knew better from the get go,
good for Mosley that shows that experience
pays big time when you do your homework, firm.

1-25-2009 @ 1:08AM

Doggie said...

THE BEST THING'S IN LIFE ARE FREE!!!!!! MY GOD WHAT A PERFORMANCE BY SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY. ALL THE TALK ABOUT THE TIAJUANA TORNADO? WELL IT MET THE PERFECT STORM ON 1/24/2009 IN THE FORM OF SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY. I DIDN'T THINK SUGAR WOULD LAST PAST THREE ROUND'S. NOT BECAUSE OF MARGARITOS UNRELENTLESS PRESSURE BUT BECAUSE OF SUGAR'S AGE. WELL SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT AGE IS JUST A NUMBER, WHEN HEART AND HARD WORK AND SWEAT DICTATE A MAN'S ULTIMATE DESIRE....I AM A MAN SO HERE I STAND TILL THE VERY END.

1-25-2009 @ 1:13AM

JuNiOr said...

I thought it was going to be a great fight for Margarito but I guess it wasn't. I heard he was better than paqueao but I guess his not.

1-25-2009 @ 6:10AM

DM said...

I hope this ends the " He lost because he's old , washed up, not at his prime " argument. DeLa Hoya should know this. Hopkins and Sugar are way older than him. By the way, Manny Pacquiao over Ricky Hatton by way of murder.

1-25-2009 @ 10:20AM

Mike said...

Possibly the best fight Mosley has ever fought. Certainly his best in many years. Unbelievable and awe inspiring. GREAT JOB!

1-25-2009 @ 10:55AM

trdaggers said...

I don't believe plaster pads would have even helped Margarito. Just to much hand speed from Mosley.

1-25-2009 @ 12:35PM

bigjm1955 said...

shane mosley is the best out there.allhe needs is to fight pacman and mayweather win both then he can retire

1-25-2009 @ 3:20PM

steelgonzo said...

Plaster, i thought they put that on walls, what the heck is happening in this sport. The real fighter came,saw and conquered.great job Shane Mosley.

1-25-2009 @ 3:23PM

usa boxing rules said...

Good for shane mosley!!!!!! see that mexico MARGARITO GOT SMASHED!!!!! mosley just to quick for that slow mexican

1-25-2009 @ 6:54PM

xman132 said...

Shane Mosley fought a masrerful fight and completely destroyed Margarito. On another note I wonder how many fights Margarito has engaged in with illegal substances in his gloves. Having been around the fight game myself I know that a substance such as plaster of paris slowly hardens and causes the opponents face to swell severly (sound familiar as per the Cotto fight)

1-25-2009 @ 7:25PM

Pito said...

After winning the undisputed title from Cotto, Margarito thought I cannot let it go. I can only repeat what I did against Cotto and use plaster pads to lead the gloves and beat Mosley. His reputation and his record in my mind, are both destroyed as of the moment they found the loaded gloves. One can't possibly believe what Margarito and his cornermen say now, because they're definitely going to try and soften the blow now. They'll never admit wrong-doing. Margarito will say; I can't argue with my trainer while he's wrapping my hands. My trainer does his job [train and wrap hands] and I do mine ["cheat" and fight - of course he'll leave the first out]. That's the nature of the beast. After all, during the aftermath of the Cotto fight, the rumor of illegal substances or steroid surfaced. After a little bit of denying, Margarito's trainer suddenly came to his senses and tried to soften matters by admitting he gasve Margarito some medicine to calm his nerves the day before the fight. That "substance" was not found in the dopage test or at least not revealed. What ever happened? It tells me the truth, that boxing is a sport of money and the man that has the potential to bring the highest purse is the ultimate winner [Ricky Hatton v. Luis Collazo] and again [Luis Collazo v. Andre Berto]. A man who isn't as recognize or flamboyant, cannot bring cash to the sport's "regulators". In the interest of having Margarito face De La Hoya, and bringing forth a multi million dollar fight like DLH brings, Cotto had to sacrifice his title. So no substance was found even after the admition by Margarito's trainer, Cottos corner didn't observe the wrapping carefully as Nazim Richardson, and a new undisputed welterweight champ was born out of the ashes of that fight. Fortunately OLH was smarter than to fall prey to that game and the ever watchful eye of Nazim caught the ever cheating hands of Margarito and his camp.... Plain and simple.... I love the sport with all my being, till I die, I just hate what idiots will do to win at any cost.....

1-25-2009 @ 10:07PM

jon said...

Magarito is just another crude Mexican fighter and was exposed by the very talented Mosley,congradulations to Mosley.

1-26-2009 @ 1:57AM

lyfesaga said...

HOW ABOUT COTTO VS PAUL WILLIAMS OR COTTO VS BERTO
MOSLEY VS WILLIAMS OR MOSLEY VS BERTO LETS GET A UNIFICATION OF THE TITLES THESE DOES ANYONE AGREE ON THESE FIGHTS

1-27-2009 @ 5:47PM

BEAUTIFUL said...

Cotto is the true champion.

1-31-2009 @ 11:15AM

john said...

What do I think about the fight that Sugar had against Margarito? Pride!! Proud that Sugar had a competent team member, to find what he did find & inform the proper athourities. Let's face it had he not found what he found in his wrappings who knows how long this guy would have been doing this for. Personally I'm now very & clearly convinced that he used something agaist Coto- in thier fight, cause we all saw that although Coto had control of the fight up until the 8th round. His face looked like it had been in a frieght train accident. Everyone knos that Magarito has always been known for having a solid beared, but he has never been known for having a devistating Punch or punches for that matter. Take another look at the fight & you'll see what I'm saying is true.!!

1-31-2009 @ 11:16AM

John Alvarez said...

1-31-2009 @ 7:00PM

dlmcons said...

They need to check both fighters for both alleged acts..Mosley cannot be considered a great fighter if he took performance enhancing drugs..No athlete can..The days of true champs are over.No class in fighyters today..or any other athletes who take drugs to help them get the edge..I will never watch a football game again..or baseball..or hockey ad infintim...The greats are gone folks.Today's athletes could not have been in the same stadium as old fighters,football players..etc...It's a druggy world people..Nothing is real..but all you want is to see the athletes personal lives and their newest RAP VIDEO! Sheesh..sad for us all.

1-31-2009 @ 7:04PM

Nobody said they HAD found anything in his gloves! Prove it and if so,hang the coward!And while you're at it,find the truth about Mosley and his performance enhancers..then hang that sucker too! If no proof...hang the accusers! That's fair isn't it? It is also simple..