The easiest thing in sports is to look back and comment after the fact (hindsight is always 20/20). So that’s what I do. Here are my random thoughts on the Judah victory (sorry nothing else, this is the only fight/card I caught this weekend but I have a lot to say on the fight and surrounding topics) and some press conference highlights.
Zab Judah said a lot of interesting things at the press conference following his highlight reel knockout of Kaizer Mabuza. Here are a few highlights I found interesting and/or amusing
- Main Events CEO Kathy Duva on Zab taking on the elite fighters at 140: “I would like to see Zab fight everyone in that division because I think he will take every one of them to school.”
- Zab on his plan for the fight with Whitaker: He told me the name of the game is boxing, let’s go back to that. You can punch already, you got speed already, now you gotta just box and box your way into the knockout and tonight that’s what I did. Usually I go in there and with the Mayweather fights and the Cotto fights I went in there I went for the kill and by round six I was dead tired. Tonight I took my time, I used my jab. I am going to keep jabbing until the eighth round because I feel I can beat this guy with one hand. They know and everyone at Team Judah knows I am known for having devastating power.”
- Zab on the fight continuing after Mabuza had been knocked into the ropes: “I am not into the assassination game but I got it in me.”
- Zab on Whitaker: “He’s a legend, hall of famer, six time champ of the world, one of the best defensive fighters in the game, a scientist, so I just want to tell you all what I did for six weeks, I went to college and guess what guys; I got a PHD.”
Judah-Main Events Promotions-Prudential Center-Tyson
- About the fight, not much more to say but I was very impressed with Judah executing Whitakers game plan behind the jab, defense, and counter punching. I was also impressed with his composure and consistency. He made himself very relevant in the loaded 140lb division
- The use of the Amerihelth Pavilion attached to the Prudential Center was quite a success. The building held a little less than 3,000 and was nearly filled with rowdy Judah fans from Brooklyn and the Jersey area. When Zab hit the knockout shot the place was electric
- In addition each undercard fight had a flare because each featured fighter was local to the Jersey or Brooklyn area and had a contingency of fans fired up for their guy. The whole night had a festive atmosphere
- Overall I am beating a dead horse because I have said this before but this is how you promote a fight. Build local attractions in venues that people will attend. Main Events took a risk on this fight hoping for a good draw at the gate and for people to buy the PPV. They deserve any success they have because they are willing to promote their fighters and keep them active instead of waiting for premium cable dates
- I did not see it live but heard that Mike Tyson who was present to support his good friend Judah went wild after the knockout. I checked it out on youtube and it is hilarious, Tyson is jumping up and down pumping his fist non-stop
Question, comment, agree, disagree, or anything at all, send it to gpurf3@hotmail.com
