Boxing / Alex Steedman / 19 January 2009 / Leave a comment

Let Alex Steedman guide you through the betting for January 24's WBA Welterweight battle.

The boffins at Marvel comics must look at reigning WBA Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito with suspecting eyes. Can this apparent Superhero be for real?

The Tijuana Tornado was typically relentless when devouring burgeoning star Miguel Cotto in 11 thrilling rounds last July. There is no paradox about Margarito; he can be both immovable object and irresistible force when in the ring.

Twice, thunderous puncher Kermit Cintron saw his bombshells bounce off the Margarito force fields before succumbing to the onslaught. Like Cotto, Cintron enjoyed notable early success in his fights but in the face of merciless pressure, was forced to bow before the inevitable.

But the record book underlines that Shane Mosley bows to no man. Yes, he has seen opponents' arms raised in victory on five occasions (like Margarito) but the American has never been stopped. And as a recent points loss to Cotto suggests, there isn't a great deal between he and Margarito on form. Indeed, with double wins over Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas on his ledger, you could suggest Sugar Shane has the deeper pedigree.

But has he the style to beat Margarito? Mosley is essentially a 'box' fighter - he is almost always in range and hittable - relying on a combination of hand speed, defence and reflexes to prevail. Those are not easy skills to employ in the face of relentless, aggressive pressure and particularly at the regressive age of 37.

There were signs of wear when a panting, struggling Mosley produced a last second KO of Ricardo Mayorga in November, giving every indication that retirement beckons. And Boxing is no country for old men.

Lanky, freak of nature Paul Williams showed that to beat Margarito, it is necessary to mix it up inside while unbalancing the come forward Mexican with a combination of punches, movement and angles. I don't honestly think the current version of Shane Mosley has the tools to do that.

Ten of the last 12 fights involving Margarito have not gone the distance but that is a slightly misleading stat for those looking to back the stoppage win. Like Ricky Hatton, Margarito tends to wear down opponents and aggression is so often rewarded by American judges.

Their intervention is likely to be called upon but don't rule out Shane Mosley following his old foe De La Hoya into retirement on the back of an ageing defeat.

Verdict: Margarito win
Method: Points (save on KO R9/10/11)
Total Rounds: 7-12