Wont be a popular pick, but I think "Magic Marlon" wins this fight... His defense would frustrate Mosley and his countering ability would negate a lot of Mosley's speed advantages... Starling was very difficult to hit well, you needed true patience and world class BOXING skills to do it (see Donald Curry) and Mosley doesnt have that... he has speed and aggressiveness and he is tough but he wont have a willing target like Margarito or DLH (especially in their first fight) in front of him, he will have a clever, patient counterpuncher in front of him If someone wants to say that Mosley migth be able to win a close one by working hard, thats cool... but I hope no fools come in here and say Mosley is going to outbox this man STARLING by close decision
If Starling was at the top of his game, it'd be a VERY tough fight for Shane. But still, I can see Shane winning a very close one, simply by WANTING it more down the stretch.
but at the same time, Starling's style would render the accuracy of those punches a moot concern Mosley would be hitting elbows and gloves with his flurries
He'd be throwing more though, and dont forget about Shane's body punching, which would free up Starling's head a bit. Plus if we're talking about a prime Mosley, Starling would find him a harder target to find than the brainless Lloyd Honeyghan.
I dont know that he would... Shane's defense is basically his offense, outside of that he basically either holds or jumps backwards... I think Starling could score big with counter hooks BTW, I love that Honeyghan beating, its one of my all time favorites. honeyghan looked like he was ready to blow him by the 7th round if it meant Marlon would stop beating his ass::
Not even Oscar could easily nail a prime Shane with hooks. And Oscar had a considerably better, and quicker hook than Starling. Shane was overall fast enough in his prime that he wouldnt be an easy target for Starling. Plus Marlon lacked the height, and range of Forrest that gave Shane so many problems. He also lacks the physical strength, and size that Wright had. And yeah, I love watching Starling-Honeyghan too. Marlon beat the shit outta that big mouth limey!
But X, part of Hoya's problem is that he wasnt COUNTERING with those hooks, he was throwing them as a way to try and go toe-to-toe... and while DLHs hands were faster and he hit a little bit harder, his defense was lesser than that of Starling and he wasnt as smart... he didnt create openings to hit Mosley, he just tried to outgun him... Starling would make Mosley miss and he would counter him, something Hoya never really tried to do. and yes, watching loudmouth Honeyghan get battered is one of the more wonderful moments in boxing history
I think someone like starling, a natural WW with good boxing skills and elite defense could beat mosley with not much problems. If cotto was able to outbox him, starling would do the same.
Starling would make it closer then it should be with his showboating and penchant to take rounds off every once in awhile. Kind of reminds me of a smaller Winky Wright with a bit more pop. I don't think Marlon would be as cautious with Shane as he was with a prime Curry. If a focused Starling came in he should win. If he throws in a few too many Starling Stomps it could be enough to convince the judges to give it to Shane. It's definitely going the distance.
