Eastside’s Sunday Night Knockout Mail Bag

By Mike Samuels

07.07 - Since arriving to the scene of Eastside Boxing a lot of controversy has surrounded me and my early comments of the Sugar man, Shane Mosley. Some people took my basis of an overall view on the career of Mosley and used their own sick and twisted interpretation that I have no respect for Shane-O or his accomplishments inside the ring. As well as the class he brings each and every time he is the attention of the media.

I can say that I have been somewhat pleased with the amount of responses I’ve gotten thus far. I’m really hoping to get this mailbag feature rockin’ and rollin’. And in no time I hope (As do the rest of the Eastside crew) that this is a success and something that brings people back to the Eastside swing of things.

Enough already. Let’s get to the good stuff!

THE SUGAR MAN IN SIX?

Forrest had experience with the head butt when he fought Frank Raul.  Mosley didn't and Forest took advantage of it.  Also you have to remember that Mosley didn't implore power boxing.  He went for the gusto and tried to knock him out in the 1st rd.  He didn't even try to break him down which is his game plan. 

- No name given

It’s interesting that you would take Mosley by a sixth round stoppage this time around. Honestly I think that Big Daddy Shane is going to take it to Vernon and get the nod. But I just don’t see Mosley knocking the Viper out. Styles make fights and with the way Forrest fights, always using his skills to better himself, I think it would be damn near in-FREAKIN-possible for Shane to knockout Mosley early, let alone later on in the fight.

Experience plays a huge role in this sport. So I can agree with your reasoning above. Mosley had never been cut before in his life and I don’t doubt that it had him worried. Forrest and Raul went to war and that is something that I’m sure The Viper learned from and used to his advantage in his big fight last January. But even with that reasoning, I cannot allow myself to sell Forrest short. I honestly believe that the head butt was a big factor, but who’s to say that if it hadn’t occurred, that Mosley would have been better defensively and not been caught with that monster right hand. Not to mention those badass uppercuts? I know that head butts and fouls and things of that nature can turn the tide in a fight. Perhaps it did last winter. But I’m still a firm believer that Forrest was just the better man that night. As for the rematch, well that’s anyone’s game.

ALAS, AN IDIOT BREAKS THROUGH THE CRACKS!

F_ken Homosexual b_tch....Do you want to suck Mosley’s c_ck or something? Please keep your homoerotic fantasies about Mosley to yourself....B_tch

- No Name Given (Thank God)

First let me take a moment out to laugh.

Okay, that’s better. You sir need to get into a boxing ring and get your sarcastic self slapped around for a good few rounds. Then maybe you’d have some respect for the sport of boxing. The homosexual card has been played out. I prefer knowledgeable and accurate e-mails, but I don’t want to keep anyone’s opinion shelled because I’m just a nice guy!

As far as me wanting Mosley in bed, well that only makes me laugh. I think you’ve probably just realized that you have homoerotic thoughts about boxers, and therefore you get a little stiffy now and then when you see Shane-O come out in his American flag trunks. Not me. I can tell you that much.

THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!

Just wanted to let you know--that was a great article.  I watched the entire Mosley-Forrest fight standing slack-jawed in my living room.  I admit to being a Sugar Shane believer.  But Vernon Forrest clearly whooped him that night, head butt or no, and all I could think was, "God, I love boxing!"
Like to know your thoughts on a McCline-Klitschko (Wlad) bout.

- Rando

Thanks for your respectable insight, Rando! I agree with you on the head butt issue and the fact that Shane Mosley just got his butt beat in their first battle. I have to give Mosley credit, though. He showed that he has the kind of heart that lives inside of a champion and knowing that, and his refusal to fail, I think he’ll be fine with the rest of his career. And that’s win, lose or draw next week.

McCline is a great athlete. He has more size than Lewis or Wlad. But size doesn’t make champions. He should be able to bully the hell out of Klitschko but I don’t see it happening. McCline needs to be in a few more fights like he was with Goofi Whitaker. In his last fight against a washed-up and lazy Briggs, McCline showed that he still has a lot of fear inside the ring. All it would take Klitschko is a few rounds to pound away at him while he’s backing up, scared out of his mind, and I would predict a dominating knockout for the Ukrainian Giant.

Bottom line is: McCline and Klitschko both have a lot of learning to do period.

130lbs, HERE I COME!

Mike, Babeh!
I was referred to your site by a friend Dennis Principe. I like your style, baby.
Now, how about your opinion on the comeback of Luisito Espinosa who recently KO2'd Ever Beleno last May 23rd? We're cruising in the 130 lb. division and I feel that Luisito can be extremely competitive. Acelino Freitas, Joel Casamayor, Stevie Forbes...here we come.

- Emmanuel.

Thanks for the praise! I love the lower weights and I’m a huge Floyd Mayweather fan (As I grew up ten minutes from his home). I love Espinosa and I think he is great for the sport and no matter what weight class he moves to in the future, you can expect to see great things from him. I really wasn’t impressed with Casamayor’s last fight and I think the loss that was put on him by "Po-Po" might still have a mental effect on him. I hope that he can recover fully and perhaps we might see Espinosa trading leather with some of the bigger boys! That’d be great.

MY BUDDY IS BACK!

You know the thing I don't respect about your opinions Samuels is that they are pure stupidity. And you didn't say Mosley needs to beat Forrest to help cement his legacy as a great fighter. You said Mosley needs to win to not be considered an average Joe. I don't know if you were talking on behalf of the media or what but if you were you should specify that because anyone who calls Mosley average has no respect from me. He still has a great chance but I think if Mosley had cleaned out the lightweight, and Jr. Welter. Before moving up to welterweight he would have been side by side with Ray Leonard and he could have done it to. No doubt. Tszyu has nothing on Mosley. He has everything Leonard had great hand speed, great foot work, great chin, excellent endurance, gives 100% every time, and has more power than Leonard and great accuracy. I would bet my life that he will undoubtedly be in the Hall of Fame. Now if that's what you call an average Joe there's no respect here also Tommy Hearns lost twice to a much lesser fighter in Iran Barkley and would you dare call him an average Joe.

- Matt

Thanks for your views (As always), Matt! One thing you must realize is that I do not write to gain your respect, let alone that of anyone else. Respect is overrated enough as it is. So if you aren’t down with my idea, that’s cool, partna’. No need to hate! I made it very clear that when I spoke of the Sugar Man I was speaking as a community of boxing. I wasn’t given my PERSONAL thoughts on the career and legacy of Mosley. PERSONALLY I think he’s great. PERSONALLY I think he has a hell of a lot of talent and he knows how to use it. Two losses to Forrest will not ruin him, but it will take A LOT to get back to where he wants to be if something like that happens. PERSONALLY I see Mosley winning the rematch.

Now where’s the stupidity in that explination? You see it doesn’t take too much to ask me for a better understanding of my work. To be honest, the only STUPID thing I’ve heard all day is your little therapeutic ranting and raving session you’ve had with me since the beginning. Relax homie. Don’t get mad at the computer! This is all fun and games! This mailbag is a way for people to express their views. Whether or not you agree or disagree with me is fine. (I mean if I was always right, what would be the point?!) But come on, bud. Slow down and take some time to chill your nerves. It’ll be okay. I promise.

As far as The Australian Assassin, my good ole’ buddy Kostya Tsyzu not having "nothing" on Shane Mosley. HA! What are you smoking, Mathew?! You best PASS that sh_t!! I’m not going to sit and say that Kostya would destroy Shane, because I will never count the Sugar man out. He’s proven himself worthy time and time again. But whoa there, to completely discredit Kostya and pretty much say he’s a FLUKE (Although not literally, so don’t attack me! I’ve explained myself!), well that’s insane! Mosley is great. Tsyzu is great. But don’t get ahead of yourself on that bold prediction.