Build-ups often exaggerated but Mayorga’s gone overboard ahead of Mosley clash

Writers have a tendency to overreact when a build up turns ‘ugly’ leading to the story becoming embellished.

I remember reading a piece about the Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko press conference that attacked Fury for supposedly bringing the sport into disrepute. It was a wild misjudgement.

Muhammad Ali, after all, was a master at degrading his opponents and Roberto Duran is deservedly treated as one of boxing’s greats, regardless of his questionable behaviour before fights.

Human beings are obsessed with conflict. But Ricardo Mayorga slapping Shane Mosley’s girlfriends behind was at best negligent ahead of Saturday’s contest.

A boxer attempting to get inside an opponent’s psyche is captivating but by putting your hands on a fighters partner takes things too far.

Now the grudge rematch is even more intense, unnecessarily so,  considering that the atmosphere was already heated. Mosley previously discarded a cigarette from Mayorga’s mouth which was entertaining and nothing serious came of it.

I don’t want to completely condemn Mayorga because it happened rapidly and something I’m sure he didn’t plan for. More shocking actions are happening in the world so to denounce Mayorga and wish for his downfall would be excessive.

It was a reckless mistake and one Mayorga should never have committed. Journalists and fans have a right now to criticise Mayorga’s conduct with no exaggeration required.

Trash talking is a part of boxing and we revel in seeing it. But this sort of act is something that could have ended with charges being pressed.

The pair previously fought in 2008 with Mosley knocking out Mayorga in round 12.

You can watch the event in the early hours of Saturday morning live on boxnation from 2am.