Shane Andre Mosley (born September 7, 1971), is an
American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2016.
He is a four time world champion in three weight classes.
Early
career
On February 11, 1993 a 21 year old Mosley made his professional
boxing debut in a scheduled six round fight at the Hollywood Palladium
in Hollywood, California. His opponent was Greg Puente, who he knocked
out in round five. Mosley fought a further 6 times in 1993, winning
all them inside the distance. In 1994, Mosley fought 9 times, winning
all them and 8 inside the distance. He was taken the 10 round distance
by Oscar Lopez. In April 1995, Mosley knocked out Raul Hernandez in
round 2 at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, California.
In July he knocked out 34 year old veteran Mauricio Aceves in round
4 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. Aceves was best known
for being the first ever WBO World lightweight champion.
In
January 1996, Mosley had his first fight outside of California since
beginning his pro career. He fought at the Grand Casino in Biloxi,
Mississippi knocking out 35 year old Mike Bryan in round one. By May
1997, Mosley went 23 fights unbeaten, with 22 coming inside the distance.
Lightweight
Mosely vs Holiday
On August 2, 1997 Mosley fought
for his first world title, the IBF Lightweight championship against
then undefeated titleholder Philip Holiday (31-0, 16 KOs). Holiday
was making his seventh defence of the title since winning the then
vacant title in 1995. It took place at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville,
Connecticut and was the first time Mosley was scheduled to box 12
rounds. The fight went the full 12 round distance as Mosley took Holiday’s
IBF title via a unanimous decision. The three judges scored the fight
116-113, 117-111, 115-114 all in favor of Mosley.
Early title
defenses
Mosley made his first title defence on November 25 at the
County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas against Mexican Manuel Gomez (17-8,
14 KOs). Mosley knocked him out in round 11 to retain his title.
On
February 6, 1998 Mosley defeated 24 year old Demetrio Ceballos (20-1,
13 KOs) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville. Ceballos was down
once in round 4 after an overhand right and left hook to the body.
He was down again in round 8 following a flurry of punches before
referee Eddie Cotton called an end to the fight. At the time of stoppage,
Mosley was ahead on all cards (70-61, 70-62, 70-62).
In May
1998, Mosley knocked out former world super featherweight champion
and world lightweight challenger John John Molina (45-4, 30 KOs) in
round 8 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Molina
was also dropped to his knees in round 7.
On June 27, 1998 Mosely
knocked out Colombian boxer Wilfrido Ruiz (25-3, 19 KOs) in round
5. He then fought at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York
City on September 22, 1998 against Eduardo Bartolome Morales (26-0,
21 KOs). Morales was knocked down in the 3rd round, and eventually
stopped in round 5.