“WHY, dear God why.” It was safe to say my initial reaction to Shane Mosley Vs Ricardo Mayorga – quite possibly the most tragic rematch in recent years – was not one of unbridled euphoria.

Rematches, trilogies or multiple more battles between two boxers have made for some of the greatest spectacles in sporting history, not just boxing.

But there’s nothing more depressing than watching two old - and I mean old - foes trade leather for one last time purely for a pay-day.

My boxing nightmare came to life on Saturday when Mosley, 43, and the 41-year-old Mayorga met at the legendary Forum in Inglewood, California – a rematch seven years in the making.

The pair are that many years past their best and took part in weeks of shameful, WWE-esque trash talk – oh and not to mention Mayorga slapping the rear end of Mosley’s girlfriend.

To put it into context, the American Mosley, once considered boxing’s pound-for-pound best, knocked out the Nicaraguan bad boy in the 12th and final round of a dramatic clash.

Mosley went on to beat Antonio Margarito to win the welterweight world title before his career hit the skids following a loss to Floyd Mayweather. The cigarette and booze-loving Mayorga had a couple of comebacks before an ill-fated foray into MMA.

On Saturday, history repeated itself to some extent. Mosley knocked out Mayorga but in the fourth round rather than the 12th. Mayorga’s trademark theatrical crotch-grabbing and gesticulating remained but that was about all.

He was a husk of the fighter he was, absorbing clean shots while his wife balled her eyes out at ringside. Nothing entertaining about that, whether ringside or for whatever reason paying an astonishing $50 to watch it on pay-per-view.

The build-up was just disgusting. How Mayorga’s sexual assault avoided worldwide media is beyond me.

And to think this whole circus unfolded while two world-class warriors, Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares, battled on the free-to-air ESPN a few miles away in Los Angeles.

Mosley and Mayorga aren't the only former opponents to square off again. Danny Garcia Vs Erik Morales and Mayweather Vs Marcos Maidana are the most recent unnecessary rematches.

But even Mosley and Mayorga’s farce could be eclipsed by a third fight between super fit British icons Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn!

Boxing’s history has been littered with tragedies like the Mosley and Mayorga debacle throughout its history.

Legends should not need to recoup career losses by taking more blows to the head. Boxing’s bigwigs across the pond need to take better care of their greats.

And if that means denying them an undignified curtain call, then so be it.