View Full Version : Judah To Face British Fighter at JC vs RJJ
griff
10-09-2008, 09:07 AM
Zab Judah is set to return on the Madison Square Garden bill of Joe Calzaghe vs Roy Jones Jr. He will face a mystery British fighter at 140.
saturday_kid
10-09-2008, 09:13 AM
Where have you heard this?
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 09:18 AM
Well.......
Who is available around that time and looking for a fight in America.....
A certain Mr Limond perhaps - all the other British fighters around those weights either have prior engagements or would not be sanctioned by the BBBoC.
antcull
10-09-2008, 09:20 AM
Its meant to be Ashley Theophane i heard
Whoever it is is going to get murdered :-(
Interesting addition to the bill though.
SouthpawSlayer
10-09-2008, 09:21 AM
who could that be
griff
10-09-2008, 09:22 AM
What's Junior Witter doing...god not a rematch!
dwilson
10-09-2008, 09:26 AM
Ashley Theoplane is fighting on that bill at that weight so I guess it will be him. I thought it was to be Gainer but this fight is even better, Ashley is building up a decent resume at the moment.
Bonavena25
10-09-2008, 09:27 AM
junior Witter, Michael Jennings?
If it was Witter it would be the best thing he could ever do. At a high profile event in America, and he gets to avenge his defeat.
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 09:46 AM
Well Ashley Theophane beat Chop Chop Corley last time out, so this wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility.
I agree with you though, it would be the best thing that Witter could do, but.....
1. Does he have an exclusive deal with Hennessy
2. Is he actually fighting on? We haven't heard a peep since his post fight interview I don't believe....
3. Would anyone pay for him to appear on any bill, bearing in mind how boring he is to watch?
Well, I'm not really speculating on the likelihood. Probably isn't even him.
It would be fantastic for him though, and he'd stand a chance of getting revenge for a defeat that stained his career.
El Cepillo
10-09-2008, 10:01 AM
I hope its Junior Witter, I think he will win as well.
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 10:08 AM
Witter was shockingly bad against Bradley - whether he would beat Judah I am not so sure.
It is proven that he is not capable of standing up and performing on the big stage, he has had two goes and failed on each occasion.
The Vivian Harris win was good, but he was never really that good anyway, and hasn't fought since - peak Witter KO's peak Harris every day of the week. Simply on a different level.
icemax
10-09-2008, 10:25 AM
Witter was in Thaxtons entourage at the weekend and was interviewed by that ITV4 knob who was cruising around backstage and asking daft questions. Witter looked fit and a lot happier than he has done in a long, long time....maybe I was wrong when I said that we might never see him step through the ropes again after the Bradley debacle.
El Cepillo
10-09-2008, 10:30 AM
If it was Witter it would be the best thing he could ever do. At a high profile event in America, and he gets to avenge his defeat.
Agreed. This could be a turning point in his career. Better late than never.
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 10:31 AM
Did Witter not have some personal issue prior to his last fight, which affected his training (and in turn his ability to make 140lbs)??
I remember hearing something but brushed it off as sour grapes, as the Hennessy camp are never short of excuses for anything.
The Lads
10-09-2008, 10:55 AM
Where is the source for Judah fighting on this card btw?
griff
10-09-2008, 11:05 AM
Did Witter not have some personal issue prior to his last fight, which affected his training (and in turn his ability to make 140lbs)??
I remember hearing something but brushed it off as sour grapes, as the Hennessy camp are never short of excuses for anything.
Witter found out that his father was dying a week before the fight.
GazOC
10-09-2008, 11:05 AM
This would an excellent shortcut back for Witter if he's serious about getting back to world level.
griff
10-09-2008, 11:06 AM
Where is the source for Judah fighting on this card btw?
Boxingtalk
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 11:10 AM
I think he is still highly ranked by the WBC, and is mandatory for the EBU (as is generally the case with losing WBC champs/challengers from Europe).
For some reason Zab is still highly rated - so knocking him the fuck out would restore a great deal of confidence to Witter, and also to the TV networks whom he has let down in the past IMO.
He should definitely angle for a rematch with Bradley, because although he had a shocker it was still a closeish fight.
I'm not sure that rematch will be too forthcoming. Bradley has been talking about Hatton or malignaggi, or even down to lightweight to secure big fights.
I think he knows Witter can perform better too. He wants a big fight, anything but that potential bananna skin.
mike464
10-09-2008, 11:18 AM
It would be brilliant if it was Witter.
D-MAC
10-09-2008, 11:21 AM
I think he is still highly ranked by the WBC, and is mandatory for the EBU (as is generally the case with losing WBC champs/challengers from Europe).
For some reason Zab is still highly rated - so knocking him the fuck out would restore a great deal of confidence to Witter, and also to the TV networks whom he has let down in the past IMO.
He should definitely angle for a rematch with Bradley, because although he had a shocker it was still a closeish fight.
But do you think that Witter would be able to emerge victorious from a fight with Judah?
Wouldn't even the current Zab have a big edge in power, and a slight edge in speed?
Would the fight be at WW?
Apart from the loss to Mayweather (no disgrace there, Floyd was the best) Zab seems to struggle with strong pressure fighters who either wear him down (Cotto, Baldomir & Clottey) or take him out with one shot (Kostya - two knockdowns for the price of one). Witter doesn't fall into either of these categories; he is usually not too comfortable at being the aggressor, especially at this level.
Would Witter's ring smarts be enough?
I'm not too sure myself???? Could have more to do with which Zab Judah turns up. I feel that the Judah who fought Cotto might have too much for Witter...I wouldn't want to put money on it though.
El Cepillo
10-09-2008, 11:21 AM
I think he is still highly ranked by the WBC, and is mandatory for the EBU (as is generally the case with losing WBC champs/challengers from Europe).
For some reason Zab is still highly rated - so knocking him the fuck out would restore a great deal of confidence to Witter, and also to the TV networks whom he has let down in the past IMO.
He should definitely angle for a rematch with Bradley, because although he had a shocker it was still a closeish fight.
how did he let them down exactly?
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 11:22 AM
Well.......
Bradders got the typical easy first defence out of the way, and now he is angling for the winner of Hatton and Malignaggi - but Hatton will get the winner of DLH/Pac, whilst Malignaggi will be wondering where to go after a savage beating.
I remember an interview with him in Boxing Monthly, when he said that he walks round at 155 - so a trip to 135 isn't out of the question.
GazOC
10-09-2008, 11:22 AM
how did he let them down exactly?
Basically by being involved in boring fights. HBO/ Showtime won't touch him with a shitty stick....
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 11:23 AM
how did he let them down exactly?
By being painfully boring :deal
The Lads
10-09-2008, 11:25 AM
how did he let them down exactly?
By backpeddling for the duration of their first contest, this led to american networks claiming they'd never show a junior witter fight again. Let himself down more than them, but I know what he's saying.
Also, Judah would knock witters ass out anyway. All this talk of Witter beating zab. I dont see it. Zab could be a big force down at 140, he was always too small for 147, as his last fight proved.
The Lads
10-09-2008, 11:26 AM
Basically by being involved in boring fights. HBO/ Showtime won't touch him with a shitty stick....
It was for the first Judah fight wasnt it, he was thrilling after that fight, knocked what? 12 out in a row all inside the first 5 or soemthing... then he went shit again.
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 11:26 AM
But do you think that Witter would be able to emerge victorious from a fight with Judah?
Wouldn't even the current Zab have a big edge in power, and a slight edge in speed?
Would the fight be at WW?
Apart from the loss to Mayweather (no disgrace there, Floyd was the best) Zab seems to struggle with strong pressure fighters who either wear him down (Cotto, Baldomir & Clottey) or take him out with one shot (Kostya - two knockdowns for the price of one). Witter doesn't fall into either of these categories; he is usually not too comfortable at being the aggressor, especially at this level.
Would Witter's ring smarts be enough?
I'm not too sure myself???? Could have more to do with which Zab Judah turns up. I feel that the Judah who fought Cotto might have too much for Witter...I wouldn't want to put money on it though.
Good post.
I think Witter has underrated power, and a decent enough chin - though if Zab gets an opening to fire off the left uppercut I see your point. The speed advantage would be with Zab, certainly early, as Witter can be one-paced and lazy.
The fight could be at either LWW or WW, wouldn't make that much difference IMO - both are of a similar size.
Witter doesn't like being the aggressor unless he knows the other guy cannot fire back with plenty - he looked comfortable against Harris and that other chump (Morua was it?) whilst against Corley he looked tentative.
If the Zab that fought Cotto turned up he would have better than 50-50 chance, but otherwise my money would be on Witter, though as you say stylistically he isn't the kind of guy to break someone, or drag them into a war.
Boro chris
10-09-2008, 11:28 AM
I'd be surprised is U.S tv networks wanted anything to do with Witter.
El Cepillo
10-09-2008, 11:29 AM
By being painfully boring :deal
Oh right lol
Beeston Brawler
10-09-2008, 11:32 AM
It was for the first Judah fight wasnt it, he was thrilling after that fight, knocked what? 12 out in a row all inside the first 5 or soemthing... then he went shit again.
Against bums
Broxi
10-09-2008, 11:41 AM
I hope this one would come off, especially against Witter. I'd have to take Judah on this one.
TommyV
10-09-2008, 12:05 PM
What's with all the Witter talk?
It's Ashley Theopane, not Junior.
Therefore Zab KO4.
1stcontact
10-09-2008, 12:16 PM
What's with all the Witter talk?
It's Ashley Theopane, not Junior.
Therefore Zab KO4.
Its not often Anyone talks about Junior Witter so I wouldnt worry he'll be forgotten again in an hour or two:yep:good
achillesthegreat
10-09-2008, 04:57 PM
Witter would be an amazing fight to make. Salita v Limond and Calzaghe v Jones. That's starting to become a real bill.
icemax
10-09-2008, 05:17 PM
Did Witter not have some personal issue prior to his last fight, which affected his training (and in turn his ability to make 140lbs)??
I remember hearing something but brushed it off as sour grapes, as the Hennessy camp are never short of excuses for anything.
I don't claim to be on the inside or anything like that but I do know for a nailed on fact that he went through a pretty rough 2 or 3 months prior to the Bradley fight. He had all sorts of trouble making not just weight for the Bradley fight but also against Harris.
kosaros
10-09-2008, 05:39 PM
But isn't witter on ITV now with Hennessy? would this not jeopardise a fight against judah on Setanta?
GazOC
10-09-2008, 05:42 PM
I suppose it depends whether the deal gives ITV exclusivity on Hennesey fighters.
Probably a moot point, Theophane seems more likley.
brown bomber
10-10-2008, 11:41 AM
I don't claim to be on the inside or anything like that but I do know for a nailed on fact that he went through a pretty rough 2 or 3 months prior to the Bradley fight. He had all sorts of trouble making not just weight for the Bradley fight but also against Harris.I can believe that he's a big lad for a 10 stoner.
Beeston Brawler
10-10-2008, 11:45 AM
What is he, about 5'7'' or 5'8''?
Suppose it depends on how thick set he is as well.
On that subject - I got rubbished on the general forum for saying that Hatton should have been fighting at LW for most of his career.....
Does anyone else feel that is outlandish - whether the lifestyle dictates and all that?
GazOC
10-10-2008, 11:52 AM
Hatton is pretty cut/ ripped at 140, he's all business when training starts and I don't think a lower starting weight at the beginning of training would mean he could end up safely at a lower fighting weight.
brown bomber
10-10-2008, 11:55 AM
What is he, about 5'7'' or 5'8''?
Suppose it depends on how thick set he is as well.
On that subject - I got rubbished on the general forum for saying that Hatton should have been fighting at LW for most of his career.....
Does anyone else feel that is outlandish - whether the lifestyle dictates and all that? No chance..... He's massif too
Beeston Brawler
10-10-2008, 12:29 PM
I think it is a theme that British kids fill out much earlier than those in the US or elsewhere - hence the lack of multi-division champs from here.
i hav heard that Rees might be in the frame,i dunno how true but it is being mentioned.but there is obvious pitfalls regarding promoters etc
JonOli
10-10-2008, 03:59 PM
Witter was sparing with Thaxton last thing I read.
brown bomber
10-10-2008, 04:51 PM
it is theophane. . . No one else. I've spoke to him about it. He fancies his chances against an always erratic performer.
it is theophane. . . No one else. I've spoke to him about it. He fancies his chances against an always erratic performer.
who is his manger/promoter?just out of curiousty ...
ScouseLad
10-10-2008, 05:00 PM
Judah likely to face Ernest Johnson according to Dan Rafael.
GazOC
10-10-2008, 05:09 PM
it is theophane. . . No one else. I've spoke to him about it. He fancies his chances against an always erratic performer.
If he can get past the first 5 rounds or so he'll have a chance. Zab is still very dangerous fighter against everyone but the very best though.
JonOli
10-10-2008, 05:24 PM
It will add a bit of extra interest to the card - which is a good thing.
vBulletin® v3.8.0, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.