Hopkins did it, can Mosley do it too?

On Saturday night, in Los Angeles, California, one of the sports most iconic figures will attempt to do something that many feel he has very little chance to do. As he sets out to accomplish this mission, those closest to him argue that the notion of him failing is perhaps the major reason why they expect him to get the job done.

Whatever the expectation, Mosley knows that at the ripe age of 37 and facing the proverbial 'westside' of his career, now is not the time to allow a setback of any proportion to happen. With many questions surrounding his legacy (due to recent steroid allegations), coupled with rumors surrounding his marital life, it remains to be seen exactly how well Mosley will fare when he faces what will go down as arguably his stiffest test in recent years.

With many walls around him falling down, Mosley's biggest source of inspiration can be found right within the stables of Goldenboy Promotions in good friend, and to a smaller degree role model, Bernard Hopkins.

Hopkins' role in the Mosley fight remains concealed to the public eye, but few can doubt that in a very paralleled scenario, it will serve as the X-factor come fight night. That X-factor coming by way of the 'X-man' - (Bernard Hopkins) - will be on display when his trainer, Nasim Richardson, accompanies Mosley to the ring and attempts to steer him in the same direction that he guided Hopkins as the sports elder-statesman was able to get a very decisive, yet far from predicted victory over a very young KO artist who possessed many of the same problems Mosley will face.

For those who can attest, Richardson is one of the best strategical minds in the sport, and his expertise could very well make it just as easy for Mosley to turn back the hands of time as it was for Hopkins.

Margarito presents a ton of problems for Mosley, but in defense of Mosley, Margarito has never faced a fighter with his ring intellect, and has certainly never faced a fighter as seasoned as he is.

How it all plays out remains to be seen, but the influence of Hopkins and the engineering mind of Nasim Richardson could mean a fizzled tornado from Tijuana.

Stay tuned.

Contact Vivek Wallace at vivexemail@yahoo.com, follow more of his work at Eastside Boxing and The Examiner, or show some love at Myspace