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Zab Judah: ‘I know Floyd well. He’s not going to walk away from money’
Zab Judah: ‘I know Floyd well. He’s not going to walk away from money’
June 6, 10:40 PM
Las Vegas Boxing Examiner
BY Chris Robinson
Judah with Mayweather before their fight (AP Photo: Shiho Fukada)The recent waive of news online has been that of Floyd Mayweather’s recent ‘retirement’ talk, as the Grand Rapids native had reportedly mentioned that he was eyeing a one or two year break from the sport. The news was absolutely perplexing considering that the undefeated fighter has a multi-million dollar date with destiny right in front of him in the form of a bout with Manny Pacquiao.
Upon hearing Mayweather’s proclamations the boxing world has run rampant with some insisting that Floyd is merely talking in an attempt to throw the sport a curveball while others have called him a coward for getting ready to walk away. Wanting to get some perspective from somebody familiar with Floyd I caught up with his former nemesis, Zab ‘Super’ Judah, who can be found these days in the confines of the newly renovated Hit Factory Gym in East Las Vegas as he prepares for a fight of his own. When asked his thoughts on the matter Judah insists that there is too much on the table for Floyd to turn away.
“I think it’s going to happen,” Judah says of a mouthwatering Mayweather-Pacquiao bout. “There is no way in the world [it won’t]. I know Floyd well. He’s not going to walk away from money like that. Pacquiao is doing big things for his country right now. Not only for himself but also for his country. If doesn’t do anything else he can do it for his country.”
Judah and Mayweather fought at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in April of 2006. Mayweather fought his way to a competitive decision win after some early rough moments and you will be hard pressed to find an opponent who had as much early success against Floyd as did Zab. When asked if his performance could serve as somewhat of a blueprint for his fellow southpaw pugilist Pacquiao, Judah was quick to deny as much.
“Yeah and no,” he continued. “My blueprint is Zab Judah. You can’t pin that to Manny Pacquiao. You can’t pin that to nobody else who is out there. Everybody kept saying Shane Mosley was supposed to be the strongest fighter that Floyd was facing. He was the easiest fight that Floyd fought.”
During his time as a fighter Judah has won some big bouts and lost some heartbreakers as well. He has compiled a 38-6 record with 26 knockouts while claiming titles at 140 and 147 pounds. Judah’s last fight was a two round blitzing of Ubaldo Hernandez at the nearby Palms Casino last November. Judah has taken some time to regroup and is eyeing a return next month against Jose Armando Santa Cruz in New Jersey.
“The latest is that I am just blessed,” a grateful Judah claimed. “I want to thank God for putting me back in this position. I was able to make the deal with Main Events and Super Judah Promotions. July 16th we are looking to bring fireworks and excitement to the division. I’m just looking for the best, that’s it, and I want them to know that I am the best.”
By referring to ‘them’ Judah disclosed that he has his eyes on the 140 pound class but noted he would gladly jump to Welterweight if the money or opportunity is right. One fighter that Judah would love to get a crack at is WBA Jr. Welterweight king Amir Khan, fresh off a rousing TKO victory over Paulie Malignaggi in his American debut last month.
“Amir Khan is a good fighter,” Judah noted. “He has good reach and throws a lot of punches. That’s one of the fights at 140 that I am looking for. I think that is going to be a good showdown, Zab Judah and Amir Khan.”
Judah pointed out that while both Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander are fine champions that they have unsettled business between each other to see. For now all Judah can do is take care of matters on the 16th and eye greener pastures while everything plays out.
During his championship days at 140 pounds Judah was as fast and elusive as a fighter you would find near his weight and the dynamite in his left hand made his dangerous at all times. At age 32 Judah is wiser to the game and fully knows that he is now in the role of hungry challenger looking to recapture his glory. Judah closed out by noting that he doesn’t feel slighted in the least and is simply handling his own business.
“It’s not about [opponents] overlooking. There is a theory and a saying. A monkey could never look a lion in the face. The best thing to do in life when you can’t deal with a person is just to ignore them. I just want to thank my fans. I am in the gym and training great.”
Judah's April 2006 bout with Mayweather was a memorable fight. In the early rounds Judah took control and often caught Floyd with his lightning left hand. Mayweather adjusted midway and began to turn the tide of the fight. In the 10th round Judah hit Mayweather with a low blow and rabbit punch that caused a riot. Mayweather would end up capturing a unanimous decision. Click on the collage below for images of all the action...
June 6, 10:40 PM
Las Vegas Boxing Examiner
BY Chris Robinson
Judah with Mayweather before their fight (AP Photo: Shiho Fukada)The recent waive of news online has been that of Floyd Mayweather’s recent ‘retirement’ talk, as the Grand Rapids native had reportedly mentioned that he was eyeing a one or two year break from the sport. The news was absolutely perplexing considering that the undefeated fighter has a multi-million dollar date with destiny right in front of him in the form of a bout with Manny Pacquiao.
Upon hearing Mayweather’s proclamations the boxing world has run rampant with some insisting that Floyd is merely talking in an attempt to throw the sport a curveball while others have called him a coward for getting ready to walk away. Wanting to get some perspective from somebody familiar with Floyd I caught up with his former nemesis, Zab ‘Super’ Judah, who can be found these days in the confines of the newly renovated Hit Factory Gym in East Las Vegas as he prepares for a fight of his own. When asked his thoughts on the matter Judah insists that there is too much on the table for Floyd to turn away.
“I think it’s going to happen,” Judah says of a mouthwatering Mayweather-Pacquiao bout. “There is no way in the world [it won’t]. I know Floyd well. He’s not going to walk away from money like that. Pacquiao is doing big things for his country right now. Not only for himself but also for his country. If doesn’t do anything else he can do it for his country.”
Judah and Mayweather fought at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in April of 2006. Mayweather fought his way to a competitive decision win after some early rough moments and you will be hard pressed to find an opponent who had as much early success against Floyd as did Zab. When asked if his performance could serve as somewhat of a blueprint for his fellow southpaw pugilist Pacquiao, Judah was quick to deny as much.
“Yeah and no,” he continued. “My blueprint is Zab Judah. You can’t pin that to Manny Pacquiao. You can’t pin that to nobody else who is out there. Everybody kept saying Shane Mosley was supposed to be the strongest fighter that Floyd was facing. He was the easiest fight that Floyd fought.”
During his time as a fighter Judah has won some big bouts and lost some heartbreakers as well. He has compiled a 38-6 record with 26 knockouts while claiming titles at 140 and 147 pounds. Judah’s last fight was a two round blitzing of Ubaldo Hernandez at the nearby Palms Casino last November. Judah has taken some time to regroup and is eyeing a return next month against Jose Armando Santa Cruz in New Jersey.
“The latest is that I am just blessed,” a grateful Judah claimed. “I want to thank God for putting me back in this position. I was able to make the deal with Main Events and Super Judah Promotions. July 16th we are looking to bring fireworks and excitement to the division. I’m just looking for the best, that’s it, and I want them to know that I am the best.”
By referring to ‘them’ Judah disclosed that he has his eyes on the 140 pound class but noted he would gladly jump to Welterweight if the money or opportunity is right. One fighter that Judah would love to get a crack at is WBA Jr. Welterweight king Amir Khan, fresh off a rousing TKO victory over Paulie Malignaggi in his American debut last month.
“Amir Khan is a good fighter,” Judah noted. “He has good reach and throws a lot of punches. That’s one of the fights at 140 that I am looking for. I think that is going to be a good showdown, Zab Judah and Amir Khan.”
Judah pointed out that while both Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander are fine champions that they have unsettled business between each other to see. For now all Judah can do is take care of matters on the 16th and eye greener pastures while everything plays out.
During his championship days at 140 pounds Judah was as fast and elusive as a fighter you would find near his weight and the dynamite in his left hand made his dangerous at all times. At age 32 Judah is wiser to the game and fully knows that he is now in the role of hungry challenger looking to recapture his glory. Judah closed out by noting that he doesn’t feel slighted in the least and is simply handling his own business.
“It’s not about [opponents] overlooking. There is a theory and a saying. A monkey could never look a lion in the face. The best thing to do in life when you can’t deal with a person is just to ignore them. I just want to thank my fans. I am in the gym and training great.”
Judah's April 2006 bout with Mayweather was a memorable fight. In the early rounds Judah took control and often caught Floyd with his lightning left hand. Mayweather adjusted midway and began to turn the tide of the fight. In the 10th round Judah hit Mayweather with a low blow and rabbit punch that caused a riot. Mayweather would end up capturing a unanimous decision. Click on the collage below for images of all the action...
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