Bruno on Boxing

    Sugar Shane Mosley, well behind after the first six rounds, turned the fight around in the final six, eking out a split decision over Oscar De La Hoya at the Staples Center in La la Land, home of the Lakers, the former Brooklyn Dodgers and the decidedly brain-dead Hollywood flick fraternity.  

    Judges Lou Filippo and Pat Russell had Mosley ahead by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, respectively.  Judge Marty Sammon had de la Hoya winning, 115-113. Even though the CBZ scorecard read 114-114 -- a draw, there's no argument with the decision here.

    De La Hoya was gracious in defeat. 

    "Mosley deserved the victory," De la Hoya said. "He's a good champion. I
 have no problem with him winning, he's good. More power to him. He's strong. He was in great shape. And he kept on coming. We put on a good show.  He was very prepared.  He is great fighter, a great person. "

    Mosley was just as complimentary to his opponent.

    "I was just the better man tonight," Mosley said .  "This means a lot to me because I showed the world who Sugar Shane Mosley was.  Deep inside, I am the true champion, just as well as he is a true champion."

    Mosley said his moving up in weight from 135 was no drawback.

     "I am a lot stronger at 147," Mosley said.  "He has nice, crisp, sharp shots. But I never was really dazed in the fight.  I did know if I stayed in there long, he would catch me and probably hurt me."

    Watching a fight on TV is a big disadvantage over watching a fight live at ringside. TV is two dimensional, and when the punches are flying as fast and furious as last night, it's hard to tell how solidly some punches land, and the force of their impact. Three other fight fans who watched the fight with the CBZ Saturday night all had De La Hoya winning by a close margin. But a review Sunday morning of the fight coverage by the scribes in attendance showed Mosley a clear winner. Three men, whose views I respect, Mike Katz of Houseofboxing, Wally Matthews  of the NY Post and Eddie Schuyler of the Associated Press all had Mosley winning by a clear margin. It just didn't look that convincing on the tube.

    When De La Hoya came out in the first round, he surprised everyone by forcing  Mosley to fight backing up. It was assumed by those in the know, that Mosley's best chance of winning was to back up De La Hoya and fire punches from all angles ala Smokin' Joe Frazier. But De La Hoya, who's intestinal fortitude has been questioned by many in the past, forced the fight, repeatedly hurting Mosley with crisp left jabs, and hooks to the body.

The CBZ's scorecard gave Mosley the first round and De La Hoya the next five.

    After round six, Mosley went back to his corner, the look on his face of a beaten man.

    Yet Mosley came out in the seventh, and although De La Hoya was still moving forward, Mosley used lateral movement and his lighting quick fists to turn the tide. The CBZ gave Mosley rounds seven through ten, and De La Hoya the 11th.

    The 12th round was a classic, with both men trying to knock out the other with savage roundhouse blows. Mosley repeatedly avoided De La Hoya's bull-rushes, and landed enough of his own punches to win the round decisively.

    Bullspit Bob Arum, De La Hoya's promoter, was shrewd enough to include an immediate return bout clause in the contact. Such clauses have been illegal
for years, in order to stop the I-win-one, you-win-one, and we-both-get-three-big-paydays-out of-the-paying-public's-blood type scam. But Bullspit Bob never considered that millionaire De la Hoya might call it quits to save his handsome face for the silver screen, or for the covers of his future recording albums.

    At the post-fight press conference De La Hoya said, ``I am going to rethink my whole game plan in life. I am thinking about my whole career, my health and my life. There is life after boxing. Boxers stay in boxing for too long."

    The last sound you just heard was Bullspit Bob Arum swallowing his unscrupulous, bribe-paying, rat-fink Adam's Apple.

    Mangiare Judas.

News Item: Dr. Ferdie Pacheco calls it quits on Showtime.

    Fraudulent Ferdie Pacheco, who has been shilling for Don King and Showtime for years, has decided to retire from boxing commentary in order to pursue a career in painting. Why do I think this means painting counterfeit hundred dollar bills?

    Ferdie, I say this with all sincerity, "Don't let the door it your reprobate butt on the way out. And please, take Don King with you."
   

(Note From The Bucket: This is Bruno's point of view & NOT the CBZ's position on the good doctor.

   Ferdie was the first major boxing figure to step up to the plate & actually write for the CBZ - he also gave me access to a lot of people. I can only go by my own personal relationship w/Ferdie - & as far as I'm concerned, he's a helluva stand up guy.)