Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971), often known by his nickname "Sugar" Shane Mosley, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2016. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF lightweight title; the WBA (Super) and WBC welterweight titles; and the WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring magazine light middleweight titles. He was also a lineal champion at welterweight (twice) and light middleweight.
In 1998, the Boxing Writers Association of America named Mosley as their Fighter of the Year. He was also given the same honor by the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2000 and 2001, he was named the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring.
Mosley was born in Lynwood, California, and raised in Pomona, California. He has two older sisters, Venus and Cerena. Mosley became interested in boxing after watching his father, Jack, box in street fights. Mosley has been trained and managed by his father since the age of eight.
Mosley was an amateur standout, capturing various amateur titles, including:
1989 United States Amateur Champion at Lightweight 132 lb (60 kg)
1989 World Junior Championships Silver Medalist in San Juan, Puerto Rico 132 lb (60 kg)
1990 United States Amateur Champion at Lightweight 132 lb (60 kg)
1990 Goodwill Games Bronze Medalist in Seattle (USA) 132 lb (60 kg)
1992 United States Amateur Champion at Light Welterweight 139 lb (63 kg)
As an amateur, Mosley completed a record of 250–16.
On February 11, 1993, a 21-year-old Mosley made his professional boxing debut in a scheduled six-round fight at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California. His opponent was Greg Puente, who he knocked out in round five. Mosley fought a further 6 times in 1993, winning all of them inside the distance. In 1994, Mosley fought 9 times, winning all of them and 8 inside the distance. He was taken the 10 round distance by Oscar Lopez. In April 1995, Mosley knocked out Raul Hernandez in round 2 at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, California. In July, he knocked out 34-year-old veteran Mauricio Aceves in round 4 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. Aceves was best known for being the first-ever WBO World lightweight champion.
In January 1996, Mosley had his first fight outside of California since beginning his pro career. He fought at the Grand Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, knocking out 35-year-old Mike Bryan in round one. By May 1997, Mosley went 23 fights unbeaten, with 22 coming inside the distance.
On August 2, 1997, Mosley fought for his first world title, the IBF Lightweight championship against then undefeated titleholder Philip Holiday (31-0, 16 KOs). Holiday was making his seventh defence of the title since winning the then vacant title in 1995. It took place at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, and was the first time Mosley was scheduled to box 12 rounds. The fight went the full 12 round distance as Mosley took Holiday's IBF title via a unanimous decision. The three judges scored the fight 116-113, 117-111, 115-114 all in favor of Mosley.
Mosley made his first title defense on November 25 at the County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas, against Mexican Manuel Gomez (17-8, 14 KOs). Mosley knocked Gomez out in round 11 to retain his title.
On February 6, 1998, Mosley defeated 24-year-old Demetrio Ceballos (20-1, 13 KOs) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville. Ceballos was down once in round 4 after an overhand right and left hook to the body. He was down again in round 8 following a flurry of punches before referee Eddie Cotton called an end to the fight. At the time of stoppage, Mosley was ahead on all cards (70-61, 70-62, 70-62).
In May 1998, Mosley knocked out former world super featherweight champion and world lightweight challenger John John Molina (45-4, 30 KOs) in round 8 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Molina was also dropped to his knees in round 7.
On June 27, 1998, Mosely knocked out Colombian boxer Wilfrido Ruiz (25-3, 19 KOs) in round 5. He then fought at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City on September 22, 1998, against Eduardo Bartolome Morales (26-0, 21 KOs). Morales was knocked down in the 3rd round, and eventually stopped in round 5.
On November 14, 1998, Mosley faced his toughest defense to date when he fought 32-year-old former WBC super featherweight champion Jesse James Leija (37-3-2, 15 KOs) at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. This was Mosley's sixth defense of his IBF world title. As the fight progressed, Leija was knocked down in rounds 6, 7 and 9. The fight was stopped when Leija couldn't answer the bell for round 10, rewarding Mosley with a deserved victory. Mosley was leading by scores of 89-78, 89-78 and 88-79 at the time of the stoppage. Leija took the fight with 3 weeks notice.