Taras Shelestyuk says he has learned a lot from ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley

Taras Shelestyuk, left, and Jaime Herrera square off after Thursday’s weigh-in/Photo by Carlos Baeza, Thompson Boxing

 

“Sugar” Shane Mosley may be 45, but the future Hall of Famer showed in May he’s still a decent fighter when he went the distance with David Avanesyan before losing a unanimous decision. It’s therefore not surprising to hear Mosley has been sparring with welterweight contender Taras Shelestyuk ahead of Shelestyuk’s fight Friday night against Jaime Herrera at Omega Products International in Corona (on Showtime).

Mosley likes what he sees from Shelestyuk (14-0, 9 KOs), who recently moved to Los Angeles from his native Ukraine.

“He’s on that championship path, that level,” Mosley said.

Shelestyuk, who won a bronze medal for Ukraine in the 2012 London Games, is soaking up all Mosley has to offer.

“Sparring with Shane Mosley has been huge for me,” Shelestyuk said. “He’s such a great fighter. When I was younger, I’d watch his fights. Now we spar. He’s older but still very good. He knows all the tricks and gives me a lot of advice that helps me in and out of the ring. Everything he’s said to me, I’ve tried to apply.”

Herrera, of Franklin Park, Ill., is 15-3-1 with eight knockouts.

 

Twitter Facebook Pinterest Reddit Tumblr Email Snailmail

After a great ride, it’s time for ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley to hang up gloves

David Avanesyan vs. Shane Mosley: Winner, Scorecard and Reaction

“Sugar” Shane Mosley and David Avanesyan face off ahead of their fight Saturday, won by Avanesyan via unanimous decision/AP photo by Ross D. Franklin

 

When you consider “Sugar” Shane Mosley is 44, he looked good Saturday during his 12-round unaimous-decision loss to David Avanesyan of Russia at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The very idea that a man Mosley’s age could give a respectable account of himself against a fighter 17 years his junior, was impressive.

But in talking to Mosley a couple of days before the fight, he wasn’t still fighting so he could have people say he looked good for an old man. He said he was still active because of his love for the sport and because he thought he was still good enough to win at the top level.

Well, even though Avanesyan came in with an interim welterweight title, he did not come into the fight with an impressive list of opponents and he had never fought in the U.S. As the interim champion, he is in line to face the June 25 winner of the fight between full champion Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter. Avanesyan would seem to have little change against either man.

The point is, if Mosley can’t beat Avanesyan, he should hang up his gloves once and for all. Mosley has had a great career. He will be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. It’s been a great ride.

 

Twitter Facebook Pinterest Reddit Tumblr Email Snailmail