Judah: Floyd work ethic as great as Pacman

HOLLYWOOD—Take it from five-time world champion Zab Judah—Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s work ethic is as great as that of his adversary Manny Pacquiao.

Judah, tapped by Mayweather to be one of his sparring partners for his May 2 showdown with Pacquiao, told the Inquirer Tuesday that his former tormentor sometimes trains up to six hours in their preparation for the welterweight crown unification bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“He’s super sharp,” said Judah, a lefty who lost to Mayweather by unanimous decision in their showdown for the International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization welterweight crown in 2006. “The best fighter.”

Now 37, Judah believes Mayweather will beat Pacquiao, with the possibility of scoring a knockout in the later stages, through his “sharpness and explosiveness.”

Already acclaimed as one of the sport’s brainiest fighter, Mayweather has become even smarter through the years, according to Judah (42 wins and 9 losses with  29 knockouts).

“He’s a great thinker and his defense is great,” said Judah. “It will be difficult for Pacquiao to penetrate it.”

Working out with Mayweather the past two months, Judah claimed that the unbeaten five-division world champion stands out because of his ability to adjust to an opponent’s style, enabling him to conquer his first 47 opponents.

Granting that the Filipino icon pulls off a surprise, however, Judah is thankful that the two best fighters of this generation finally met.

“It’s great for boxing,” said Judah.