"Sugar" Shane Mosley - Unfinished Business

"Sugar" Shane Mosley has done it all in his storied boxing career. He put together one of the all-time great amateur boxing records, was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, turned pro and has been a world champion at three different weight classes – lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight – and sits today with a record of 42-4 and the reputation as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of his generation.

Shane has fought the best and beat the best and after his last bout, a 10th round TKO over Fernando Vargas, it’s clear that the 34-year-old Mosley is still on top of his game. We caught up with him while he was in New York City for the photo shoot for this issue to talk about his legacy, his pursuit of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and what’s waiting for him after boxing.

Everlast: In your last fight, you took out Fernando Vargas in a big pay-per-view fight and you looked like you were on top of your game. How are you feeling now?
Shane Mosley: Right now, I’m relaxed. I’m calm. I’m just really interested in my next fight. It’s supposed to be with Vargas again on July 15.

Everlast: Aside from the fact that it will be a big money fight, why give him a rematch so quickly?
Mosley: I felt the last one was a good fight. I think he believes, "If I wasn’t swelled up, I could have done better against Mosley." I obviously think differently. Each of my second fights with guys after I lost the first time I did better. Maybe that’s what he’s thinking going in.

Everlast: One of the lasting memories of that last fight was how badly Vargas’ eye swelled up during the bout. Was his eye something you targeted after you saw the swelling start?
Mosley: Yeah, his eye really swelled up. I didn’t make a point to go out of my way to target it because I didn’t want to get away from my plan. It was caused by my overhand right anyway, so it was in the way no matter what.

Everlast: How would you describe your boxing style?
Mosley: I would describe myself as a complete fighter. I can punch, I can move side to side, I can really do everything. I think it’s good to be considered real versatile like that and I think that’s why I will go down as one of the best fighters of my generation.

Everlast: Your reputation is that of a more technical fighter, but that bout with Vargas was more of a brawling fight.
Mosley: I definitely like the slugfests. I’m not gonna lie, they’re fun. Maybe that’s just the macho in me talking. But I really think that I’m at my very best when I’m up on my toes and using my speed and smarts on the other guy.

Everlast: You’re a three-time world champion and like you said earlier, you will be remembered as one of the best fighters of your generation. But it doesn’t feel like you get as much shine as a lot of other fighters. Do you feel like you’re underappreciated?
Mosley: I do feel like I’m underrated and underappreciated. And that’s why I continue to prove how good I am over and over again. Where I am right now in my career though, it’s more important for me to give the fans the best I can in the ring. They’re the ones who pay their hard-earned money to see me, so I owe it to them. I want to please them. Early on in my career, I fought more for my legacy and for me. But after all the titles and all the big fights, it starts to level off. And now that I’m older it’s not so much about me anymore as it is for the fans.

Everlast: You’re always in top shape for all of your fights. Can you walk us through your regimen in the months leading up to a fight?
Mosley: Well, two or three months out from a fight, I’m in more of a building stage. That’s where I’m trying to add strength. One month out I switch it to more aerobic work and really hitting. About two weeks out I’m just really letting my body heal, I’m sparring fewer rounds, just letting everything get back to top form so that there’s nothing lingering when I step into the ring.

Everlast: Everyone we’ve talked to about you always says you’re a nice guy. In the ring? Not so much. When do you flip the switch?
Mosley: Most guys change because they can’t eat and they get cranky. Me, I like to do my changing right before getting into the ring to this person that’s gonna tear into the other guy.

Everlast: You had one of the greatest amateur careers in the history of boxing with more than 250 victories. You’ve been a world champ at three different weight classes and you’ve fought everyone who’s come your way. What’s your proudest moment in boxing?
Mosley: My proudest moment in my career was probably when I won my first world title because it was something I had been dreaming about and working for since I was a little kid. My most exciting moment though was beating [Oscar] De la Hoya in our first fight. That night changed my career, my life. My life changed financially because suddenly they were all big fights and I was now recognized around the world. I beat Oscar on the world’s biggest stage.

Everlast: You and Oscar have been good friends since you were young kids. How was it having to fight him with a lot of money at stake? Did it strain your relationship at all at the time? Was it hard to put your emotions aside?
Mosley: I’m good friends with De la Hoya but we’re still very competitive as well. We have similar styles. We’re the same speed in the ring, but what I think gave me an edge was my bounce and my movement. It’s all about keeping yourself in check in the ring. It’s never about fighting angry. You need to be able to turn off your anger, focus on your game plan. You can’t be throwing wild punches – that’s a great way to get caught. In the ring I’ve found myself getting angry, but I’ve always stayed in control. Good fighters are always able to turn off the anger or manage it so that they can stick to their game plan. A lot of fighters are kind-hearted guys. They realize you don’t have to be angry for a good fight. Critics perceive fighters as angry, stupid guys who blow all their money and it’s not that way at all.

Everlast: Your next fight may be with Vargas, but it’s Floyd Mayweather you really want, right?
Mosley: Mayweather’s considered the best. That’s why I want to fight him. I always want to fight the best. What kind of fighter would I be if I didn’t? Right now though, we’re nowhere close to making it happen. We’re far away. So right now I’m really only thinking about Vargas. Down the road, when it’s time to think about Mayweather, that’s when I’ll think about him. I want him though. Badly.

Everlast: How did you first get into boxing?
Mosley: When I first got into boxing, it was the result of my mother trying to get me to burn some energy. She asked my dad to take me to the gym where he was working out and I just took to it. I was nine years old when I won my first amateur fight. Then I won a lot of fights and I was beating a lot of guys who were older than me. I knew pretty quickly that I wanted to be a world champion and I went out and did it.

Everlast: Where did the nickname "Sugar" come from?
Mosley: "Sugar" came from the guys at the gym. When I was 10 or 11 people started to realize that I was real good. I was beating a lot of veterans and the older guys started calling me "Little Sugar." I liked it and "Sugar" just stuck.

Everlast: Aside from boxing, we hear that you’re an avid snowboarder.
Mosley: Yeah, I love snowboarding. I started about seven or eight years ago and just loved it from the start. Being out in Big Bear, there’s not much to do so one day I figured I’d try it, and now I’m pretty good. I can go down a hill without falling.

Everlast: Do you ever worry about hurting yourself snowboarding?
Mosley: I don’t ever think about getting hurt. Not on the mountain and not in the ring.

Everlast: How many more fights will there be for you and what’s the plan after boxing?
Mosley: I’m not sure how many more times I’ll fight. No matter what though, I want to stay in boxing. I’d like to try promoting or even maybe some training.

Words. Pat Cassidy, Photo. Al Bello, Getty Images For Everlast