Among the greatest rivalries of the 2000s, the one between “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya and “Sugar” Shane Mosley remains etched in the memory of boxing fans. This purely sporting rivalry between two men who respected each other and recognized the greatness in one another resulted in two exciting and technically rich fights, held three years apart. Today, on the anniversary of their controversial rematch, we revisit those two memorable nights of boxing!
Sugar Shane’s Masterclass
The first chapter of this story, which took place on June 17, 2000, was an event of enormous magnitude, earning the distinction of Event of the Year by The Ring magazine. Not only were two globally renowned fighters battling for the prestigious WBC welterweight world title, but it was also the first time boxing took center stage at the newly opened Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The odds favored DLH: while Mosley came into the bout undefeated and had dominated in the lightweight division, his move up to welterweight had raised some doubts. De La Hoya, on the other hand, had been fighting at 147 pounds for over three years, having faced several champions and only suffering a controversial decision loss to the formidable Felix Trinidad.
From the start, De La Hoya assumed the role of the aggressor, pushing forward and looking to trap Mosley against the ropes to unleash his fast combinations. However, Mosley, accustomed to dealing with pressure fighters, countered effectively with quick right hands, forcing Oscar to proceed cautiously. The early rounds were evenly matched, but as the fight progressed, Mosley began to craft his masterpiece.
While De La Hoya stuck to his tried-and-true game plan, Mosley showcased a variety of skills in the second half of the fight, switching stances, working the body, doubling and tripling up his jab, and surprising Oscar with sudden attacks. Every time De La Hoya thought he had Mosley figured out, “Sugar” would change tactics, keeping him off balance. In the end, Mosley earned a well-deserved victory.
The Controversial Decision and Doping Scandal: A Blow to DLH
Before De La Hoya got his chance at a rematch, three years filled with significant events had passed. Mosley had lost both his title and his unbeaten record, suffering two consecutive defeats to the powerful Vernon Forrest, nicknamed “The Viper.” Forrest had exposed a vulnerability in Mosley’s game: the normally formidable counterpuncher struggled when forced to take the initiative.
Meanwhile, De La Hoya, after demolishing the popular Arturo Gatti in a non-title bout, moved up to super welterweight and became the unified champion of the division. He captured the WBC title from Spain’s Castillejo and the WBA title from Mexican-American Fernando Vargas, whom he knocked out after a dramatic war. A further knockout win over veteran Campas set the stage for the highly anticipated rematch against Mosley.
This time, the tactical blueprint was entirely different from their first encounter. Remembering his previous loss and the lessons from Mosley’s bouts against Forrest, De La Hoya ceded control of the ring to his opponent and employed a counterpunching strategy. Behind a precise and persistent jab, De La Hoya patiently controlled Mosley’s movements, stepping back and countering whenever “Sugar” advanced.
The Mosley who had dazzled three years earlier with his endless repertoire now appeared weaponless. He waited for an opening that never came, and his punches wouldn’t come. The concern in Mosley’s corner grew with each round, but Shane couldn’t find the right key. Only in the final third of the fight, as De La Hoya began to tire, did Mosley experience any success, landing a few heavy shots.
It seemed too little, too late, yet incredibly, the judges awarded Mosley a unanimous decision! The 115-113 scorecards infuriated both De La Hoya and his promoter Bob Arum, and to add insult to injury, Mosley later admitted to using the banned substance EPO in preparation for the fight, though he claimed ignorance of its illegality.
Though the official record shows otherwise, based on what we’ve recounted, the thrilling double-header between Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley can be considered even.