Jesse James Leija couldn't cope with Mosley's power

Born in Lynwood, California in September 1971, he has boxed since the ripe old age of eight.

Mosley has enjoyed success wherever he has stepped into the ring, helped greatly by his trainer - father Jack who has nutured his son's remarkable talent.

He was a three-time National Amateur champion and compiled an amateur record of over 250 wins.

As he stepped out of the amateur ranks, he was labelled a "can't miss" prospect for stardom.

The undoing of a South African

He didn't disappoint. He shined in his professional debut, knocking out the former California State champion Greg Puente in February 1993 after five rounds.

Hampered by promotional difficulties Mosley joined up with Cedric Kushner Promotions.

Gonzales is not alone in being floored by Mosley

As a professional he racked up nine KO wins in a row before dominating Oscar Lopez over 10 rounds.

He stopped his next 13 opponents on the way to his 1997 title shot against the unbeaten IBF lightweight champion Phillip Holiday.

The boxing world had continued to shun Mosley until he took on the seemingly invincible South African.

Construction analogies

Holiday's iron chin lasted 12 rounds but was easily outboxed by the rising star, who exhibited lightning speed and immense power - the world crown was now Mosley's.

Mosley's style is described by his father as "power boxing".

"If a worker on the streets takes a jackhammer and hits it against the ground a few times, the street isn't going to give," Jack Mosley has explained.

"But if you hit the street the same time with the same intensity over and over, eventually the street's going to give and that's what power boxing is all about."

'Sugar' Shane made eight defences, all by KO with former champions Juan Molina and James Leija all defeated by a blend of boxing, body punching and blinding combinations.

'Sugar' Shane destroyed Australian Shannan Taylor

Mosley's reputation grew ever-stronger.

HBO commentator and world champion Roy Jones Jr. proclaimed after the Molina fight: "He's the best lightweight in history, maybe after Roberto Duran."

Mosley, however, found it difficult to find opponents wanting to fight him and as he struggled to make the 135-pound weight limit he moved past the 140-pound division to the welterweights.

His critics gathered again predicting gloom and failure, claiming Mosley was too small and did not possess the speed and power required for the new weight.

Speed and desire

He fought his first welterweight opponent - former title challenger Wilfredo Rivera - in September 1999 and Mosley triumphed with a stunning tenth round knockout.

Veteran Willy Wise, fresh off a victory over Julio Cesar Chavez, was no match for Mosley either, and the New Yorker fell in the third round.

Mosley's greatest test, though, arrived as he stepped into the ring with friend from home De La Hoya at the Los Angeles' Staples Center in June 2000.

Jack Mosley (behind) has had a huge influence

In the most exciting welterweight title fight since "Sugar" Ray Leonard defeated Thomas Hearns in 1981, Mosley's speed, desire, and power shocked and silenced his remaining doubters.

The intensity of the fight captured the attention of the world as Mosley overcame the Golden Boy's brawling tactics in 12 gruelling and bruising rounds.

Mosley has since defeated tough contender Antonio Diaz and more recently Australian Shannan Taylor.

The knockout ratio for Mosley is the highest of any world champion with more than 20 fights.

With Vernon Forrest, the man who denied Mosley a spot on the 1992 Olympics team, and WBA champ James Page both waiting in the wings 'Sugar' Shane Mosley has still got plenty to occupy his mind.

A fight against undefeated junior-middleweight champion Felix Trinidad is next on his agenda, with both men certain to make millions from the bout.

A victory over the Puerto Rican will surely establish him as an all-time great.

But wherever his future lies, Los Angeles' number one warrior, with a little help from his family, will be providing the fireworks with his fists.