Blood  oozed out of the mouth of Miguel Cotto and from the right eye of Zab Judah. Sweat poured from each man's face with the consistency of a Nolan Ryan fastball. Tears of joy will be shed at the Puerto Rican Day Parade for one man. Another man left with tears of a all to-familiar taste.


Many boxers use the cliche'; even fewer live up to it. June 9th, 2007 was a night that saw Miguel Cotto grow into a man with each combination he landed to the head and body of Zab Judah. It was also a night that gave Zab Judah plenty of chances to capitalize and he failed to do so. But with that said, it was all-in-all a night that boxing needed. In a month of nothing but Ultimate Fighting and MMA headlines, Zab Judah and Miguel Cotto proved that while boxing isn't living in the Golden Era, there's still plenty of stars that can shine.


And shine on Miguel Cotto did. But not without the best reciepe for a good fight -- controversy. One low blow and one very low blow haulted Zab Judah from capitalizing on a vicious left uppercut combination that stunned the Puerto Rican icon only minutes into the fight. Cotto and hi followers plead it accidental but anyone from Brooklyn sees it as a veteran move used by a young fighter to keep himself in the biggest fight of his life.


Call it as you wish. Zab Judah still had chances to land the left hand early on in the fight. As he has done in the past Judah went back to his corner round after round and listened to his father, Yoel, scream at him to "let your hands go," and "throw more punches." It is almost as if Yoel Judah repeats himself each and every fight that Zab Judah doesn't win and still, somehow, Zab Judah doesn't listen.


Miguel Cotto listened to his uncle. He dug to the body. He came up top with vicious intent. He pressed the action. He hurt Zab Judah on a number of occassions. By the start of the 7th round Judah was wearing down, throwing that left uppercut once -- maybe twice, a round. The flash was gone. His legs were absent. But as always, Judah's mouth continued to run. He beat his chest to proclaim that he had heart -- anyone who doubted this shall doubt no longer.


Judah came out of the gate early in his career with all the potential in the world. He still has the talent. He proved that he has the grit to take the best shots from a young and hungry lion but lacks the ability to stay effective when the waters get deep. With that being said, Zab Judah took a sympathetic role into the dressing room afterwards and perhaps delivered his best performance to date.


After such an event where do both these guys go? It seems as the inevitable that Cotto will move forward to face Antonio Margarito should he get by Paul Williams. And lets not kid ourselves here folks, he will. Floyd Mayweather's name is probably the one that generates the most money and the biggest event of the year. But can boxing afford to pay Mayweather the 15 million or so that he'd ask for a fight with Cotto? That is doubtful and a shame for boxing, because once again money will probably knock out one of the biggest fights in some time.
Judah, on the other hand, could possibly find a fight with Shane Mosely in the future. Both guys are considered not to be top contenders much anymore and what about their personalities? The Brooklyn kid versus Mr. and Mrs. Mosely? Even if the fight stunk the promotion would be well worth it. Or perhaps Judah needs to take some time to fight the George Foreman way. Just go in to the ring as often as possible and get your confidence back because for some reason Judah doesn't believe in his power. If he did, he would have thrown more shots early on.

Will The Real Pacman please stand up?
No disrespect to Bobby, but the wolrd needs to see Manny Pacquaio give Humberto Soto his shot at a big pay day. Forget about the draw not being that strong -- this fight doesn't need to go on PPV, for god sakes, haven't boxing fans wallet's suffered enough over the years? A Soto/Pacquaio matchup is exactly what the sport needs. It is a fight that will draw new fans in because it is a promise that it will delieve the type of fireworks that will make casual fans want to see more of both guys, despite even winning or losing the bout. Boxing has a real chance to get something right.  But actions speak louder than words, and quite frankly, we tend to know how that goes.

M

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