Norwalk, CT (BoxingGurus.com) "Sugar" Shane Mosley improved his record to 37-0 with 34 knockouts with a successful title defense of his WBC Welterweight crown last Saturday night against a rugged Shannon Taylor (28-1-1). In an electrifying display Mosley proved once again that he is among the best pound for pound fighters in the world.
The fight opened with a fair amount of action with Mosley scoring with jabs and counter shots to the body. After throwing a few flurries in the mid round the action cooled off until the final seconds of the round. With approximately ten seconds left Mosley connected with a vicious right that sent Taylor to the canvas. Later Taylor admitted that he heard the clap on the canvas, indicating that the round was coming to a close and loosened up his defenses. After getting up at the count of six a dazed Taylor proceeded to the wrong corner at the conclusion of the round.
As the second round opened Mosley again capitalized on his quickness and took complete control of the fight. He was landing jabs at will through the defenses of Taylor. In an effort to wear down the tough Taylor Mosley worked in a good amount of body shots. Over the next several rounds Mosley continued to wear down and punish his opponent.
Outmatched, Taylor resorted to holding Mosley in round four. After driving Mosley into the ropes on a number of occasions referee Vic Drakulich deducted a point from Taylor for the infraction. Despite the roughhouse tactics, Mosley stayed in his game plan and continued to attack Taylor with his blinding speed and body combinations.
At the conclusion of the 5th round Mosley connected with a big left hook to the body that stunned Taylor and then scored with a left hook to the head as time expired. A visibly hurt Taylor returned to his corner where his trainers decided to end the fight.
In the post fight interview Mosley mentioned possibility of fighting Felix Trinidad at 154 pounds (though this seems unlikely as Trinidad is currently looking to move up to 160 pounds) or unifying the Welterweight division beginning with a match against Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis.
Mosley earned $1.75 million, while Taylor was paid $300,000.
On the Undercard:
Lance Whitaker (23-1) scored a second-round knockout of Oleg Maskaev (20-4). Whitaker landed a vicious right hand early in the 2nd round that staggered Maskaev. Seconds later Whitaker dropped a hurt Maskaev with a flurry of punches to the head. Maskaev was then counted out by referee Jay Nady at 1:03 of the second round. This was the second consecutive loss for Oleg Maskaev who was knocked out in the 4th round in his October 7th meeting with Kirk Johnson.
