The post-fight press conference for Mayweather-Judah came off without incident. Yet, there were plenty of questions, answers and allegations surrounding the melee that took place during the 10th round of Floyd Mayweather, Jr.’s twelve round unanimous decision victory over Zab Judah. Mayweather, now the IBF welterweight champion, won his fourth world title in as many weight classes Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to Skip Avansino, Chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission, the purses of both fighters have been withheld until the Commission can review the tape of the 10th Round. Roger Mayweather has been temporarily suspended for entering the ring during the 10th Round.
The post-fight press conference began with Don King asserting that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. should have been disqualified when his Uncle and Trainer Roger Mayweather entered the ring during the 10th. Roger Mayweather entered the ring after Zab Judah tagged his fighter with a low blow.
According to Judah’s promoter Don King, “When Roger Mayweather entered the ring, it disqualified the fight.” King contended: “The Nevada Commission has the discretionary power to do as they may. They had the power to disqualify the fight, but they decided not to exercise that power.”
Mayweather’s Promoter Bob Arum clarified that under the rules of the Nevada Athletic Commission the Referee has the discretion to disqualify a fighter if a member of his corner team enters the ring, or to allow the fight to continue.
The dethroned Champion, Zab Judah took the podium to say, “I take no credit from Mayweather. He is a great fighter.” Judah pronounced that he is not a dirty fighter and that he “did not purposely hit Mayweather in his nuts.” Judah went on to claim that Roger Mayweather choked him during the 10th Round melee. Judah contends there is a tape recording of the incident which documents Roger Mayweather choking him. Judah insists, “The tape does not lie. I was choked by Roger Mayweather.”
Mayweather, the new IBF Welterweight Champion shared with the media after the fight: “The low blow hurt real bad. He was ready to go when I got hit with the low blow. He was tired. I was breaking him down and he was tired. He was fatigued. He was ready to quit.” Mayweather explains: “He hit me with a low blow and with the commotion going on he was able to regroup and was able to fight 6 more minutes.” By his own admission, the low blow and the melee that followed not only afforded Judah an opportunity to regroup, but took Mayweather out of his rhythm.
Mayweather was not entirely shocked by the low blow. According to a conversation between Floyd Mayweather and his Trainer Roger Mayweather that took place earlier in the week, Roger had warned Floyd saying, “Once you get him hurt, he is going to try and do something dirty.”
When asked to comment on the melee, Mayweather responded, “That’s not for me to speak on. I’m not the Nevada Commission.” When asked about his commitment to his Uncle and Trainer Roger Mayweather, Floyd replied, “Roger will always be my trainer. I will always stick with him 100%.” Floyd went on to say, “We are going to get everything cleared up. We fight through our problems.”
When asked about what is next for his boxing career, Mayweather answered: “I do all the fighting inside the ring. I let my team take care of business outside the ring. I’m dedicated to my craft. I don’t pick-and-choose opponents.” When asked about a rematch with Judah, Mayweather responded: “If they want to see this again, it’s easy work for me. Next time it won’t go the distance.”
Mayweather spoke about the injury to his right hand: “Once I hit him on the forehead my hand started killing me. I’m getting an X-Ray later on tonight.” The injury took place in the early rounds of the fight.
Mayweather summarized: “Although I’d like to have stopped him, I am happy with the victory”
Jorge Arce, who knocked out his opponent Rosendo Alvarez in the 6th Round of their scheduled 12 round grudge match said, “I didn’t want a knock-out in the first round. I wanted to punish him.” Arce claims the WBC Flyweight Interim Championship stating: “What I promised I gave you. I promised victory and I gave it to you.” Arce discredited Alvarez’ power saying, “Everybody told me he was a real tough guy, but I never felt his power.” When asked about the future, Arce answered, “I am ready for bigger guys.” Arce says that he is ready to fight anybody. “I just want to prove that I am a great Champion and a great Mexican Warrior.”
Alvarez blamed his struggling to make weight as the reason for his sub-par performance. Alvarez shared, “He’s a great fighter. I did too much to my body to make weight. I was weak.” Alvarez went on to state: “I should have prepared better. I was so weak that I vomited earlier today.” Alvarez was asked about his future plans and whether he could make the 115 weight limit again. Alvarez remarked, “Yes, I can make 115 if I prepare better.”
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