Do you agree with Schaefer? Speed Kills!

[torosboxing75]

"I think, by the way, the one guy who gave Floyd Mayweather the most trouble in his last, I don't know, 10 years or so is Zab Judah," stated Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who gave two-division world champion Zab Judah high praise ahead of his anticipated showdown with fellow two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi on December 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Is there validity in Schaefer's claim, or is he simply saying that in order to promote the upcoming Battle of Brooklyn?

During the 10-year span that Schaefer is referring to, most would agree that Mayweather's most competitive opponents included Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, and Zab Judah. While De La Hoya came the closest to victory on the scorecards, losing a split decision to the pound-for-pound king, it was Cotto who seemingly did more damage, bloodying the face of Mayweather. So where does that put Judah, who some believe was not credited for a knockdown when Mayweather's glove touched the canvas after he landed a short right hook in the 2nd round?

For those that like to reference CompuBox, the numbers show that of the three opponents, Judah was the least effective:

COMPUBOX NUMBERS VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER

Zab Judah total punches landed: 82/444
Miguel Cotto total punches landed: 105/506
Oscard De La Hoya total punches landed: 122/587

Zab Judah power punches landed: 59/162
Miguel Cotto power punches landed: 75/329
Oscard De La Hoya power punches landed: 82/341

Judging from those stats, it appears that Oscar De La Hoya was able to get more work down against Mayweather, followed by Miguel Cotto and then Zab Judah. Still though, when you watch the fights, it does indeed seem like Judah was able to trouble Mayweather more than both Cotto and De La Hoya, as evidenced by the fact that it took Mayweather nearly four rounds to adjust to Judah's speed before he took control of the fight. So the question remains, is Richard Schaefer right? Did Zab Judah give Floyd Mayweather the most trouble in the past 10 years?
By Ben Thompson/November 29,2013

Khan is the second best threat to Floyd not Cotto. Khan has twice the heart of Judah and he's tougher then Judah. Zab Judah had all the right tools but he's a weak, mental midget. Floyd broke him to the body then broke his face. Khan beat him every round then stopped him with a body shot. Cotto beat him low, then beat his body, then broke his face. lol! IMO Khan shares many of Zabs tributes but is even faster. Lets be honest here, FLOYD ISN"T KO'ING KHAN!!! The two people that Ko'd Khan are known power punchers and one took a beating to do it. Floyd doesn't like taking those risk. Prescott, if you're not a hater you can admit, can happen to anybody. Khan has proven himself sense then. I'm not saying I want Khan next. I'm a Cotto fan and all I'm saying is it shouldn't be Cotto. IMO if Floyd vs #1 doesn't happen, then Khan is the next threat.

[Heavyfist]

Its true, Khan is Mayweathers biggest threat. But after the Alexander fight, floyd is all, " Khan who?"

[SnakeVen0m]

I'll take timing over speed any day of the week mate.

[torosboxing75]

I'll take timing over speed any day of the week mate.

I would too. However judah didn't use timing, he used speed. Khan uses speed and has decent timing. Remember I'm not saying he beats Floyd either.

[davidandrei]

I don't remember these fights exactly but the article seems kind of confusing or was that the point? Saying he had the most trouble with Judah but then Judah got solved and even the compubox shows he connected less. too many factors to really have a good basis. age, weight, opponent, opponent's circumstances, etc etc etc. As much as I don't like Mayweather, I believe a guy like him will rise to the occasion. not saying he wins versus anyone but he damn sure will try.

[El-blanco]

Zab made him look human those first four rounds, they weren't close. The one time he fights a fast guy he picks the one who is mentally weak. Once mayweather adjusted zab couldn't do ****. That fight is the reason why he never fights southpaws or fast fighters. Ill eat my words if he fights manny. Khan is the same story, he's fast but not the whole package. He'd still give him problems though.

[Rath]

Judah should have won by disqualification. Team Floyd cause a melee inside the ring. Was that situation not a ground for disqualification specially that Rogers choking Judah incident?

[Ferrarijones]

I don't really think Zab folded in that fight for being a mental midget (although he's famous for that). He was fighting a perfect fight for the first four rounds. It's just that when you're in the ring with Floyd you need a few different game plans because once he adjusts and you don't it's over. Floyd took a few of Zab's weapons away, timed him, smothered him, and was able to outthink him from round 5 forward. Zab just got frustrated because he was getting beat so bad and couldn't come up with another strategy on the fly to fool Floyd.

It take more than just speed to beat Floyd Mayweather. If you can catch him and get him out of there early, sure speed may work in your favor. But if he can deal with your speed and power, he will adjust and beat you. It's not only about what the opponents are doing to Floyd (oh he's fast, he's powerful), it's also what Floyd does to them. He can nullify their offense while maintaining his own. Tough to beat regardless of the other fighter's physical attributes.

[El-blanco]

I don't really think Zab folded in that fight for being a mental midget (although he's famous for that). He was fighting a perfect fight for the first four rounds. It's just that when you're in the ring with Floyd you need a few different game plans because once he adjusts and you don't it's over. Floyd took a few of Zab's weapons away, timed him, smothered him, and was able to outthink him from round 5 forward. Zab just got frustrated because he was getting beat so bad and couldn't come up with another strategy on the fly to fool Floyd.

It take more than just speed to beat Floyd Mayweather. If you can catch him and get him out of there early, sure speed may work in your favor. But if he can deal with your speed and power, he will adjust and beat you. It's not only about what the opponents are doing to Floyd (oh he's fast, he's powerful), it's also what Floyd does to them. He can nullify their offense while maintaining his own. Tough to beat regardless of the other fighter's physical attributes.

Great post man, I saw it the same way.

[torosboxing75]

I don't really think Zab folded in that fight for being a mental midget (although he's famous for that). He was fighting a perfect fight for the first four rounds. It's just that when you're in the ring with Floyd you need a few different game plans because once he adjusts and you don't it's over. Floyd took a few of Zab's weapons away, timed him, smothered him, and was able to outthink him from round 5 forward. Zab just got frustrated because he was getting beat so bad and couldn't come up with another strategy on the fly to fool Floyd.

It take more than just speed to beat Floyd Mayweather. If you can catch him and get him out of there early, sure speed may work in your favor. But if he can deal with your speed and power, he will adjust and beat you. It's not only about what the opponents are doing to Floyd (oh he's fast, he's powerful), it's also what Floyd does to them. He can nullify their offense while maintaining his own. Tough to beat regardless of the other fighter's physical attributes.

Again I'm not saying I think Khna beats Floyd. The point of the thread is why I would rather watch Floyd vs Khan rather then Cotto again. And I'm a Cotto fan. But if Cotto isn't fighting Canelo he should fight GGG.