IBF could order Zab Judah vs Victor Ortiz if Mabuza bails

An interesting situation is brewing with the vacant IBF junior welterweight title. Last Thursday, Main Events won a scheduled purse bid at the IBF's headquarters in New Jersey, for the right to stage a fight between Zab Judah and Kaizer Mabuza of South Africa. The two boxers will battle for the organization's vacant 140-pound title.

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events and promoter of Judah, place in a winning bid of $50,000. Mabuza's promoter Branco Milenkovic, of South Africa, put in a bid but it was disqualified by the IBF. According to the IBF rules, all bids have to be delivered personally or by courier. Milenkovic's travel plans were cut short when a winter storm crippled the East Coast and most of the surrounding airports were shut down.

According to Branco, his bid was more than double of the $50,000 placed in by Main Events. He placed in his bid by email, which the IBF threw out in accordance to their rule book.

There are heavy rumors going around that Mabuza will not accept the fight because of his unhappiness with the way the purse bid played out. If Mabuza walks away, the IBF would likely order Judah to face Victor Ortiz, the next available contender. Mabuza has until January 14 to sign a contract.

Eric Gomez, head matchmaker at Golden Boy Promotions, has heard the rumors regarding Mabuza's possible withdrawal from the fight. In light of those rumors, Golden Boy is keeping Ortiz available until the Judah-Mabuza situation plays out.

"Mabuza has until January 14th to sign a contract. There is a possibility that Mabuza will not come over to fight Zab Judah for the vacant title. If for whatever reason Mabuza doesn't take the fight with Judah, then the next guy in line is Victor Ortiz. We're going to wait that out and see what happens there. We can do Victor and Zab Judah for the vacant title and that's something that we're interested in," Gomez told BoxingScene.com

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=34448

either fight duva got herself the bargin of the year.im happy for her.

dmar5143 wrote:either fight duva got herself the bargin of the year.im happy for her.

+1

But I dont know if Ortiz/GBP fights for a share of 50k

Mabuza should take the fight. He can win it and it would put him in big fight contention. He probably won't get another shot at TV exposure and hype like this anytime soon, and at the very least will cause Zab all types of problems.

Mabuza should take it, but he wont. Just crazy about this IBF rule, they DQ'd double the offer because it was a bid via email LMAO!!!! these organizations right? lol

Well I guess GBP has confidence back in timid Ortiz, theyre willing to put him in with Zab. Sorry to say but Zab is a no body now. ortiz still struggles, but still wins it on the cards if it ever happens. Who the fuck is training Ortiz anyhow? whoever is, theyre fucking up his career. Ortiz has degressed since that loss to Maidana. He backs off and keeps his distance too much and its the reason he gets hit and the reason he cant pull out those KOs. Ortiz isnt going anywehere in his career.

I agree on Ortiz being the same guy, he's shown zero improvements

I really think he tunes his corner out. They are on his ass all the time and he still does nothing

Judah vs Ortiz could be one ugly asss fight, two timid fighters circling each other not firing shots

gomez1012 wrote:I agree on Ortiz being the same guy, he's shown zero improvements

I really think he tunes his corner out. They are on his ass all the time and he still does nothing

Judah vs Ortiz could be one ugly asss fight, two timid fighters circling each other not firing shots

+1, I feelyou on that last line, its going to be an ugly fight. HBO would easily go for it though. It would do good in a undercard fight (say in Khans april fight date). Ortiz needs to be put it with tough guyd that fight every second of a round. he needs tof fight someone that makes him fight!

Rios would be that guy...

Too bad that isnt happening anytime soon

Ortiz rather go to court than fight Rios

Mas puto que la chingada!

gomez1012 wrote:Rios would be that guy...

Too bad that isnt happening anytime soon

Ortiz rather go to court than fight Rios

Mas puto que la chingada!

I suspect both guys dont want it. Ortiz would rather go to court, but the only way Rios would ever fight him is if they pay him big like he already stated. Rios knows he cant take Ortiz, and Ortiz is just scared of getting into a fight. Rios is sooo fucking overrated. Shit theres 5 fighters at LW that would beat his ass, same for Ortiz at Jr WW.

At least Rios is getting brought along the right way

His fight in February should be good vs Acosta for a strap

gomez1012 wrote:At least Rios is getting brought along the right way

His fight in February should be good vs Acosta for a strap

very true, Rios is at least entertainig. I just think both of them are overrated and a match between them is sooo overrated. I just want to see Soto0Rios this summer, it would be a FOTY type of match up. Rios is much better than Antillon IMO.

yea, I was high on Antillon when he was coming up, but man, didnt show anything besides marching forward throwing bombs

I have no problem with Mabuza declining a disgraceful 50k purse, a fight for a trinket should be at least six figures.

If the IBF order the Ortiz fight I don't think it'll be for the same purse, they'll give both promoters time to make a deal.

Better thing about that fight is it's got a far better chance of being televised.

Looks like it's on.

@danrafaelespn Kathy Duva from Main Events told me that @superjudah-Mabuza is close to being finalized. Will be March 5 in Newark at the Prudential Center

"I know the money is insignificant, but Mabuza will be going," Milenkovic said. "His best performances were outside the country. Mabuza will go. It will be difficult to fight in Judah's backyard, but it's a big opportunity. Fights like this you got to take. Sometimes there is money, sometimes there isn't. But if he beats Judah it puts him on the map for the bigger money fights."

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=5997320

Right on.