By Luis Sandoval

"Sugar" Shane Mosley was finally able to add a fight to his win column after four years as he defeated tough Pablo Cesar Cano in Cancun, Mexico with scores of 115-113 across the board. Many felt the future hall of fame fighter should’ve hanged up his gloves already but Mosley showed there is still something left in the tank as he defeated a fighter 18 years his junior.

While many go to Cancun to enjoy a vacation and relax, Mosley came to this popular Mexican destination to try to salvage his career. Things didn’t get off to a great start for the 41 year old veteran as Cano put on a very methodical attack as he worked both the body and the head of Mosley. The young Mexican contender used his combinations as Mosley just wasn’t busy enough; a trend he has shown far too many times in previous fights.

After scores were announced in the 4th round due to open scoring with all three judges having Cano ahead, Mosley finally began to work himself into the fight. In the 5th round, Mosley’s jab finally surfaced as he used it to control Cano and made sure to greet him with it whenever Cano tried to get inside. Mosley continued to pepper Cano with his snapping jab and started to follow it up with his signature right hand towards the end of the round.

The 6th round would be one of the more exciting and better rounds for Mosley as he began to let his hands go and finding a home for them on Cano’s face and body. For the first time in the fight, Mosley began putting a great amount of pressure on Cano who didn’t react well to it. Mosley landed a big right hand that momentarily stunned Cano who tried to hold on to buy some time. The onslaught would continue as Mosley poured on his attack with Cano doing his best to weather the storm.

It would be all Mosley from here on in as the pressure never let up and Cano was forced to fight the rest of the bout on his back foot. Unlike previous fights where Shane appeared reluctant to pull the trigger, in this fight he was trigger happy as he unleashed his right hand and ripping left hooks to the body whenever he could.

Aside from Mosley being more offensive, the key to his success was his jab that seemed to really trouble Cano. Cano was as game as they come as he never stopped fighting back but he was clearly outgunned and fading down the stretch with Mosley never letting his foot off the gas.

In Round 9, both fighters did their best to take control and take it to their opponent. In another great round Mosley and Cano traded often with each having their moments. Cano managed to land a solid left hook that got Mosley’s attention and made him look to hold but Mosley would also land a big right of his own in retaliation towards the end of the round.

Even at 41 years old, Mosley still retains a lot of the things that made him great and his will and determination were very evident in this fight. Sensing his opponent was tiring, Mosley continued to walk him down and rip him with hard shots. Mosley finished strong going down the stretch and instead of letting his foot off the gas, he floored it and pressured his younger opponent and stayed on the attack.

After 12 rounds, everyone wondered if the judges in Mexico would favor the hometown fighter in Cano or be able to be fair and crown Mosley the winner. Mosley proved that even an all time great like himself has enough clout and respect to get a deserved decision in hostile territory as all 3 judges had him winning by 2 rounds.

This was Shane’s first fight back with his father Jack Mosley as both decided to reunite once again. We saw a better version of Mosley than in recent outings and whether its due to his father or the opponent he faced, he looked good tonight.

This is Mosley’s first win since his 2009 destruction of Antonio Margarito. Many had written off Mosley as he had been outclassed and dominated by recent competition. In hindsight, you have to acknowledge that the three fighters he lost two were all champions and in Mayweather and Pacquiao’s case, the two best fighters in the sport at that time.

It was great to see Mosley get a victory as he’s always been a fan favorite but even in this fight, you could tell Mosley just isn’t the same fighter. This would be a great swan song for Mosley to cap off a wonderful career but you get the sense that this will only fuel him to keep going. In the right fights Mosley can still be effective and successful and tonight was proof; tangling with the elite of the sport is another story and something we shouldn’t see again.

There are plenty of options for Mosley at 147 or even 154 pounds should he continue to fight. Let’s just hope he can fare as good as he did tonight against them should he choose to continue his career.

As for Pablo Cesar Cano, the young Mexican contender suffers back to back losses though many feel he defeated Paulie Malignaggi in his previous fight. Cano has always given great accounts of himself even in defeat as you can’t forget his war and valiant effort against Erik Morales after being a late replacement. He’s young and still learning and tonight was he was in with a far more experienced and better fighter in Shane Mosley.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to BoxingScene Radio, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.