It has been nearly two decades since Zab Judah and Floyd Mayweather shared the ring.

While the bout was one of the rare occasions where ‘Money’ appeared somewhat vulnerable, it is remembered more for its controversies than the action itself. Now, the fight has resurfaced in the public conversation following a recent podcast appearance.

Veteran referee Kenny Bayless—who has officiated several of Mayweather’s bouts—recently appeared on the Ring Champs with Ak & Barak podcast. Joined by host Andre Ward and legendary former champion Roy Jones Jr., Bayless revisited the key incidents from the fight, comments that ultimately prompted a response from Judah.

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The truth of the Floyd Mayweather fight comes out 20 years later

During the fight, Zab Judah began the fight aggressively, outboxing Floyd Mayweather early and appearing to score a knockdown in round two, though it was ruled a slip by the referee. As the bout wore on, Mayweather seized control, dominating the later rounds and leaving Judah bloodied. The fight’s defining moment, however, came late in round 10.

A frustrated Judah landed a deliberate low blow followed by an illegal rabbit punch, sending Mayweather to the canvas and forcing the referee, Richard Steele, to halt the action. This prompted Floyd’s uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, to storm the ring to confront Judah, sparking a massive in-ring brawl involving both camps.

“Do you know what the rules say in that case?” Bayless asked, referencing that moment. “Disqualification right in that situation.” However, he highlighted that Steele had to use his judgment and didn’t stop the fight from moving forward. “Richard Steele had to use judgment cuz if he [had] stopped that fight, that place would have [gone] crazy,” Bayless said.

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“It would have been a nightmare… And Floyd went on to beat Zab,” he concluded during the podcast. Judah later shared this statement from Bayless on Instagram, admitting, “20 years later now the truth.” Regardless, in the aftermath of the fight, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) heavily fined and suspended the people involved.

Some people had argued that Mayweather should have been disqualified because his team invaded the ring. However, the commission didn’t disqualify or strip Mayweather of the win. Regardless, this isn’t the first time Judah has spoken about that chaotic night.

Zab Judah claimed Roger choked him unconscious

Last year in November, Judah said the chaos in the 10th round completely altered the fight against Mayweather. “The fight should have been stopped right there,” Judah explained. “I was choked out in the corner. People don’t know.” According to Judah, when he rushed toward Roger Mayweather during the melee, Roger “got under me, and he was choking me,” while security pinned Judah’s arms against the ropes.

“He choked me until I kind of, like, passed out,” Judah added, insisting the incident warranted disqualification. “We all know if it was the other way around… that would have been automatic disqualification, 100 per cent.” Judah also defended his father’s actions, saying, “They was trying to jump my pops,” and describing the moment as “real life, real emotion, real people.”

Floyd Mayweather may have won the fight, but fans remember the night when Floyd Mayweather was handed his first loss, at least, he should have been. But what did you make of the fight?

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Floyd Mayweather Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If He Will Ever Return To Professional Boxing

Eight years on from his retirement from professional boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr has shared an update on whether he sees himself making a return to the sport he once dominated.

The Michigan-native is widely considered to be one of, if not the greatest fighter to have ever laced up a pair of gloves, winning world titles across five weight classes during his accomplished tenure.

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He produced a number of legacy-defining victories along the way, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya. Miguel Cotto, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao to name just a few.

His 2015 victory over Pacquiao, which was dubbed as the ‘Fight Of The Century’, saw him establish himself as arguably the best fighter of his entire generation, although the fight itself failed to live up to its expectations.

Mayweather called time on his professional career after he beat MMA legend Conor McGregor back in August 2017, but the 48-year-old has participated in a number of exhibition bouts since then.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, ‘Money’ Mayweather was asked if he would consider making a return to the professional side of the sport in the near future.

“It’s on the [table]. It’s been talks. It’s been talks, it’s possible … We just don’t know, but as of right now everything is going great. I feel good, working hard each and every day, and I can’t wait for 2026.”

It has been reported that Mayweather will lock horns with former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in an exhibition clash next year, although an official announcement is yet to be made.

Should a potential match-up with Tyson fall through, Mayweather could be tempted into a rematch with former rival Pacquiao, after it was revealed that both fighters are interested in facing each other once again.

Floyd Mayweather retired undefeated and wealthier than any boxer in history. Even so, he has since acknowledged that he stayed active longer than necessary.

For many fighters, knowing when to walk away is the hardest decision in boxing. For Mayweather, the line between competitive ambition and commercial opportunity blurred — and he chose to keep going and delay retirement.

When the Money Never Stops Calling
By the time Mayweather faced Conor McGregor in 2017, the boxing icon’s legacy was already secure. He had proven his greatness at 50-0 across multiple divisions, dominated an era, and rewritten boxing’s financial ceiling.

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Following that, Mayweather continued fighting beyond his competitive peak.

Exhibition bouts, overseas appearances, and carefully managed events extended his career beyond its competitive peak. The risk was controlled, but the motivation shifted from legacy to opportunity.

Mayweather has since acknowledged that walking away earlier would have benefited his body, even if it meant leaving money behind.

The Cost of Staying Too Long
Unlike fighters who linger in pursuit of relevance or redemption, Mayweather stayed because the business model continued to reward him.

That distinction matters.

But extended careers — even controlled ones — come with a cost. The clarity of a fighter’s exit fades. The final image becomes less definitive. The conversation shifts from achievement to endurance.

Greatness is not erased; the ending simply becomes less clean.

Legacy Versus Longevity
Boxing history is filled with champions who struggled to let go. Some stayed chasing validation. Others stayed chasing closure.

Mayweather stayed because opportunity never stopped presenting itself.

He did not suffer a competitive decline. He did not tarnish his record. But the longer he remained active, the further his career drifted from the moment when walking away would have felt complete.

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Why Timing Shapes the Story
How a fighter exits often defines how a career is discussed in hindsight.

A clean departure brings resolution. A prolonged one invites reassessment.

Mayweather remains one of the greatest defensive fighters boxing has produced. Yet his extended post-prime years shifted attention from competitive excellence to financial spectacle — a trade-off that now forms part of his legacy.

There could also be one more stage to come in the form of a Manny Pacquiao rematch, for which WBN reported exclusive details.

The Lesson Modern Fighters Are Watching
Today’s elite fighters are increasingly aware of how exits are judged. The conversation has evolved.

Walking away at the right moment is no longer viewed as quitting, but as control.

Mayweather proved that a fighter can earn everything imaginable. His later reflections suggest that even unlimited success does not remove the importance of timing