Shane Mosley has announced his intention to hang up his gloves after a successful 19-year career and numerous world titles. The 40 year-old, who last fought in May losing to Saul Alvarez, has decided to quit the sport following 56 professional contests.
Mosley turned pro in 1993 and won his first title belt four years later beating Philip Holiday over twelve rounds, before moving up the weights to claim the WBC 147lb belt with a surprising victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2000 at the Staples Center.
The Californian would eventually lose his title to the late Vernon Forrest, although a rematch against De Le Hoya in 2003 brought ‘Sugar’ his greatest night as he unified the light-middleweight division with a unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
Two defeats to the recently retired ‘Winky’ Wright saw Mosley once again without a title, but a 2009 underdog win over Antonio Margarito put him back on the boxing map and led him into high-profile contests with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Although he lost both contests, Mosley was regarded as a world-class yardstick, even in his late 30’s and his points loss to Saul Alvarez last month ensured that he would leave the sport having never been stopped in his career.
