From sparring sessions and amateur bouts as kids to a multi-million dollar superfight between pound for pound warriors.

Oscar De La Hoya and Sugar Shane Mosley were part of a very special generation of Los Angeles talent that rose to the top of professional boxing. When they finally faced off at the Staples Center on June 17, 2000, De La Hoya was the biggest star in the sport and Mosley was an unbeaten former lightweight champion with the fastest hands in boxing.

Despite a controversial points loss to Felix Trinidad nine months earlier, De La Hoya entered the bout as favorite. The odds reflected The Golden Boy’s superior pro experience and natural size, but the latter was exaggerated. Mosley had competed at 139 pounds as an amateur and killed himself to make 135. In fact, the Pomona native drained himself so much during his title reign that he skipped junior welterweight completely.

After being outboxed in an intense opening round, De La Hoya found his groove. He backed Mosley up, cut off the ring, and landed the more effective punches over the first half.

Sensing his predicament, Sugar Shane switched up the tactics and began using his quick bursts and footspeed to outmaneuver De La Hoya. He also switched southpaw in the eighth and enjoyed real success.

De La Hoya was always in the fight, but the feeling was that Mosley had his nose in front entering the 12^th. The pair saved the best for last, unloading all of their artillery in a sensational closing round. The exchanges were elite-level but Mosley landed the memorable blows including two blockbuster rights.

A modern-day classic complete, the pair embraced at center ring. When the decision was announced, it was a split decision triumph for Mosley. Both fighters were awarded a 115-113 card, but the deciding numbers favored Sugar Shane by a margin of 116-112.

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY: GREATEST HITS

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE RING FOR FREE VIA THE NEW APP NOW. SUBSCRIBE NOW TO ACCESS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF BACK ISSUES.