Vibe.com, April 7th, 2006
‘Super’ Zab Judah hopes to show the world that he’s mentally sharper and tougher than people think when he faces ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday night (April 8) in Las Vegas.
The highly-anticipated fight, billed Sworn Enemies, should center around speed and who can use it most effectively to their advantage. However, insiders are quick to once again point out that Zab better be mentally prepared.
“Zab’s problem is and has always been in his head, but he has the talent,” says Joe Santoliquito, Managing Editor of The Ring Magazine, the self-proclaimed Bible of Boxing.
Late 2001 Judah had a great first round against wily veteran fighter Kostya Tszyu, when inexplicably Super dropped his hands by his thighs and was fiercely checked across the chin and knocked down on the canvas, resulting in an embarrassing TKO loss.
Then, just this past January, Judah was simply out-hustled and out-worked by journeyman Carlos Baldomir, who won a 12-round decision and is the reigning Welterweight champion of the world.
“The welterweight champion is Carlos Baldomir. That IBF thing around Zab Judah’s waist is just for show,” says Santoliquito. “The fight should be entertaining and that’s the only reason worth watching it.”
Mayweather is coming off a seemingly effortless TKO victory over Sharmba Mitchell in Nov. 2005. Many boxing analysts are predicting another sound performance from Mayweather on Saturday. However, they’re also citing Judah’s power as key.
“I don’t think Zab has the kind of firepower that Floyd has,” says Santoliquito. “I think Floyd is going to chop him down. Zab does have the power and that will make it interesting.
“These are two guys that have speed and are athletically gifted.”
Sworn Enemies, the Zab Judah/Floyd Mayweather fight is available on HBO PPV.
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