Floyd Jr to get old foe Judah’s help vs Pacquiao

They figured in a fight that was marred by a near-riot but now Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Zab Judah may yet team up in training camp to try to bring down Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao on March 13. Judah, a former undisputed welterweight champion, himself reported that talks are underway to possibly have him as Mayweather’s sparring partner for his much-anticipated showdown with the Pacman.

“We’re already talking about it and it could be happening," the southpaw Judah said in an interview with FightHype.com. on Saturday. Judah and Mayweather locked mitts on April 8, 2006 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas with “Money" hacking out a unanimous decision. But that fight was more remembered for a ruckus involving their cornermen inside the ring, spurred by a low blow landed by Judah in the 10th round. Judah was fined $250,000 and had his boxing license revoked for one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Assessing the planned Pacquiao-Mayweather gig, the 32-year-old Judah gives the unbeaten American the advantage. “If Floyd fights the fight that he’s supposed to fight, then yeah, it could be an easy night for him," said Judah, expressing marvel with Mayweather’s excellent defensive skills. “(Mayweather) is hard to hit…I don’t think Pacquiao is going to be able to run in there and throw those kinds of shots that he was hitting (Miguel) Cotto with, with (Oscar) De La Hoya with, (Ricky) Hatton with. He’s not going to hit Floyd with those kinds of shot," he added. The Las Vegas-based fighter, who actually suffered an 11th round TKO loss to Cotto in their 2007 duel, also questioned how Pacquiao’s chin could take Mayweather’s precision punches. “Floyd’s not a hard puncher but Floyd’s gonna connect. He’s sharp and he’s going to be right there. He’s going to connect on him (Pacquiao) so we’re gonna find out if Pacquiao is really the truth," he said. For Judah, Pacquiao’s vaunted KO power would also not work wonders against Mayweather, although he did not discount the possibility of the Filipino pulling off a W. “If Pacquiao beats Floyd, hey, you gotta take your hats off to him. The only way I see Pacquiao winning is a 12-round split decision," he said. Pacquiao and Mayweather have agreed in principle to fight on March 13 but promoters Top Rank and Mayweather’s representatives from Golden Boy Promotions are still to finalize the fight terms. Trainer Freddie Roach intends to start training camp by January 5 or 6, with British champion and Pacquiao’s friend Amir Khan eyed as chief sparmate. In the meantime, Pacquiao spent his moments savoring his historic victory over Cotto and celebrating his 31st birthday in his hometown General Santos City Thursday night.
The Pacman even staged a concert to mark his day, which was made all the more jolly by recognition he received from Time.Com, which named him in its list of People Who Mattered in 2009," an esteemed roster that included US President Barack Obama. The day before, Pacquiao won runner-up honors to the late Sugar Ray Robinson in the World’s Greatest Ever Boxer voting, even outranking the legendary Muhammad Ali who was voted third in the online voting. Birthday boy Pacquiao was also picked the World’s Greatest Ever Featherweight for his triumphs over Mexican greats Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez. - GMANews.TV