Interesting Zab Judah quote about Mayweather.

[tito yuca]

Pretty true. Not sure on De La Hoya though, I don't remember many people thinking he was 'hot', but I agree in principle.

Yeah, people talked about him being a part-time fighter, but they also referenced his last outing to support their idea that he would KO Floyd.

I put "thought as being hot" for DLH and Hatton because before the fights, tons of people said they would KO Floyd and pointed to the Mayorga and Castillo fights, as well as their styles and size, but after they lost, all of a sudden Oscar was old and Hatton was small.

[Sin City]

His next 3 fights disprove that theory - he took on Baldomir who was on a hot streak, ODLH who was thought of as hot after destroying Mayorga, and undefeated Hatton who was thought of as hot after destroying Castillo.

Yes, taking out an old Castillo gets you on top of the world.

[abadger]

He almost pitched a perfect game against Mayorga.

Yeah, but everyone knew he was old, and Mayorga wasn't what he was, and was never really in De La Hoya's class anyway. But Hatton in particular was a very credible challenger, probably the most credible at that time, and DLH had that great legacy behind him, so i think they were all good fights for Floyd first time around.

[tito yuca]

Yes, taking out an old Castillo gets you on top of the world.

I'm pointing out what people said, not my own opinions. I never gave Hatton credit for beating a Castillo who lost on my card to Ngoudjo, and I always said Floyd would KO Hatton.

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

Seems like Mayweather had a fight with Hatton in England on his mind way back then.

"Say If was to fight Ricky Hatton in England, it really wouldn't matter to me because the thirty or forty thousand fans can't get in there and fight for him. It's a one on one physical sport". - Floyd Mayweather

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

Yeah, but everyone knew he was old, and Mayorga wasn't what he was, and was never really in De La Hoya's class anyway. But Hatton in particular was a very credible challenger, probably the most credible at that time, and DLH had that great legacy behind him, so i think they were all good fights for Floyd first time around.

Didn't Hatton look like crap against Lious Collazo though.

[tito yuca]

Didn't Hatton look like crap against Lious Collazo though.

Everyone (except those who favored Floyd) said that he only looked bad because he had little time to put on the weight because his scheduled fight at 140 was cancelled and the only other offer was Collazo at 147. His trainer said they wouldn't come in as heavy as they did because that was the problem, not a lack of skill.

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

The last quote comes from Leonard Ellerbee. I found this one the most interesting of the bunch because you can look at it both ways. It can be looked upon as we're gonna take on the best and stay undefeated, which is a lofty goal or We're going to match Floyd carefully for the rest of his career so remains undefeated.

"Our goal is for Floyd to retire undefeated and possibly be mentioned in the likes of Robinson and Ali once his career is over". - Leonard Ellerbee.

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

What do you guys think about these quotes now. Just curious. I found it interesting that in 06 he considered fighting Hatton in England or at least had him in his radar.


Quotes from Sworn Enemies: Countdown to Mayweather/Judah

"I think the only reason this fight is made is because Mayweather saw an opportunity, he thought I was vulnerable, he sat there with his friends and watched my loss to Baldamir and said you know what I can beat him now. This is what Mayweather does, he goes in there and fights fighters when they're finished". - Zab Judah

"One time in my life I said, well I'm doing it just for the money. It's for the love of the sport. I truly, truly love boxing, blood, sweat, and tears. In my time Floyd Mayweather is the best, and to go down as one of the best, in the likes of Ali and Robinson, I gotta keep racking up victories and beating the best guys out there". - Floyd Mayweather

"Our goal is for Floyd to retire undefeated and possibly be mentioned in the likes of Robinson and Ali once his career is over". - Leonard Ellerbee.

"Say If was to fight Ricky Hatton in England, it really wouldn't matter to me because the thirty or forty thousand fans can't get in there and fight for him. It's a one on one physical sport". - Floyd Mayweather

[Squizz]

Everyone (except those who favored Floyd) said that he only looked bad because he had little time to put on the weight because his scheduled fight at 140 was cancelled and the only other offer was Collazo at 147. His trainer said they wouldn't come in as heavy as they did because that was the problem, not a lack of skill.

That's a crock of u know what! Luis just had his number, and Ricky's ever apparent lack of defense was exposed. (And was further exposed by Floyd in their fight.)