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Juan 'El Novelista' Mosquera
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There is a grand pugilist in our midst and most of us here in America are not even aware of his existence. He has accomplished immense feats in the ring and has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the light welterweight division but because there is some distance between this boxer and ourselves in regard to geography several of us have never heard the name Juan Mosquera before. Well if you do not know who I am referring to you will by the end of this article. And rightfully so I might add. With an able record of 21-3-1 (13), Juan ‘El Novelista’ Mosquera is the current WBA Fedecentro light welterweight champion and Panamanian light welterweight champion, having knocked down Ameth Diaz, 19-6 (13), in the second round of their scheduled 10 round bout on April 4, 2005 at Gimnasio Roberto Duran in Panama City, Panama and going on to stop Diaz by KO in the 7th round. This is significant seeing as Diaz is now the present WBA Fedecentro lightweight and Panamanian lightweight champion after having moved back down in weight after suffering his loss against Mosquera.
This was no small feat by Mosquera who even defeated Jorge Luis “El Tirano” Noreiga Medrano with a TKO in the 4th round of their 10 rounder at the Figali Convention Center at Fort Amador in Panama City, Panama 7 months after beating Diaz. This is even of more significance than his victory over Ameth Diaz because Medrano was a bane to the Panamanian people who had come to their country and KO’d all of their top well known fighters. Juan put a stop to his reign by bettering the man who had knocked out Wilmer Gomez twice, and Juan’s former opponent Ameth Diaz and another recognized fighter, Miguel Callist (20 – 5 – 1 / 16 KOs)..
Mosquera has been a fighter since 1997, when he made his pro debut against Domitilio Cordoba winning a UD at the Gimnasio Kiwanis in Panama City, Panama. Juan has been a dominant force in Panamanian boxing for quite a few years now and has knockout wins over top echelon Panamanian fighters Miguel Callist, Wilmer Gomez, and the aforementioned Ameth Diaz. The dilemma that Mosquera unfortunately currently faces as do many upper level fighters in the sport of boxing is that no one wants to fight him. Like any up and coming boxer who shows mettle and ability, Juan and his team of trainers Lazaro Frutos and Carlos Cruz and his manager Franchesa McLean have huge trouble in finding opponents. The entire republic of Panama knows of Juan Mosquera’s aptitude and stand behind their countryman with a reverence and just respect for a fine Champion and accomplished boxer who just needs more opportunity to shine and showcase what he has to offer in the ring and to the world. The problem which remains is no boxers are willing to step into the pugilistic arena with ‘El Novelista’. He is a hard working, disciplined and devout boxer who just needs a chance. Mosquera is not alone in not being able to get fights, but this is a chance for those in power out there who can make a difference and can not only elevate fighters’ careers but also have the influence and clout to give hungry boxers like Juan Mosquera some of the breaks that he and his team are not able to get within their country.
This isn’t an issue of money or setting up a bout with some unknown against one of our American ‘stars’. This is about taking a solid, professional boxer who is proven in the ring against top opposition and challengers and giving him the stage and letting him show you what he’s made of. Mosquera has already revealed to the people of Panama what he is capable of. He has a verifiable record of consistent knockouts and TKO victories throughout his career. When Juan and his team do get fights set up the other fighters will back out last minute. While this is commonplace in boxing not only is it unfair but it also limits the prospects for true talent. We all know boxing has been in a huge slump lately. It is high time that we reach our hands in friendship and unity across borders and countries and make some of these great fights happen. Juan Mosquera’s camp has informed me that they tried numerous times unsuccessfully to contact Demetrius ‘The Gladiator’ Hopkins, 22-0-1 (9), Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 40-0 (30), and Stevie ‘Lil but Bad’ Johnston, 38-3-1 (17), and even issued challenges to all three of these fighters at different times and was even given the run around by Johnston’s camp in the past.
Juan Mosquera is a top prospect and a recognized champion in his country and deserves and should be given a shot at any of these fighters and any other boxer out there in the light welterweight or welterweight division right now. He’s the 10th ranked light welterweight right now by the WBA and although alphabet ratings aren’t always a gauge on a fighter’s capabilities there is no question that Juan Mosquera is the real deal and deserves a crack at some of our fighters out there.
Why should we continue to set up boring and money making fights just for the sake of lining big wig’s pockets when we could step away from that type of thinking and give someone who not only is more hungry than many of the fighters out there fighting setups and tune up fights, but might even come out of nowhere to show us a thing or two on how it’s really done? Carlos Baldomir, 42-9-6 (12), just did that against Zab Judah, 34-3 (25), when he beat him for the WBC welterweight title recently. While many people out there said that Judah wasn’t himself that night, Baldomir brought his ‘A’ game all the way from Argentina and let the rest of us know that he had arrived. Now it’s time for us to see Juan Mosquera in action.
Of course we all know why most boxers from other lands don’t get the credit and fights that they need. The reason is simple, it’s because there is far more money to be made by dishonest promoters and their minions by taking their top guys and letting them fight boxers that they know they can beat and get a quick payday off of. Why not extend that policy to Juan Mosquera and his team? Give him this possibility of showing what he can do. The reason is clear why most won’t, and it’s because they don’t want the likelihood of a loss on their record. But the magic of boxing is that struggle and the clashing of men’s wills. How will we as fans and supporters of the sport get to see our athletes at their best if they are not challenged continually by the best, or by those who are destined to be the best?
Juan’s background is of the essence that most Latin legends of boxing come from. These humble beginnings are what makes these fighters so compelling and gives them their drive to succeed. Juan Mosquera was born in Garachine in the province of Darien on December 14, 1976, but he came to the capital of Panama as a youth. He resided in Curundu which is a rough community in Panama City. His manager Franchesa McLean’s father, Roy, got him out of Curundu approximately one year ago and relocated him to the barrio of San Miguel. The conditions are still rough for him but far better than his days in Curundu. Juan currently lives with his girlfriend Lia and they have two sons Emanuel and Juan Andres. Juan and his entire camp have a strong and positive belief in God and hope of their fighter one day crossing over into the bigger named fights and becoming a World Champion. Mosquera trains extremely hard daily and even runs approximately 10 miles a day to remain in peak condition. He is a positive influence on his community and is only focused on boxing and not the daily distractions of life in his surrounding neighborhood. Juan does not possess any bad habits and only is concerned for his family and where his career is heading. Being from the land of the celebrated Roberto ‘Manos de Piedra’ Duran, 103-16 (70), it is no wonder that fighters out there are ducking him. Panama has a rich tradition in boxing and they produce some of the finest fighters in the world. But Juan Mosquera’s time has come to march into the world arena of boxing. And it is up to the promoters and matchmakers out there to make this happen now.
This is an open plea by me as a boxing fan. I think Juan ‘El Novelista’ Mosquera deserves the option and right to fight better and more prolific fighters and let us all see what he is all about. If he is not given this benefit of the doubt not only will it impact his life and the lives of not only his children, partner, team and family, but it will also leave a huge question mark of ‘What if?’ Let’s not let Juan Mosquera and his abilities become left to ‘what if?’ or ‘could have’. That’s just not fair and it’s not right. Juan is a dedicated pugilistic who can bring something constructive and helpful to the table for a change. He can bring a breath of fresh air to our sport with his contributions and some competition in a sport that seems to be getting away from that aspect of the discipline lately.
 So this is an open invitation to all the promoters out there in the game today. If you want to be fair and reasonable and give Juan Mosquera the opportunity that so many fighters like him are denied on a daily basis because of where they live, then you can contact the individual who handles all of Team Mosquero’s administrative functions Fernando Harris at Master Gomez Gym at 507-2288199. Some of the best of Panama train at Master Gomez Gym from current WBA light flyweight champion Roberto ‘La Arana’ Vasquez, 21-1 (17), to former WBA light middleweight champion Santiago ‘El Herrero’ Samaniego, 36-10-1 (29), and top cruiserweight Tito ‘El Misil’ Mendoza, 32-7 (25).
So the ball is now in your court promoters and matchmakers. You have the ability and pull to give this great young fighter a break. Do what’s right by Juan Mosquero and the sport of boxing.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
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By Jason Petock (February 14, 2006)
