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 MaxBoxing's Media Poll: Shane Mosley vs. Winky Wright
By Steve Kim (March 11, 2004)
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It will be the first big fight of 2004 when Shane Mosley and Winky Wright unify the junior middleweight division this Saturday. Will it be 'Sugar' Shane's speed and quickness that rule the day or Winky's crafty southpaw stylings? Here's who the media is picking:
Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News - Mosley by decision
"But look for it to be close. Sugar Shane is still new to the junior middleweight division, and he's only fought two southpaws as a pro. Winky has been underrated for years and is solid. But when in doubt, err on the side of talent and Mosley appears to have a bit more of it."
Steve Farhood, Showtime - Wright by decision
"This is a career-defining fight for him, something he's been anticipating for a long time. I feel he's closer to his prime than Mosley, who didn't impress me against De La Hoya. Winky needs to box, box and box some more but if it becomes more physical, he's remain competitive. If he was strong enough to mix with Fernando Vargas, he should be strong enough to mix with a former lightweight."
Franklin McNeil, Newark Star-Ledger - Mosley by decision
"Mosley is the faster fighter. He must use his speed not so much to outpoint Wright but to control the tempo. Secondly, Mosley must move his head throughout--Wright loves to work off his jab. Most important, Mosley isn't looking past Wright. He seems to be completely focused on the fight at hand."
Carlos Arias, Orange County Register - Mosley by decision
"Sugar Shane Mosley has too much speed and big-fight experience."
Tim Struby, ESPN the Magazine - Mosley by decision
"Mosley has trouble dealing with Wright's long reach and slick style but he asserts himself, and with little fear of a knockout (Wright's lack of pop) Shane will be aggressive enough and outscore Wright in a close majority decision a la 115-113."
Tim Smith, New York Daily News - Mosley by decision
"Mosley can shift gears from boxing to brawling very easily and he'll do it to keep Wright off balance."
Bobby Cassidy, Newsday - Mosley by decision
Winky is quick, but this is one of the few times Winky will be facing someone who is quicker and more talented."
Ivan Goldman, The Ring and KO Magazine - Mosley by KO
"Good guy Winky finally gets his chance. But life is not a Cinderella story, and good guy Shane's devastating body attack can't be ignored. Mosley will take chances that will pay off, wearing down Wright and stopping him around round nine or ten."
Kevin Iole, Las Vegas Review Journal - Wright by decision
"Shane is quicker and may be stronger, but Wright knows how to box. This is the fight he's longed for and I expect him to be on top of his game. Good fight goes Winky's way, just barely."
Johnnie Whitehead, The Ring and KO Magazines - Mosley by decision
"If Shane could get a bogus decision over De La Hoya in Las Vegas, Wright will have to knock him out to get a draw."
John Whisler, San Antonio Express News - Wright by decision
"My head says Mosley, but my gut says Winky. Mosley seems to have trouble with fighters not named De La Hoya. Winky would seem to have motivation oh his side."
John Scheinman, Washington Post/ Ballroom Boxing - Mosley by decision
"Something in my gut tells me Winky Wright will forever be one step behind the elusive super-stardom. Something also tells me he's going to be able to control Mosley with his size and jab and wear him down. I'm leaning toward the first instinct, Mosley by decision."
Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News - Mosley by decision
"Because he's just a better boxer and Wright doesn't have the skills to beat him."
Johnny Wilds, Ringsports.com the Magazine - Mosley by decision
"Winky is a very good fighter, but I think he has lived off the 'bad' decision versus Vargas and 'who won't fight me' card long enough. Shane will separate himself from Winky with lightening fast combos and to the surprise of most, outwork Winky form the opening bell."
Phil Woolever, Boxing Digest - Mosley by decision
"Wright plays the spoiler, but with Trinidad looming, Mosley has too much more to gain."
Bob Mladinich, Boxing Digest/ the FIST Magazine - Mosley by decision
"If there was ever a time for Wright to shine, this is it. By the same token, if ever was there a time for Mosley to falter, this is it. Mosley showed a lot of guts taking this fight. It is nearly impossible to beat Wright much less look good against him, but my guess is Mosley does both."
Nick Charles, Showtime - Mosley by decision
"Mosley overcomes the fact that Wright's the natural 154-pound fighter and exploits the fact that Winky is not what he was. Shane's speed will be affected at 154, but he'll slug out a decision."
Ramiro Gonzalez, La Opinion - Wright by decision
"I strongly believe that Wright is going win by decision for three reasons: he is taller, has a longer reach and he's southpaw, plus he is legitimate 154-pounder."
Joe Santoliquito, The Ring magazine - Mosley by decision
"Sugar Shane will try his best to make this exciting but it will turn out to be Mosley waltzing on the dance floor by himself. Wright will stay in his defensive shell and turn this fight into a borefest."
Eric Raskin, The Ring Magazine - Mosley by decision
"Wright's style is bound to give Sugar Shane difficulty, but after falling behind in a tactical battle, the quicker, better-conditioned Mosley will open up and rally in the late rounds to pull out a
close, perhaps controversial decision."
Anwar Richardson, The Tampa Tribune - Wright by decision
"I know what everyone is going to say 'hometown newspaper, hometown boy, hometown prediction'. True, Winky lives in this area, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I only have two words for you: Fernando Vargas. We all saw what happened in that fight. We all
know what can happen when Winky comes in prepared. How can you you blame a guy for not being pumped up for Bronco McKart or Angel Hernandez. Were you?"
Joe Tessitore, ESPN - Mosley by decision
"The efforts against JC Candelo and especially Angel Hernandez, tell me something. Winky won't do enough while trying to 'ugly' the action Shane will be trying to produce."
Royce Feour, Las Vegas Review Journal - Mosley by decision
"Mosley is too fast and too talented and has beaten better fighters than Wright."
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