US Olympians Stumble

Shane Mosley, has a search for a credible opponent

By BBC Sport's Kevin Asseso

Two of the top US boxers to emerge from the 2000 Sydney suffered a blow to their post-Olympic careers.

Dante Craig and Ricardo Williams Jr shared a nationally televised card last week in their native city of Cincinnati, Ohio, but the hometown fans left disappointed as neither fighter could notch a win.

Craig, a welterweight who had been impressive in winning his first two pro fights by first-round knockouts, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of unknown Sherwin Davis.

I let the crowd influence me. I realize that was a mistake

  Dante Craig

Craig had dominated the action until Davis sent him to the canvas with a surprise right hand late in the third round. Craig could not get his feet under him and the referee called a halt to the action.

What looked to be a walk in the park had turned into a disaster.

"I was trying too hard - I was trying to force a knockout," Craig said. "I let the crowd influence me. I realize that was a mistake."

Williams, possibly the best of the 2000 US Olympians, received a 'no contest' decision when the ringside doctor stopped his fight with Cuban-born Damian Guerra after an unintentional head butt in the third round opened a large cut above Guerra's eye.

Williams had been impressive throughout the junior welterweight bout and surely seemed on his way to the win. Instead, his pro record remains at 2-0.

Sugar's Next Opponent?

"Sugar" Shane Mosley, now on a full-scale search for a credible opponent, will be keeping a very close eye on Saturday's fight between Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis and Larry Marks.

Mosley lost the potential for a huge payday when Felix Trinidad moved to middleweight to take part in Don King's unification tournament.

Mosley is a good fighter, and I believe I would be the winner if we fight

  Andrew Lewis

And with Oscar De La Hoya showing no signs of wanting a rematch with Mosley, "Six Heads" Lewis may be the best opponent out there.

Lewis (20-0-1) was impressive in knocking out former champion James Page in February, and Marks should provide little resistance if Lewis is in his usual form.

"Six Heads" has his sights placed squarely on Mosley. "That is a dream fight," Lewis said. "Mosley is a good fighter, and I believe I would be the winner if we fight."

If all goes according to form, Lewis-Mosley could happen sometime in the autumn.

Dream Lightweight Fight

On the undercard of the Lewis-Marks fight is a gem of a matchup, the type that seems increasingly rare these days.

Julio Diaz will face Luis "Sensational" Sencion. Both are skilled, young, undefeated lightweights on their way to bigger and better things.

We could stand back and ask why either fighter would risk their unblemished records to face such a tough opponent so early in their careers, but instead let's just enjoy it.

Diaz (21-0), the younger brother of Antonio Diaz, was recently named "prospect of the year" by USA Today newspaper. He has sparred with Floyd Mayweather Jr and Angel Manfredy, but this is his first truly big-time fight.

Likewise for Sencion (16-0), a flashy fighter who has become the pride of New York City.