“That Should Have Been an Automatic Disqualification”: 17 Years After Losing His Titles to Floyd Mayweather, Zab Judah Still Can’t Move Past Infamous Brawl Involving Roger Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe

There remains a fight, which may not have received the hype several others with similar features might have. It occurred on April 8, 2006, between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Zab Judah in Paradise, Nevada’s Thomas and Mack Center. The referee’s in-match decision, the fray, and the post-match repercussions still make it a hot discussion among boxing enthusiasts.

Over the years, some fights develop a character, often finding mention independent of the protagonists. Fans still remember the ‘Rumble in the Jungle,’ the Hagler-Hearns epic ‘The Fight,’ or the Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao saga, ‘The Fight of the Century.’ Among the infamous, there remains Tyson-Holyfield’s ‘The Sound and the Fury,’ which eventually became ‘The Bite Fight.’ So what was so special about the ‘Sworn Enemies?’

Echoes of a fight: Zab Judah versus Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Zab Judah reminisces about the clash enthusiastically and still seemingly questions the decisions. So the New York-born Southpaw joined the crew of Math Hoffa for a bare your soul session. One of the hosts asked, “There’s that controversy about Floyd Mayweather never [been] having never been knocked down, right, and you being the person who did it, uh-huh, because his glove touched the back, right, [you] you count that as a week, do you count that…”

Though interpreted differently, ‘Super’ replied, people saw what happened before them. The host mentioned that a knockdown need not be sensational or rip-roaring. Judah, agreeing, highlighted the rules that govern the requirement. According to him, the right decision taken at the time could have impacted the overall outcome of the match.

So Judah pointed out that while he was ahead during the first six rounds, Mayweather Jr. overtook him during the last six. So just when the fight was on tenterhooks, the latter’s uncle and trainer, Jeff Mayweather, and close associate Leonard Ellerbe charged into the ring. Fans might remember the incident during the tenth round when the referee called for a break after watching ‘Money,’ who had received a below-the-belt hit and a hit on the back of his head, writhing in pain.

Soon after Judah, Yoel Judah joined the melee. Hence, the undue intervention qualified for ‘automatic disqualification.’ Zab Judah said, “…the referee [is] trying to stop Roger from attacking me, right? That’s what [you all] automatic disqualification. You cannot cut; it’s not f***ing wrestling. You can’t come in here. What are you doing? You know you can’t do that. That should have been an automatic disqualification..” But, the former champion clarified that different conclusions could be drawn from the affair.

Go for the wallets

Later, though, he heaped loads of praise on Floyd Mayweather Jr. The ‘Sworn Enemies’ ended in a unanimous victory for the latter. Subsequently, following the post-match sittings, Roger Mayweather, Leonard Ellerbe, and Yoel Judah were fined. The Athletic Commission revoked their licenses as well. Zab Judah could go scot-free as he received a fine of $350,000 and a year-long license suspension.

Read More: Zab Judah Clears the Air on Him Calling Terence Crawford the Only Fighter From This Generation to Make It to All the Eras, Compares Floyd Mayweather as Well

Have you seen the 2006 Mayweather Jr. – Judah fight? What are your views on the way the fight eventually turned out? Please share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below.

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