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Judah v. Malignaggi: A Fight for Brooklyn Bragging Rights

Today, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, hosted a press conference to introduce the fight card for the Battle of Brooklyn scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2013.

At the top of the card and on stage were two of the borough's favorite sons, former Five-Time, Two-Division World Champion Zab "Super" Judah and former Two-Time, Two-Division World Champion Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi.

"I am happy to be back fighting in front of my hometown crowd," said Judah, who is from Brownsville. "Paulie and I have known each other for a long time and we have a mutual respect for each other, but with this fight on Dec. 7 it is going to be like the ancient Roman days. There has to be a leader and that position belongs to me."

"I have always admired Zab's skills and his resume speaks for itself," said Malignaggi, a native of Bensonhurst. "But this is the 'Battle of Brooklyn' and winning this fight is worth more than any world title."

"Judah vs. Malignaggi promises to be a high intensity chess match between two master boxers," said Vice President of Super Judah Promotions Bill Halkias. "This fight is not only special to Brooklyn boxing fans, but also a highly anticipated fight for boxing fans in general. Who wouldn't want to see two highly skilled and experienced world champion boxers go at it for the right to be crowned 'The King of Brooklyn'? I believe Dec. 7 will be a night to remember."

"Judah vs. Malignaggi promises to be a high intensity chess match between two master boxers," said Vice President of Super Judah Promotions Bill Halkias. "This fight is not only special to Brooklyn boxing fans, but also a highly anticipated fight for boxing fans in general. Who wouldn't want to see two highly skilled and experienced world champion boxers go at it for the right to be crowned 'The King of Brooklyn'? I believe Dec. 7 will be a night to remember."

"We've hosted some great fights at Barclays Center in our first year, but this one is different – this fight is about two Brooklyn-born-and-raised fighters proudly representing their respective neighborhoods," said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. "Paulie and Zab are pros at captivating audiences with their big personalities and boxing skills. We are delighted that they will once again step into Brooklyn's most celebrated ring for what is sure to be another memorable night of boxing at Barclays Center."

"Highly competitive, hard-fought, exciting fights have been the hallmark of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING all year long, and the December 7 card is no different," said Stephen Espinoza, EVP and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. "If you want tune-ups, appearance fights or mismatches, then look elsewhere. But if you're looking for evenly matched, meaningful fights featuring four of the most skilled boxers in any division, then the December 7 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a can't-miss."

The Judah vs. Malignaggi 12-round welterweight fight will take place on December 7, 2013 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

The preliminary co-featured bout, Erislandy Lara vs. Austin "No Doubt" Trout will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME also on December 7, 2013 at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Did we mention that the fight is on December 7?

 

  • Published in Boxing

Boxing, Mob Wives, Jason Kidd, and Love and the Small Print

VIDEO: Jason Kidd, Bernard Hopkins, The Mob Wives and more

This episode of What's The 411 features:

• Boxer Zab Judah (Interviewed by Andrew Rosario)
• Boxer Bernard Hopkins (Interviewed by Andrew Rosario)
DJ Enuff (Interviewed by Andrew Rosario)
Jason Kidd Press Conference (Interviewed by Andrew Rosario)
Ramona Rizzo, Mob Wives (Interviewed by Barbara Bullard)
Love Majewski, Mob Wives (Interviewed by Barbara Bullard)
Penny Karagiogis, Celebrity Hairstylist (Interviewed by Barbara Bullard)
• Filmmakers Ramfis Myrthil and Adam Lawrence; Love and the Small Print (interviewed T.A. Moreland)
• Throwback Interview: 90s R&B Duo Terri & Monica (Interviewed by Amelia Moore)

This episode is hosted by Kizzy Cox and Crystal Henderson.

The script was written by Donna Leslie and Ramona Miles.

Boxer Zab Judah Number One in the World and Itching for a Fight

What's The 411's Andrew Rosario was bizzeee at the Garcia v. Morales fight at the Barclays Center on Saturday, October 20, 2012.
Wow, this was boxing in Brooklyn, baby! The first time in more than 80 years! And, on this night, there were so many people to talk to about boxing. Seeing Zab "Super" Judah, Andrew excitedly greets him.

"What would boxing be in Brooklyn without Zab Judah, man, how you doing?! What do you think of the whole night, what's going?"

"I call this a soft opening right now, because a hard opening is going to be when Super Judah steps in there," Judah replies.

"But, so far tonight, it has been a great night of boxing, it is great to see the people come out tonight, and to have a place for Brooklyn to have boxing now," Judah continued.

Judah is expecting to fight Lamont Peterson as soon as Peterson signs the contract, which Judah hopes to be soon.

Although Judah is excited about boxing in Brooklyn, it will not be a dream come true for him until he gets the opportunity to step his feet into the ring.

So what will Super Judah's emotions be like when he finally steps into the ring?

It is hard to tell, but Judah said without hesitation, "I'm going to be turned up."

 

 WATCH ZAB JUDAH VIDEO INTERVIEW

  • Published in Boxing

Revenge and Reputation for Cotto and Margarito

New York, NY - The most anticipated rematch in recent years will take place December 3rd at Madison Square Garden when WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Miguel Cotto (36-2, 29 KO's) defends his title against 3 time World Champion Antonio Margarito (38-7 27 KO's). When they faced each other for the first time in July of 2008, both fighters had been at the top of their games and dominating their divisions. Cotto was undefeated coming off impressive, convincing wins over Zab Judah, Sugar Shane Mosley and Alfonso Gomez. Margarito rebounded after losing the WBO World Title in a unanimous decision to Paul Williams. He captured the vacant WBO Intercontinental World Title by knocking down Golden Johnson 3 times in the first round on the under-card of Cotto/Mosley, setting up the IBF Welterweight World Title against Kermit Cintron. Margarito stopped Cintron in the 6th round thus setting up the fight with Cotto.

No one thought the outcome of their fight would have lasting effects on both fighters. Neither have been the same since. Cotto had established himself as a fighter who could not only take a punch, but could inflict damage as well. He showed that he could adjust to his opponent, evidenced by how he out jabbed Mosley the entire fight. Even though many questioned Margarito's chin, his relentless style and punching power was something to watch.

The fight turned out to be one of the most action packed fights of 2008 with Cotto taking the early rounds. Margarito's patience paid off as he pressed Cotto with powerful right uppercuts sending Cotto to the canvas twice in the 11th round. Cotto's corner would throw in the towel as a bloodied and swollen Cotto would lose for the first time in his career.

Thinking and hoping that win would catapult Margarito to the next level, he faced Mosley in what would be the start of controversy regarding the wrapping of Margarito's gloves. Prior to the fight, members of Mosely's team discovered Margarito's gloves were wrapped with illegal substances. No one knows if that gave Mosely added incentive, but Mosely went on to knock Margarito down in the 8th round and ended the fight in the 9th on a TKO. Cotto went on to win 4 of his 5 next fights but just as Margarito took a beating against Mosely, they both took a beating against Manny Pacquiao.

Both fighters attended the press conference last month at the Edison Ballroom in midtown and the focus of the questions were about the first fight and whether or not the outcome had to do with Margarito's gloves possibly being doctored. Said Cotto, "the only people that can tell you if they use it (illegal wraps) that is him and the people on his team." Cotto refused to use that as a possible excuse for his loss but at one point, he showed a picture on his i-phone. One that was very revealing. In it, clear as day, is a picture of Margarito's hand without the glove on. The wrapping appears worn and chipped across parts of the knuckles. Cotto was incredulous in describing the picture as it was shown to the media. "I'm a boxer and I have never seen broken gauze broken like that. You don't have tape over your knuckles."

Antonio Margarito has always maintained his innocence going back as far as the first match with Cotto. After the revelations came to light in the Mosely match, he was suspended for 1 year by the California State Athletic Commission. He claims to this day that he had no knowledge that the substance his trainer was using was illegal. The trainer, Javier Capetillo, took the blame claiming Margarito had nothing to do with what the gloves were wrapped with. Still, the damage had been done and many questioned Margarito's victories after the Cotto fight, especially after getting hammered by both Mosely and Pacquiao.

"The people have the right to their opinions but I know that I am a clean fighter," he said. When asked if he took this fight to prove that his gloves were not tainted, he said, "not at all. This is a great fight for the fans. This is an opportunity for myself to become world champion again."

Miguel Cotto has never seen the first fight against Antonio Margarito in its entirety. He plans to sit down and watch the fight during his training camp in order not to make the same mistakes. He never used the fact that Margarito's gloves may have been doctored as an excuse for losing the fight. "I never said anything about it. I just accept my defeat as a true defeat."

Antonio Margarito admitted that the beating he took at the hands of Pacquiao was the worst of his career. "He fractured my eye socket, he was the cause of me having me to stay out such a long time. I had to have surgery on my orbital bone." Still, he believes he can win another championship. "I've had some time off. I've been back in the gym. I feel mentally strong and physically strong."

Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito were at the top of their boxing games when they met 3 years ago. No one could have ever imagined the paths their careers would take after the outcome of that fight on that July night. One is fighting for revenge and the other is fighting for his reputation.

 

  • Published in Boxing
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