Shane Mosley vs Zab Judah
by James Slater: Former light-welterweight and welterweight king Zab "Super" Judah has began running his mouth off ahead of his May 31st fight with fellow former world champ, "Sugar" Shane Mosley. So sure is Judah that he will win in May, he has offered Mosley a $100,000 bet that he will knock Sugar out when they clash at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
"The last time I offered a fighter a $100,000 bet, was against Cory Spinks. What did I do? I knocked him out! Shane Mosley is getting knocked out on May 31st. I'm one hundred percent a better fighter," the fast talking Judah declared at the Los Angeles press conference to hype the fight. This is certainly big talk from Judah, especially when one considers the fact that Mosley has never been stopped in his whole career. Indeed, of the two men, Judah is probably the more vulnerable in the chin department.
For his part, Mosley, 44-5(37) appears completely unaffected by Judah's boasting. "It doesn't matter what he says," the softly spoken Mosley said. "I have a mission. I have a goal and my goal is to destroy everything in front of me."
Both men have a lot at stake in the upcoming bout. Whoever loses may well have no place left to go at the top level. So who will win?
Judah, 36-5(25) is the younger man at age 30 compared to Mosley's 36 years, and is a fast southpaw. Mosley, despite his years, is also a fast fighter. Yet Judah believes Mosley has lost a step or two in the speed department as of late. Both guys fought and lost to Miguel Cotto recently, and both men shipped heavy punishment. The winner on May 31st, then, will likely come down to who has more left.
Both Zab and Shane have achieved plenty in fine boxing careers. Judah is a former two-weight king, and Mosley is a former world champion at lightweight, welterweight and light-middleweight. Both fighters have met some great fighters in their careers also. Mosley has beaten the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas (twice) while Judah has bested the aforementioned Spinks and Junior Witter. Now, at the tail end of their careers they meet head-to-head.
For this writer's money the fight WILL go the distance. I don't see a KO either way. I do, however, see Shane Mosley proving he still has some sugar left, as he widely outpoints Zab over the bout's 12 rounds.
Shane Mosley vs. Zab Judah Press Conference Quotes
 - Shane Mosley: “This is one of the fights that will jump start me to the next level and the next fight and the next…I believe I’m the best welterweight out there. Zab will fall prey to me…He’ll be entering the ring against a real man and Zab is just a stepping stone to my next fight.”
Zab Judah: “This fight means a lot to me and I’m preparing myself well for this, so don’t miss it… trust me! From the East to the West, I’m the King of this. Everything I do is do or die for me. From start to finish, it’s going to be cracking on May 31. This is going to be Sugar Shane’s retirement party!”
Judah Mosley
Matthew Hurley: The proposed welterweight match up between former champions Shane Mosley and Zab Judah has been signed for May 31st. According to a report filed by ESPN’s Dan Rafael the fight will be on HBO pay-per-view and most probably in Las Vegas at a site yet to be determined. Both Mosley, 44-5 with 37 KOs and Judah, 36-5 with 25 KOs are coming off respective losses to WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.
Mosley lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Cotto back in November at Madison Square Garden in a tightly contested bout. Judah was knocked out by the champion in the eleventh round in their June rumble, also at Madison Square Garden. The Brooklyn based fighter has since won two unanimous decision victories over Ryan Davis and Edwin Vazquez.
Mosley had been targeting both former welterweight champion Ricardo Mayorga and current WBO champion Carlos Quintana but preliminary discussions stalled. He then set his sites on Judah. Judah, however, had to reapply for a license in Las Vegas after his was revoked in 2006 because of an altercation in the ring in the tenth round during his fight with Floyd Mayweather. Judah fouled Mayweather twice instigating a skirmish between the corners of both fighters. He was subsequently fined $250,000 and suffered a suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct, the second suspension of his career. He has not fought in Las Vegas since. Mayweather’s uncle and trainer Roger also suffered monetary penalties and a suspension for the altercation.
During a meeting with the Nevada State Athletic Commission Judah was approved for license renewal by a 4-0 vote. Mosley, 36, was also approved by the commission as fighters of that age are subject to commission approval.
Mosley-Judah, Barrios-Juarez Quotes
ZAB JUDAH: "First of all want to thank God for having me here and making everyone safe to get here too. Everyone is watching my career—both the great fights and the other things. But it's time to grow up and I give a lot of thanks to Golden Boy too because they have given me a great fight and a great fighter. This fight is not about Shane Mosley it is about me. On May 31 you are going to see the old Super Judah, the one that and if it even gets past the six rounds, you are going to see me finish strong and be the fighter I know I can be.."
SHANE MOSLEY
"I thank God so much for my career to date and for the opportunities I have had to make my career.
"Tremendous fight on May 31 and I am ready to go to war. After the Cotto fight we saw some things that we are going to work on but we will be ready and it is going to be a great fight.
"Zab is definitely a great fighter, and he can crack, and he is fast. But I am on a mission to be the top dog and I want to fight to get through this fight and then fight the best welterweights out there—Cotto, Mayweather.
"Zab is standing in my way and I am too old to fall back now. I want to make this run a great one and it is going to start with Zab on May 31.
"Get ready to go to work and it is going to be great."
JUAREZ VS BARRIOS
RICARDO ROCKY JUAREZ
"Jorge Barrios comes to fight with a lot of heart and a lot of balls and a fighter like that is always dangerous. For some reason I always felt that I would fight him and now it is here. We know that this fight is the turning point that we could be back in the champion's level.
"I still have a desire to become world champion and to prove to fans and critics that I can be world champion."
JORGE BARRIOS
"Great opportunity on May 31 and to fight Rocky Juarez he is going to be an excellent fight. I think he is too small for me anyway and I am going to show him that night."
RICHARD SCHAEFER
"Glad to be back at the Mandalay Bay on May 31 and this will be another thrilling night of boxing for all of the fans.
"Golden boy Promotions is very busy and so proud to be putting on great fights in the coming months—Hopkins vs Calzaghe in Las Vegas in April, Oscar de la Hoya vs Forbes in Los Angeles in May and then we come right back here to Las Vegas for this fight card at the Mandalay Bay on May 31.
High Stakes is the theme of the show and the whole card will be at risk and up for grabs. Crossroad fights for all of these fighters and what will make a great night of boxing.
MARK TAFFET
"We are here to announce this great fight. The people in boxing over the last year or so have been putting together these great fights and we have another one on our hands May 31.
"We have known both Shane and Zab have been a part of HBO for along time and when you look back at their careers and they have provided an incredible moments in boxing.
"They both have a lot on the line, and when you put two fighters that know there is so much on the line, knowing they have to win.
"They are King of the Rings and that is the way the fans know him. Great card and High Stakes top to bottom.
"Juarez and Barrios were here early and that tells you they are ready and excited about this fight May 31.
"Great to be a part of it and we are really looking forward to this night."
Mosley/Judah on May 31 live on HBO PPV
LAS VEGAS, March 15 – With everything riding on the line, the stakes will be high when Sugar Shane Mosley and Zab "Super" Judah square off in a welterweight showdown on Saturday, May 31. Mosley vs. Judah: "High Stakes," headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink, Tecate Beer, Affliction Clothing and Southwest Airlines. The 12-round bout will take at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT..
In addition to the main event, Golden Boy is pleased to announce that former super featherweight world champion Jorge Barrios will meet 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Rocky Juarez as the featured undercard bout of the evening and also featured on the live broadcast.
Tickets, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100 are now on sale and available at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Macy's West at the Fashion Show Mall and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7 580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
"It's extremely high stakes for Zab and myself in this fight and I'm excited to be fighting him," said Mosley. "We have similar styles in terms of speed and power and we both always come to fight. I think it will come down to who's the hungrier fighter. I am hungry for this victory and I'm confident I will get it May 31."
Judah rebutted saying, "I am willing to gamble everything on this fight against Mosley and I know I have to win it to set my career back on the winning path. I respect Shane as a great fighter but I know he can't go 12 fast rounds with me. I plan to take him into deep waters and be the first one to stop him."
Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions stated, "As a boxing fan, I am excited to finally see what happens when two of the best welterweights of this era get in the ring together. Both Mosley and Judah always come to fight with tremendous non-stop action and as they both need to win this fight to keep their dreams of another championship alive, I know we're going to see the best of them May 31."
Senior Vice President of HBOPPV Mark Taffet agreed, "Shane Mosley and Zab Judah have given boxing fans so many exciting, memorable performances for years. We expect May 31 to be another one of those great nights."
A four-time and three-division world champion who has proven to be worthy of the venerable nickname "Sugar," Mosley (44-5, 37 KOs) continues to thrill fans with his speed, power and warrior's heart. Mosley holds wins over the likes of De La Hoya (twice), Fernando Vargas (twice), Jesse James Leija, Luis Collazo and John John Molina while winning world titles in the lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight divisions. The 36-year-old Pomona, Calif. native also showed his mettle and toughness last November when he fought welterweight champion Miguel Cotto tooth and nail for 12 rounds, falling short via close decision. A win over Judah in May will put Mosley at the top of the line for a rematch with Cotto.
Judah (36-5, 25 KOs), a three-time and two-division world champion, is considered one of the most talented fighters of the past decade. The former undisputed world welterweight champion, 30-year-old "Super" Judah owns victories over Junior Witter, Micky Ward, DeMarcus Corley and Cory Spinks. He has recently been fighting with his speed, power and focus coming together like never before. Brooklyn's finest is on track for a spectacular performance against Mosley on May 31.
The Mosley vs. Judah pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Mosley vs. Judah fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
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