DU_stud04
05-24-2007, 10:48 AM
Zab Judah, the former undisputed welterweight world champion coming off a one-year ban after sparking a riot in the ring, is confident he will take the crown from unbeaten champion Miguel Cotto on June 9.
The 29-year-old US southpaw will face the Puerto Rico powerhouse here at Madison Square Garden on the eve of the National Puerto Rican Day parade, with Judah bragging he will be the grand marshall of the march after beating Cotto.
"Come June 9 there will be a changing of the guard," Judah said Wednesday. "If he had three arms in this fight, it wouldn't help him."
Judah, 34-4 with 25 knockouts, had a no-contest declared last month in the first round of his comeback bout after serving a one-year ban following his role in a riot during the 10th round of a 2006 fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Judah's low blow and punch to the back of Mayweather's head brought a one-year ban from Nevada officials after he dropped a 12-round decision to his US compatriot. He had already lost his crown to Carlos Baldomir.
"It's not how you lose. It's how you come back. You have got to come back and come back strong," Judah said.
"The only time I get beat is when I beat myself. They unjustly took my money, took my job. Now I'm going to show the world I'm the best pound for pound.
"I'm older. I'm confident. I'm very focused. You're going to see a new Zab Judah. Cotto, I've got nothing against him. But he is the first foe of the new Zab Judah and he will get destroyed."
Judah said he spent 11 months in the gym training for his chance to return to the ring.
"A month after I got suspended I got back in the gym. I kept training. I stayed focused," Judah said. "It made me stronger, more confident. I stayed focused. It made me a more dangerous fighter."
Cotto, 29-0 with 24 knockouts, owns the World Boxing Association title after jumping from the super lightweight ranks.
"Cotto is a very good fighter," Judah said. "He's confident. He's strong. He comes forward. He's a good champion. I have a lot of respect for him. But we have to do what we have to do.
"Cotto is going to put is back where we belong, at the top in place for Floyd Mayweather one more time."
Judah's goal is to earn a rematch against Mayweather, who said after beating Oscar de la Hoya earlier this month that he plans to retire.
The split decision victory by Mayweather, 38-0 with 24 knockouts, was the biggest moneymaking bout in boxing history, making rivals such as Judah hungry for a piece of the pie from future bouts.
"Floyd and de la Hoya was a dance contest. You'll see a real fight June 9," Judah vowed. "Give me Mayweather one more time. That's all we want. Bring him."
The 29-year-old US southpaw will face the Puerto Rico powerhouse here at Madison Square Garden on the eve of the National Puerto Rican Day parade, with Judah bragging he will be the grand marshall of the march after beating Cotto.
"Come June 9 there will be a changing of the guard," Judah said Wednesday. "If he had three arms in this fight, it wouldn't help him."
Judah, 34-4 with 25 knockouts, had a no-contest declared last month in the first round of his comeback bout after serving a one-year ban following his role in a riot during the 10th round of a 2006 fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Judah's low blow and punch to the back of Mayweather's head brought a one-year ban from Nevada officials after he dropped a 12-round decision to his US compatriot. He had already lost his crown to Carlos Baldomir.
"It's not how you lose. It's how you come back. You have got to come back and come back strong," Judah said.
"The only time I get beat is when I beat myself. They unjustly took my money, took my job. Now I'm going to show the world I'm the best pound for pound.
"I'm older. I'm confident. I'm very focused. You're going to see a new Zab Judah. Cotto, I've got nothing against him. But he is the first foe of the new Zab Judah and he will get destroyed."
Judah said he spent 11 months in the gym training for his chance to return to the ring.
"A month after I got suspended I got back in the gym. I kept training. I stayed focused," Judah said. "It made me stronger, more confident. I stayed focused. It made me a more dangerous fighter."
Cotto, 29-0 with 24 knockouts, owns the World Boxing Association title after jumping from the super lightweight ranks.
"Cotto is a very good fighter," Judah said. "He's confident. He's strong. He comes forward. He's a good champion. I have a lot of respect for him. But we have to do what we have to do.
"Cotto is going to put is back where we belong, at the top in place for Floyd Mayweather one more time."
Judah's goal is to earn a rematch against Mayweather, who said after beating Oscar de la Hoya earlier this month that he plans to retire.
The split decision victory by Mayweather, 38-0 with 24 knockouts, was the biggest moneymaking bout in boxing history, making rivals such as Judah hungry for a piece of the pie from future bouts.
"Floyd and de la Hoya was a dance contest. You'll see a real fight June 9," Judah vowed. "Give me Mayweather one more time. That's all we want. Bring him."