Do you agree with Schaefer? Speed Kills!

"I think, by the way, the one guy who gave Floyd Mayweather the most trouble in his last, I don't know, 10 years or so is Zab Judah," stated Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who gave two-division world champion Zab Judah high praise ahead of his anticipated showdown with fellow two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi on December 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Is there validity in Schaefer's claim, or is he simply saying that in order to promote the upcoming Battle of Brooklyn? During the 10-year span that Schaefer is referring to, most would agree that Mayweather's most competitive opponents included Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, and Zab Judah. While De La Hoya came the closest to victory on the scorecards, losing a split decision to the pound-for-pound king, it was Cotto who seemingly did more damage, bloodying the face of Mayweather. So where does that put Judah, who some believe was not credited for a knockdown when Mayweather's glove touched the canvas after he landed a short right hook in the 2nd round? For those that like to reference CompuBox, the numbers show that of the three opponents, Judah was the least effective: COMPUBOX NUMBERS VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER Zab Judah total punches landed: 82/444 Miguel Cotto total punches landed: 105/506 Oscard De La Hoya total punches landed: 122/587 Zab Judah power punches landed: 59/162 Miguel Cotto power punches landed: 75/329 Oscard De La Hoya power punches landed: 82/341 Judging from those stats, it appears that Oscar De La Hoya was able to get more work down against Mayweather, followed by Miguel Cotto and then Zab Judah. Still though, when you watch the fights, it does indeed seem like Judah was able to trouble Mayweather more than both Cotto and De La Hoya, as evidenced by the fact that it took Mayweather nearly four rounds to adjust to Judah's speed before he took control of the fight. So the question remains, is Richard Schaefer right? Did Zab Judah give Floyd Mayweather the most trouble in the past 10 years? By Ben Thompson/November 29,2013 Khan is the second best threat to Floyd not Cotto. Khan has twice the heart of Judah and he's tougher then Judah. Zab Judah had all the right tools but he's a weak, mental midget. Floyd broke him to the body then broke his face. Khan beat him every round then stopped him with a body shot. Cotto beat him low, then beat his body, then broke his face. lol! IMO Khan shares many of Zabs tributes but is even faster. Lets be honest here, FLOYD ISN"T KO'ING KHAN!!! The two people that Ko'd Khan are known power punchers and one took a beating to do it. Floyd doesn't like taking those risk. Prescott, if you're not a hater you can admit, can happen to anybody. Khan has proven himself sense then. I'm not saying I want Khan next. I'm a Cotto fan and all I'm saying is it shouldn't be Cotto. IMO if Floyd vs #1 doesn't happen, then Khan is the next threat.

Comments (20)

Speed is a great asset but Mayweather and Khan don't have a monopoly on speed. I don't think Schaefer knows a damn thing about boxing and his opinion on the ability of different fighters is of no interest or value to me.

11y ago

VG_Addict

Zab made him look human those first four rounds, they weren't close. The one time he fights a fast guy he picks the one who is mentally weak. Once mayweather adjusted zab couldn't do ****. That fight is the reason why he never fights southpaws or fast fighters. Ill eat my words if he fights manny. Khan is the same story, he's fast but not the whole package. He'd still give him problems though. Floyd never fights southpaws? Once again, green K means nothing. Guerrero and Ortiz were southpaws, you idiot. Who are these so-called "fast" fighters Floyd avoided?

11y ago

daggum

You guys can't under estimate those laser like shots Floyd throws to the gut. That is what I thought was key for Floyd taking over the fight. Remember attack the body and the head always comes. Zab was always weak to the body. zab was always weak period. he stopped throwing punches against malignaggi so lets not give floyd too much credit.

11y ago

torosboxing75

I think so too, and if he beats khan then ill give him the credit, but at least he'd be facing someone different who presents a challenge. He's fought the same style forever, it's tiring and predictable. Exactly! :dance: :dance:

11y ago

Elblanco

I know Khan can tag Floyd and make it very interesting. I think so too, and if he beats khan then ill give him the credit, but at least he'd be facing someone different who presents a challenge. He's fought the same style forever, it's tiring and predictable.

11y ago

Beercules

Yeah Zab really gave Floyd problems in those 4 rounds. Too bad he's a mental midget, and Floyd was prime then. Imagine what Manny will do to this Floyd who gets tagged by slow caveman Maidana :lol1: "He bit me doeeeeee :crying:"

11y ago

torosboxing75

Funny you mention that, I was thinking about those punches during the Wilder/Stiverne fight. Off topic, but Stiverne was open to the body the entire fight. If Wilder could have put more punches to his gut, that could have made a huge difference and probably stopped him. That's one of the reason's I like Floyd, he mixes up his offense and hits all openings. Khan does this very well sometimes (the Maidana fight for example), I wish he would vary his attack like that more often. He's a great body puncher and has a good uppercut when he uses it. If he actually commits to mixing up his offense, he'll be extremely tough to beat. I was thinking the same thing. lol!

11y ago

torosboxing75

I think either fight is good for different reasons. I can definitely see wanting to see the Khan fight since he's a new opponent and quite different from many of Floyd's recent opponents. On the other hand, the Cotto fight is appealing from two standpoints. Floyd can attempt to snag the middleweight title and Cotto has looked beastly since training under Roach. Maybe Cotto actually beats Floyd this time around? It's intriguing. But we probably all agree that neither is the fight we really want to see. Khan's best chance for that fight happening is if Floyd/Pac doesn't happen. If it does happen, Floyd will be tied up with Pac for at least two fights. After that he'll probably take a light touch and retire. Cotto has looked beastly. But against Rodriguez and half a Martinez. I'm not sold yet. Floyd's defense has looked better sense his father's return. It might be a boring one sided UD victory. I know Khan can tag Floyd and make it very interesting.

11y ago

Ferrarijones

You guys can't under estimate those laser like shots Floyd throws to the gut. That is what I thought was key for Floyd taking over the fight. Remember attack the body and the head always comes. Zab was always weak to the body. Funny you mention that, I was thinking about those punches during the Wilder/Stiverne fight. Off topic, but Stiverne was open to the body the entire fight. If Wilder could have put more punches to his gut, that could have made a huge difference and probably stopped him. That's one of the reason's I like Floyd, he mixes up his offense and hits all openings. Khan does this very well sometimes (the Maidana fight for example), I wish he would vary his attack like that more often. He's a great body puncher and has a good uppercut when he uses it. If he actually commits to mixing up his offense, he'll be extremely tough to beat.

11y ago

Rath

I'll take timing over speed any day of the week mate. but but but timing takes time to execute and you only have 3mins. to do it every round. you probably timed him once or twice every minute and that would be 6 punch per round at the most. Floyd punch rate punch accuracy per round is what and those are with stationary opponents? and how many of those punches are power shots knowing Floyd only tippy taps most of the time. This is the thing. Floyd has a ring advantage over all those whom he had fought. He already won the head game even before the fight starts, he is that confident inside the ring. now with Pac all those advantage will not be there plus the fact that Floyd dreaded Pac punch. he will always 2nd thought his punches compared to what was once a natural reflexes he always does in the ring think about it.

11y ago

Ferrarijones

Again I'm not saying I think Khna beats Floyd. The point of the thread is why I would rather watch Floyd vs Khan rather then Cotto again. And I'm a Cotto fan. But if Cotto isn't fighting Canelo he should fight GGG. I think either fight is good for different reasons. I can definitely see wanting to see the Khan fight since he's a new opponent and quite different from many of Floyd's recent opponents. On the other hand, the Cotto fight is appealing from two standpoints. Floyd can attempt to snag the middleweight title and Cotto has looked beastly since training under Roach. Maybe Cotto actually beats Floyd this time around? It's intriguing. But we probably all agree that neither is the fight we really want to see. Khan's best chance for that fight happening is if Floyd/Pac doesn't happen. If it does happen, Floyd will be tied up with Pac for at least two fights. After that he'll probably take a light touch and retire.

11y ago

torosboxing75

11y ago

torosboxing75

I don't really think Zab folded in that fight for being a mental midget (although he's famous for that). He was fighting a perfect fight for the first four rounds. It's just that when you're in the ring with Floyd you need a few different game plans because once he adjusts and you don't it's over. Floyd took a few of Zab's weapons away, timed him, smothered him, and was able to outthink him from round 5 forward. Zab just got frustrated because he was getting beat so bad and couldn't come up with another strategy on the fly to fool Floyd. It take more than just speed to beat Floyd Mayweather. If you can catch him and get him out of there early, sure speed may work in your favor. But if he can deal with your speed and power, he will adjust and beat you. It's not only about what the opponents are doing to Floyd (oh he's fast, he's powerful), it's also what Floyd does to them. He can nullify their offense while maintaining his own. Tough to beat regardless of the other fighter's physical attributes. Again I'm not saying I think Khna beats Floyd. The point of the thread is why I would rather watch Floyd vs Khan rather then Cotto again. And I'm a Cotto fan. But if Cotto isn't fighting Canelo he should fight GGG.

11y ago

Elblanco

11y ago

Ferrarijones

11y ago

Rath

Judah should have won by disqualification. Team Floyd cause a melee inside the ring. Was that situation not a ground for disqualification specially that Rogers choking Judah incident?

11y ago

Elblanco

11y ago

davidandrei

I don't remember these fights exactly but the article seems kind of confusing or was that the point? Saying he had the most trouble with Judah but then Judah got solved and even the compubox shows he connected less. too many factors to really have a good basis. age, weight, opponent, opponent's circumstances, etc etc etc. As much as I don't like Mayweather, I believe a guy like him will rise to the occasion. not saying he wins versus anyone but he damn sure will try.

11y ago

torosboxing75

I'll take timing over speed any day of the week mate. I would too. However judah didn't use timing, he used speed. Khan uses speed and has decent timing. Remember I'm not saying he beats Floyd either.

11y ago

SnakeVen0m

I'll take timing over speed any day of the week mate.

11y ago