Mosley Puts $10 Million Payday at Risk

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Even before he had $10 million riding on the outcome, Shane Mosley was taking a big risk trying to unify the 154-pound title against Winky Wright. <br><br>Coming off his win over Oscar

Friday, March 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Even before he had $10 million riding on the outcome, Shane Mosley was taking a big risk trying to unify the 154-pound title against Winky Wright.

Coming off his win over Oscar De La Hoya, Mosley would not have been faulted for seeking an easy fight. Instead, he's facing a taller southpaw with plenty of boxing skills _ and a burning desire to prove himself against the fighter who beat the Golden Boy.

``I wanted to make history,'' Mosley said. ``History is winning the three belts, and that's what I want to do _ win them all and then go on to the next challenge.''

Mosley, who after signing to meet Wright secured a $10 million fight in November against Felix Trinidad if he wins, puts his WBC and WBA titles on the line Saturday night against IBF champion Wright in a fight that seemingly has everything a boxing fan would want to see.

There are not only three titles, but two fighters eager to prove something about themselves to those who still don't believe.

For Mosley, that means a big performance to show his second win over De La Hoya in September was no fluke. For Wright, it means a career-defining fight for a fighter who no one seems to want to fight.

``It's what I've been training for my whole career,'' Wright said. ``I knew I would get another chance. They could cheat me, try not to put me on TV and do everything they could do, but I'm here. You can't keep a good man down.''

The scheduled 12-round fight at Mandalay Bay hotel-casino follows a heavyweight fight between unbeaten prospect Joe Mesi and former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov. The card will be televised on HBO beginning at 9:30 p.m. EST.

Mosley (39-2, 35 knockouts) is a 3-1 favorite to become the first fighter to unify all three of the major 154-pound titles. If he wins, Trinidad is coming out of retirement to face him in November in a big money fight that is merely awaiting the signatures of the two fighters.

Wright (46-3, 25 knockouts) could spoil those plans if he can find a way to negate Mosley's speed and keep him on the outside. Though he holds the IBF title, Wright has toiled in near obscurity after losing a disputed decision to Fernando Vargas in 1999.

``The title they stole from me in the Vargas fight I came back to win,'' Wright said. ``I want to show the fans skills. I want to show them I've got everything, boxing skills, jab, movement, ring generalship.''

Wright, who like Mosley is 32, is a rare fighter in that he has fought his whole 14-year pro career at 154 pounds. That's unlike Mosley, who started out as a lightweight and has gone only 15 rounds at his current weight.

Wright is actually a right-hander in everything but boxing, meaning he has extra power on his right jab when fighting from the southpaw stance.

It's that combination that has kept the big name fighters away from him, until Mosley's promoter offered him $750,000 and a big chance to fight Mosley.

``I'm a craftsman, not just a big puncher,'' Wright said. ``A lot of fighters don't understand that.''

Mosley understands the skills Wright has, and is not underestimating him.

``For me to get to Trinidad I have to beat Winky, so I've had my mind very focused on Winky Wright,'' Mosley said. ``I feel so good, so fast, so strong. It's unbelievable.''

The undercard fight is the biggest test yet _ and the first Las Vegas fight _ for Mesi, who has been carefully groomed while fighting mainly out of his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y.

Mesi (28-0, 25 knockouts) was not impressive in his last fight at Madison Square Garden, where he was dropped in the seventh round by Monte Barrett before holding on for a majority decision.

``I don't have anything to prove to anybody but myself,'' Mesi said. ``I was on a good streak for a while and had a poor performance in December. I'm much more prepared for this fight. I've accepted criticism well.''

Jirov (33-1, 29 knockouts) will be fighting for the first time as a heavyweight after losing his cruiserweight title last April to James Toney.