LAS VEGAS, March 14 (UPI) -- Underdog Ronald "Winky" Wright won the junior middleweight championship with a unanimous 12-round decision over Shane Mosley Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Wright used combinations and a stiff jab to easly outpoint Mosley. Judges Chuck Giampa and Dave Moretti scored the bout 117-111 and Paul Smith had it 116-112.
On the undercard, heavyweight prospect Joe Mesi barely won a unanimous decision over former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov. Mesi was knocked down three times.
Mosley had beaten Oscar De la Hoya twice and his only losses had been to Vernon Forrest, at a lighter weight. He rallied in the final round against Wright but was too far behind on points by then.
"I felt that Shane is a very good fighter and quick, so I tried to block him out with my jab," Wright said. "I felt I was a better overall fighter. I felt stronger."
Wright is now 47-3, Mosley 39-3.
"For some reason, I felt dehydrated," Mosley said. "It was like there was a monkey on my back. I don't know. I really wanted to show some skills, for some reason my muscles were fatigued. I don't know if I was nervous or fatigued, I just didn't have it. ... He wasn't overly strong, I think it was more my part."
