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Sweet victory 'Sugar Shane' shines against De La Hoya
Posted: Tuesday June 20, 2000 08:07 PM
They fought each other years ago as kids weighing just 75 pounds. Now it was for keeps and bigger stakes. Defending champions Oscar De La Hoya lost a 12-round split decision to challenger Shane Mosley for the welterweight title before the home folks in Los Angeles. CNNSI.com's Nick Charles spoke with Mosley and his father/trainer Jack Mosley in this one on one after the bout. Nick Charles: What were the crucial elements that won this fight for you Shane? Shane Mosley: Like I said at the beginning, we're going to go soul searching. And I believe at the end, I was a stronger man and that's why I won the fight in the 12th round. Charles: How about at the beginning? After three (rounds) he (De la Hoya) seemed to be breaking through. After six, he was ahead on all the cards. How did you keep you head?
Mosley: Well, I knew that, my (trainer) father (Jack) kept me calm. He said, "Stay relaxed, you're doing good. But you've got to keep bobbin' and weavin'." I knew I had to throw more shots. Oscar was trying to very hard to look spectacular and I knew he was doing that. So I kind of evaded a little bit of (his) shots and just kind of rolled a little bit. And every now and then hit him with hard shots. So I think he got himself a litle winded, a little tired in the later rounds. I finished strong. Charles: His jabs stopped, you started to roll away from his power shots. But you hit him with the right hand consistently all night. Was it easier than you thought? Mosely: I was hitting with the right hand, but I had to be careful with the left hook. So, you know, I mean the right hand was there for me. I blooded his nose a little bit and I seen his nose running. I was just relaxed and I tried to be relaxed in the later rounds. I knew in the 12th round we were going to go to war. Charles: Shane, both of you guys stepped up to the plate around the 9th round. You were both soaking up shots. How did you possibly find this new gear? Because you pumped up the volume. You were throwing 70 shots a round and you finished with 86. Where did iy come from? It was a gut-check. Mosley: As the rounds went I starting loosening up a bit. Maybe when the fight first started I was a little tight. But I got more relaxed and comfortable in the fight. And it was easy for me to throw more combinations and more punches. Charles: Jack, does Oscar get a rematch? Jack Mosley: Yes, it's in the contract and Shane said he would oblige Oscar a rematch. He said Oscar was gracious enough to give him this fight. So Shane could show his greatness and prove that he is the best fighter on top of the world right now. And he said, "yes, I would give Oscar a rematch because he deserves it." Charles: Shane, how good do you feel? Mosley: I feel great. I'm a little sore now. My back is a liitle sore. But it was a great fight. And like I said, I would definiely give him a rematch. I respect Oscar a lot. He's a great champion and you had two champions in there and we must make history once again.
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