What Is “Sugar” Shane Mosley’s Net Worth?
“Sugar” Shane Mosley, a celebrated former professional boxer, boasts a net worth of approximately $10 million. This financial standing is the result of a career spanning from 1993 to 2016, during which he achieved significant success and recognition in the boxing world. His accomplishments include holding world titles in three different weight divisions: lightweight, welterweight, and light middleweight.
Career Highlights and Earnings
Mosley’s boxing career was marked by several high-profile victories. He defeated Oscar De La Hoya twice, secured a win against Antonio Margarito, and triumphed over Fernando Vargas. As the IBF lightweight champion, Mosley defended his title successfully eight times. These achievements, particularly during his prime years from 1997 to 2004, highlighted his exceptional hand speed and power, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite. He secured a career-high payday of $7 million for his fight against Floyd Mayweather in May 2010.
However, later in his career, Mosley faced losses against formidable opponents such as Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Canelo Alvarez. Despite these setbacks, he maintained a commendable record of 49 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw, with 41 wins achieved by knockout. His contributions to boxing were formally recognized in 2020 with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Financial Disclosures and Spending Habits
In September 2015, as part of a court case, Shane Mosley was required to provide a detailed declaration of his net worth. These filings revealed that his assets amounted to $14.6 million, while his debts totaled $4.8 million. This placed his net worth at just under $10 million.
The filings also provided insights into Mosley’s spending habits. At the time, he was reportedly spending $5,000 per month on new clothing and a similar amount on dining out. Additionally, he allocated $11,600 per month for entertainment, vacations, and gifts.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Shane Mosley was born on September 7, 1971, in Lynwood, California, and grew up in Pomona. He has two older sisters, Venus and Cerena. Mosley’s interest in boxing began after witnessing his father’s street fights. Subsequently, at the age of eight, he began training and was managed by his father.
Mosley excelled as an amateur boxer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He achieved numerous titles, including United States Amateur Champion at Lightweight and United States Amateur Champion at Light Welterweight. He also won a silver medal at the 1989 World Junior Championships and a bronze medal at the 1990 Goodwill Games. These early successes laid the foundation for his professional career.
Professional Debut and Lightweight Dominance
Mosley made his professional debut in February 1993 at the Hollywood Palladium in California, where he knocked out Greg Puente in the fifth round. He continued his winning streak, securing victories in his next six fights. His success carried into 1994, where he won all nine of his bouts. By May 1997, Mosley had an undefeated record of 23 fights.
In the summer of 1997, Mosley fought for his first world title, the IBF lightweight championship, against Philip Holiday, who was making his seventh defense of the title. Mosley won the fight by unanimous decision, claiming Holiday’s title. He successfully defended his title against challengers such as Manuel Gomez, John John Molina, Jesse James Leija, and Golden Johnson. In April 1999, Mosley made his eighth and final defense of the title against John Brown.
Transition to Welterweight and Notable Fights
Mosley vacated his lightweight title and moved up to welterweight in late 1999. After consecutive knockouts against Wilfredo Rivera and Willy Wise, he faced Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC welterweight title in 2000. Mosley emerged victorious with a split decision after 12 rounds. He defended his title against Antonio Diaz and Adrian Stone before losing to Vernon Forrest in early 2002.
Mosley returned to the welterweight division in 2007. In August, he challenged Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight title but lost. In 2009, Mosley regained his welterweight status by defeating Antonio Margarito by TKO. The following year, Mosley fought Floyd Mayweather Jr., losing by decision. He was then stripped of his WBA welterweight title for not making a mandatory defense. In 2011, Mosley fought Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title but was unsuccessful.
Light Middleweight Ventures and Retirement
Mosley debuted in the light middleweight class in early 2003 against Raúl Márquez. The bout ended in a no contest after an accidental head-butt caused severe cuts above Márquez’s eyes. Later that year, Mosley faced Oscar De La Hoya for the second time, winning by a controversial unanimous decision to claim the WBC and WBA light middleweight titles.
Mosley defended his titles against Ronald Wright in March 2004 but lost both their first bout and their rematch. He then defeated David Estrada, Jose Luis Cruz, and Fernando Vargas in two fights. In 2008, Mosley fought Ricardo Mayorga for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental light middleweight title, winning by knockout. In 2010, Mosley fought Sergio Mora, resulting in a split draw. He returned to light middleweight in 2012 to fight Saul Álvarez for the WBC light middleweight title but lost. Following this bout, Mosley officially retired, ending his career with a record of 46-8-1.
Comebacks and Final Retirement
Mosley came out of retirement in May 2013 to fight Pablo Cesar Cano for the vacant WBC International welterweight title, winning by unanimous decision. He then fought Anthony Mundine, losing by technical knockout. After retiring again in December 2013, Mosley returned in July 2015 to fight Ricardo Mayorga, winning by TKO. Next, Mosley defeated Patrick López for the WBA Continental super welterweight title. In March 2016, he lost to David Avanesyan. Mosley announced his third and final retirement in August 2017.
BALCO Scandal Involvement
In 2002, Mosley was listed as a client of BALCO, a laboratory under investigation for selling banned performance-enhancing substances to athletes. Testifying before a grand jury, Mosley admitted to using energy-boosting drugs and undetectable steroids but claimed he thought they were vitamins. In 2008, Mosley filed a $12 million defamation lawsuit against BALCO founder Victor Conte, who asserted that Mosley knowingly took the drugs. The suit was dismissed in 2010.
Personal Life
Mosley married Jin Sheehan in 2002, and they had three children before divorcing in 2010. Mosley has a son, Shane Jr., from a previous relationship. He also has two children with his girlfriend, Trista Pisani. He currently lives on a chicken farm in California and works with PETA to end dog fighting and the trading of seal fur.