Tuesday, November 13, 2007 Quijano: Sugar Shamed, Mostly By Jingo Quijano Last Round
THERE’S a certain kind of look that Miguel Cotto’s opponents get when they realize they’re in for a long night. It’s somewhat of a hybrid expression bordering between resignation and despair.
I saw it in Zab Judah’s face after he realized Cotto was having him for lunch. I saw that very same look from Shane Mosley in the middle rounds and I knew he was doomed.
Before the fight, Mosley told everybody and anybody who cared to listen that he was a big welterweight and that he would be too strong for Cotto. Although his opinion would later be partially validated by Cotto who admitted that he was indeed hurt by Shane’s powerful blows, Mosley’s ill-advised feral approach was the very reason why he lost the fight.
Early on, Mosley wanted Cotto to let him feel his power and started trading with him. It proved to be his undoing. Just as I expected, Mosley would indeed find a home for his right hands. But what do you do when you throw everything but the kitchen sink and your opponent just won’t go away?
You start getting that look.
Mosley’s overconfidence egged him to wing power shot after power shot sporadically, instead of unloading the sweet combinations he was known for. As a result, he got tired very early in the fight. Yep, getting old can indeed be a drag but there are ways to conserve your strength when you’re up against a younger, stronger opponent.
Throwing wild haymakers isn’t one of them. Engaging in unnecessary shoving and pushing isn’t going to cut it either. By the time he settled down and starting boxing in the middle rounds, he was already a spent force. And when Cotto slowed down a bit in the latter stages of the fight, Shane’s tank was already running on empty.
As early as three years ago, Shane Mosley would have easily won that fight. But since this is 2007, Sugar got shamed mostly, and just like that the Last Round is on three-fight losing skid.
THEY GOT IT. Among those who correctly predicted Miguel Cotto’s victory was Last Rounder Jeremy Elape, fight scholar Atty. Dominic Elnar and Nonito Donaire Sr, whom world champ Nonito Jr. fondly refers to as “this guy.”
VIVA PUERTO RICO. Despite being a country with less than four million constituents, Puerto Rico has a rich boxing tradition and Miguel Cotto is just the latest in a steady stream of quality fighters this country has produced.
If we have Pancho Villa, Gabriel Elorde and Manny Pacquiao, Puerto Rico counters with legends such as Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, Carlos Ortiz and of course, Felix Trinidad.
Gomez is considered to be the greatest of them all. He compiled a terrific record of 44 wins, winning 42 of them by knockout with only three defeats. At one time, he embarked on a 32-fight knockout streak! He beat the likes of Lupe Pintor, Carlos Zarate, and Juan Laporte.
Wilfred Benitez has a record of 53-8, with 31 knockouts. He was a champion in three weight categories and holds wins over Carlos Palomino, Antonio Cervantes and the legendary Roberto Duran.
Of course, we know who Felix Trinidad is. After retiring and un-retiring twice already, he is scheduled to fight Roy Jones Jr. in January of next year. However, at 35 years of age, it’s doubtful that Tito still can threaten Gomez’s stature as Puerto Rico’s greatest.
Cotto however is a still in a position to dispute such a claim, depending on how he fares in future bouts.
QUOTE OF THE DAY. “Maybe I should have boxed more, I noticed that when I boxed more I was getting a little bit the better of him,” —Sugar Shane Mosely after the unanimous decision loss to Miguel Cotto.
LAST ROUND. It’s on a good friend, the lovely Trina Zosa who turns a milestone today, and on Cowan Noel Phoenix, the pride and joy of proud parents, Attys. Noel and Cecilia “Jugce” Adlawan. Happy birthday and Cheers!
