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Photo © Chris Farina/ TOP RANK
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On April 8th Don King Productions and Top Rank, along with Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas will bring us ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather, 35-0 (24), vs. Zab ‘Super’ Judah, 34-3 (25), for the IBF welterweight championship, live on HBO pay-per-view, from the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s a bout that has lost a bit of media confidence, but by the way ticket sales have gone, it hasn’t lost the fan’s interest. It’s a bout in which the media has hands down made up their minds as to who will come out on top, but the fans seem to have chosen a ‘What if’ approach to what may happen.
Let’s face it; we can say the words ‘what if’ about any fight, but with this Saturday’s bout, the ‘what ifs’ have a much bigger impact. The answers to every question concerning this fight can conceivably have an impact that will profoundly affect, not only the two fighters, but also the make-up of the whole sport.
First off we can talk about Zab Judah, who seems to have the most critics. He’s called ‘Super’ Judah, but after some disappointing outings, the 'S' on his chest can be replaced with a '?', because it’s questionable as to what Zab will show up. What if the focused Judah that snatched the undisputed welterweight crown from Corey Spinks’ head resurfaces – will that be enough to beat the favored Mayweather? What if Judah, who is seen as the harder hitter, lands his nuclear bomb? Will it be enough to melt the present day Mr. Pound-for-Pound?
The media, who largely feel he doesn’t have a chance against Mayweather, has vilified Judah leading up to Saturday’s fight. At a recent press conference in Atlantic City, HBO’s Larry Merchant told Don King directly that he felt this was a ‘farce’ encounter. Others agreed with Merchant’s assessment, but the resilient King stood his ground and let it be known that “Judah will shock the world”. What if Judah pulls off the upset? If that happens, Kings prophecy will shock not only the viewing world, but the worlds of many journalists who will have to explain why the worlds best lost to someone that they perceived as a no-hoper. The boxing landscape will take a definite turn.
It’s no doubt that Floyd Mayweather deserves the accolades that are bestowed upon him, but in this sport the words of ‘never say never’ are ones that should be taken to heart. Strange things have happened in this game. Just think, we haven’t seen signs or heard of recent rumors concerning Mayweather past hand problems, but its conceivable that they are still there. What if the problems resurface in this important bout? We will definitely see him have to move through the alphabet and go from plan A to B. To his credit Mayweather always comes in focused, but after Judah’s last showing and the negative press that has come from it, what if Mayweather starts to really believe that Judah really isn’t a threat? Seeking to check Judah’s supposed weak chin will place him in danger as well. These can be deciding factors that can cause Mayweather’s demise.
The term ‘Devil’s Advocate’ means: one who argues against a popular cause or position, not as a committed opponent but simply to make people discuss and consider it in more detail. I play this role to make people more aware that this fight isn’t a farce, but a fight of circumstance – one can benefit from it and the other can become a victim of it.
Love him or hate him; but an on point Zab Judah is a talented fighter who can definitely win this fight, but if he half steps, he can and will lose this fight. The same can be said of Mayweather who can easily let confidence travel into the realm of conceit, which has pulled many a person under. Which versions of these fighters will show up Saturday night?
The final countdown has begun. All the talking is coming to an end. Pretty soon the fighters will be taking their ring walks. Very soon the two fighters will be in center ring listening to the referee’s final instructions. What if? What if after that bell rings, we get presented with Mayweather and Judah at their best? I’ll tell you what if; there will be no if, ands or buts – we will be witness to a hell of a show.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
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By Rob Scott (April 6, 2006) 
