Report: Mayweather KO’d in sparring

MANILA, Philippines – A sports website claims Floyd Mayweather was knocked out in sparring by former world champion Zab Judah.

Citing an unnamed source, allsports.com.gh reported that Judah floored Mayweather with a body shot while sparring at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas. The undefeated fighter was reportedly down for more than 10 seconds.

"Zab hit Mayweather with a good shot, a left hook to the body, and he went down," said the source, who witnessed the session but requested anonymity.

If true, it could be a cause for concern leading to Mayweather’s May 2 showdown with Manny Pacquiao, who is faster and deadlier than the faded Judah. Aside from being unbeaten in 47 fights, the Las Vegas-based Mayweather has never been knocked down.

The report of Mayweather going down came just a few days after it was chronicled that he was actually beating up Judah in sparring.

“To my knowledge Money has never gone down ever. Not in sparring, or in the ring,” the source added.

Mayweather has tapped Judah to be one of his sparring partners in preparation for the Pacquiao bout, primarily because of his speed and southpaw stance. The two boxers actually fought before, with Mayweather fashioning out a unanimous decision win.

But Judah had his moments against Mayweather in that 2006 fight, tagging him with some straight lefts and giving him trouble for the first half of the match.

Now, it appears that Judah is again giving Mayweather a run for his money.

Meanwhile, Mayweather, according to the source, made a good account of himself after the knockdown.

"It's not unusual for a boxer to get hit hard in training and go down. And Floyd responded well. When he got up, he finished the session,” the source continued.

"And he beat Zab to a bloody pulp. However, he was down for more than a 10 count so technically he was knocked out." - Dino Maragay