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08.04.06 - By Izyaslav “Slava” Koza: The fight between Pretty Boy Floyd and Zab Judah really lasted about five rounds and after that, it turned into a typical “Pretty Boy” clinic. Zab Judah admittedly came out very confident and very strong, much like he did against most of his overmatched foes, and even if you watch the tape against Carlos Baldomir, and Kostya Tsyzu as well. Mayweather was seemingly tense, and anxious and for those five rounds it seemed like Judah was going to give Mayweather, a Castillo like bout, but unfortunately for Zab Judah, championship bouts last more then five rounds.
As Mayweather alluded to in the post fight, Judah is a six round fighter, and even then I think he was being overly generous. To add to that, if you look at any Judah loss, you will realize that once Judah gets smacked back in the face, he goes into a defensive counter punching shell (which is crap, too, by the way), that allows the opponent to impose his will any which way he likes. That speaks volumes for Kostya Tsyzu, by the way, since as soon as he realized that, the fight ended in the second round with one punch.
I am not trying to take anything away from Mayweather, but basically this fight was a matter of his opponent’s limitations, rather than Mayweather’s skill. Mayweather was his usual speedy self, throwing quickly, slipping punches quickly, and winning the rounds going away. There was simply nothing coming at him after round five, and he took over the fight in his usual manner. The only slight criticisms for Mayweather, from a tactical standpoint, were that early in the fight his great shoulder defense was not as prominent as it was when Judah did try to throw something late in the fight. In the early rounds, when Judah was the most dangerous, Mayweather squared up more, giving Zab more of a chance. So, technically, early on he was more susceptible to getting caught with that one big punch. This is possibly why his glove touched down on the canvas early in the bout, off a Judah connect, and could have cost him a 10-8.
The real interesting bit in the fight came after the outcome was no longer in doubt. Zab Judah, a self proclaimed bad ass, obviously frustrated that he was on his way to yet another loss, threw what looked like a deliberate low blow (watch the tape, because it seems somewhat blatant) and followed it up with his first rabbit punch (second one was yet to come). With five seconds left in the round, and Mayweather hopping around injured, Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s trainer, jumped in the ring and tried to verbally accost Judah.
First and foremost, what Roger Mayweather did was ridiculous and stupid, and made me jump out of my chair, wanting to hit something myself. I understand his feelings since his nephew was attacked illegally, but that “family love” could have cost the Mayweather camp an easy fight, Roy Jones Montell Griffin style. It would have been completely justified, even if completely disappointing to everybody else and obviously myself.
However, that was just the beginning as the Judah was camp was just looking for a reason to get back to their pathetic and comedic street nature. While Roger Mayweather was reasonably thrown out of the arena, where the hell was the law when Yoel Judah came in the ring and initiated the brawl by swinging first? Now, at first view, I am sure you don’t notice it but if you have it on tape, rewind it and check out what Zab Judah does after his dad starts out. Soon after Judah sr. throws the first punch at uncle Roger, another Mayweather corner man tries to separate them, and Judah with a huge grin on his face runs around behind the corner man and hits him with the second rabbit punch of the night.
To me, I understand the reason why Zab threw both his first rabbit punch and the low blow that allowed him to land it, because he wanted the win. As I have said, though I won’t pat the fighter on the back, I can sort of see their side of it. However, watching what seemed like underhanded actions in that melee makes me question his character.
Credit to Floyd Mayweather Jr. for not losing his composure and embarrassing Zab the best way he knows how, and that is in the ring. Floyd did not go out looking to retaliate with illegal shots, or look for a knockout (even if said so before the 12th), he went back to doing exactly what it was that made Judah lash out so desperately. I know there might have been hoodlums and criminals cheering for Zab’s courageous actions, but I was cheering for Mayweather effortlessly showing why he is the best pound for pound fighter in the sport today. Not even in the post fight interview where Mayweather had the best, and most justifiable chance to embarrass Judah by making fun of him, did he act even a fraction of the way Judah did. That ultimately surprised me even more because that showed a tremendous improvement in Mayweather’s character. To me, that is exactly how the best pound for pound fighter in the world should react to desperate actions of desperate fighters who have absolutely no chance of ever reaching his level of dedication, devotion and flawlessness.
Congratulations to Floyd Mayweather Jr. on a fight well fought, and to Zab Judah for his flawed performance and “fighter” attitude.
