In a highly anticipated return to the ring, seven-time world champion Sugar Shane Mosley stepped back into boxing on September 28th, 2024, in Chester, Pennsylvania. Mosley, 53 years old and retired since 2016, faced off against local boxing coach Bob Kofroth in a five-round exhibition match at Harrah’s Casino. This bout marked Mosley’s first fight in eight years, his last being a loss to David Avanesyan that led to his official retirement with an impressive record of 49 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw. Officiated by Damon Dash, business mogul and founder of America NU Network.
Kofroth, the owner and head coach at Elite Edge Boxing gyms in Downingtown and Malvern, Pennsylvania, seized the opportunity to test himself against one of boxing’s greatest. Initially, Kofroth was not slated to fight Mosley, but when another boxer withdrew due to injury, he was called in as a last-minute replacement by Damon Feldman, CEO of Official Celebrity Boxing, the company organizing the event. For Kofroth, this wasn’t just a chance to step into the ring with a legend; it was an opportunity to show the world what he could do and prove his abilities against a champion of Mosley’s caliber.
Mosley, now older and far removed from his prime, entered the fight with something to prove himself. Despite being out of the ring for several years, he still had the drive and the competitive spirit that made him a boxing icon. The fight itself was designed as an exhibition match, featuring five one-minute rounds, a format that allowed Mosley to ease back into the sport without the pressure of a full-length professional bout. Although not as physically dominant as he once was, Mosley displayed flashes of his old self, landing solid punches and controlling the pace of the fight, ultimately securing the win. The victory served as a testament to his enduring skill and experience, despite his age and time away from the ring.
While Mosley has no plans to return to the professional ranks, the win reignited discussions about a potential rematch with another boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao. Mosley and Pacquiao last met in 2011, with Pacquiao winning via unanimous decision. Both men are now in the twilight of their careers, with Pacquiao, at 45, recently participating in a three-round exhibition match against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo. In that fight, Pacquiao appeared out of form, struggling against Anpo’s speed and technique. Although talks of Pacquiao’s return to professional boxing have circulated, including rumored negotiations for a fight against WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios, nothing materialized, and Barrios is now scheduled to face Abel Ramos on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight in November.
Pacquiao’s future in the ring remains uncertain, but Mosley’s post-fight comments made one thing clear: he wants another shot at Pacquiao. In the aftermath of his win over Kofroth, Mosley expressed his desire to face the Filipino legend once again. “Pacquiao. I want to fight Pacquiao, man. I would fight Oscar [De La Hoya], but Oscar doesn’t want to fight. He’s been talking all this mess, but he doesn’t want to step in the ring. I don’t understand it. He should keep my name out of his mouth. He’s just jealous because I beat him twice. We might as well do it a third time if he keeps talking like that, but he doesn’t want that smoke. He really doesn’t,” Mosley said, referencing his two victories over De La Hoya in 2000 and 2003.
While a Mosley-Pacquiao rematch remains speculative, the potential for such a bout has excited fans, especially given Pacquiao’s interest in continuing his boxing career. However, Pacquiao’s manager, Sean Gibbons, pointed out that any fight involving Pacquiao hinges not on the fighters’ willingness but on the financial backing. Gibbons explained that although Pacquiao would gladly fight Amir Khan, another potential opponent, previous attempts to arrange the fight have fallen through due to financial issues. “It’s not Manny holding it up. If the money’s there, Manny would fight tomorrow, and I believe Amir would too. But the problem has always been securing the funds. If the right people can make it happen, Manny would be ready,” Gibbons said.
Beyond his aspirations for a fight with Pacquiao, Mosley also offered his perspective on the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, scheduled for November 15th at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Mosley, who has a close relationship with both fighters, served as Paul’s first boxing trainer and has known Tyson for many years. Reflecting on the matchup, Mosley warned that Paul might underestimate Tyson’s power, despite the boxing icon being 58 years old. “If Mike really hits Jake, Mike can really hurt him. I know what Mike can do, and I know what Jake can do, but I don’t think Jake understands just how hard Mike can hit,” Mosley said. “These are two-minute rounds, and all fighters have pride. Mike isn’t going in there to lose to Jake Paul.”
Mosley went on to explain that while Paul may have the advantage in youth and conditioning, Tyson’s experience and punching power make him a dangerous opponent, even at his age. “In the first five or six rounds, it’s going to be dangerous for Jake. Getting hit by Mike Tyson is no joke. Jake will have to tire Mike out if he wants to win, but he’s going to have to survive those early rounds,” Mosley added. He also pointed out that, despite Tyson’s age, his punches still carry the weight and precision of a former world champion. “People don’t realize just how dangerous a former world champion is, no matter how old they are. Tyson’s been throwing punches his whole life, and those punches can still do serious damage.”
The Paul vs. Tyson fight has garnered significant attention, not just because of the unique matchup between the YouTube star and the boxing legend, but also because it will be streamed live on Netflix as part of a standard subscription. Fans around the world will be able to watch the fight from the comfort of their homes, adding another layer of excitement to an already much-anticipated event.
For Mosley, his return to the ring against Kofroth might not signal a full comeback, but it has certainly put his name back into the spotlight. Whether he fights Pacquiao, De La Hoya, or another high-profile opponent, Mosley’s competitive fire remains as strong as ever, even as he approaches his mid-50s. His performance in Chester was a reminder that legends like Mosley may age, but they never truly leave the ring behind.
