"If you think that David Estrada put heat on you, watch when I put heat on you".

That's what Fernando "El Feroz" Vargas promised "Sugar" Shane Mosley at their Las Vegas press conference, right after they bet each other $100,000 that one would knock the other out. While Mosley has been criticized for being less than sparkling in his last two performances, Vargas has been even more so, betraying his fan-friendly aggressive style for a more polished but questionable defensive-minded game. If Vargas means to put his money where his mouth is and bring the heat, this could be a sleeper candidate for fight of the year.

The fight, which takes place Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay in Vegas, presents a do or die challenge for both fighters.

After losing a competitive fight to Winky Wright at junior middleweight, Mosley dropped back down to 147 and beat an awkward David Estrada, winning virtually every round, and an even more awkward Jose Luis Cruz both by unanimous decision. In both those fights, Mosley was criticized for not scoring knockdowns, although he looked fit and in composed, throwing combinations which included a hellacious right hand. By contrast, Vargas returned to the ring as a middleweight after a long layoff by outpointing feather-fisted but busy Raymond Joval, then suffering a broken jaw in beating veteran Javier Castillejo at 154. Vargas won both fights ny unanimous decision as well.

So if Mosley, 41-4 (35), was seen as too hesitant by boxing experts in his last two bouts, then Vargas, 26-2 (22) was lambasted by his Mexican fans for being too defensive. Saturday's fight presents an oppurtunity for both warriors to prove they are still at the top of their games. If Mosley wins, there are a number of fighters in the welterweight division who will be looking to capitalize on his marquee name. If Vargas wins, a second fight with Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions is promoting the fight, would be demanded by Vargas and the public.

The paradox of Fernando Vargas is that the style that captured the hearts of his Latino fanbase and cemented his status as a true Mexican warrior is also the style responsible for his undoing. Whenever Vargas has stepped up in competition, with the exception of Winky Wright, he has been destroyed. Felix Trinidad and De La Hoya both boast stoppages over "El Feroz", but Vargas must bring the Fernando Vargas of those fights against Mosley if he wants any chance of scoring a knockout and looking sensational doing it. His new defensive style will not work on a superior, highly-skilled boxer as Mosley. For Mosley, this is his chance to prove he has knockout power. The Mosley of the lightweight division overwhelmed with speed and power, but he hasn't scored a knockout, or even a knockdown, in his last eight fights. While Mosley has a solid chin, the big question is whether Vargas' suspect beard will hold up against Mosley's artillery. This could be a deciding factor in the fight, and a knockout for Mosley will secure future pay-per-views as well as reestablish him as the feared boxer-puncher he once was.

Vargas will surely abandon his defensive, cautious style and pressure Mosley in the first round. Mosley will establish his jab early, and use lateral movement to frustrate Vargas. Both fighters are 5' 10", which favours Mosley, who has a quicker straighter jab. Also, Mosley's excellent body punching should soften Vargas up and slow him down for the later rounds. Vargas will have to stalk Mosley and overwhelm him with his size, something which might prove difficult if Mosley is strong enough to handle his size. Vargas' best chance of hurting Mosley is in enaging him in a war, though if Mosley stands up under Vargas's best punches that could be deflating for Vargas' ego, and turn the psychological factor in favour of Mosley. Both fighters are known for wearing their emotions like a badge, whoever enters the ring with the healthier mentality will already have the decided edge, and this doesn't bode well for the ever-gloomy Vargas.

The fight will be exciting and competitive, with both men showing tremendous heart and courage in going into the trenches. However, Mosley will find his groove in the middle rounds, start throwing lightning-quick combinations and catch Vargas with the same punch that De La Hoya floored Vargas with: the left hook. If there's one thing Mosley has in common with Vargas-conquerors De La Hoya and Trinidad, it's that he is a lethal finisher, and once he has Vargas hurt, it's game over for "El Feroz".

Prediction: Mosley KO 9