Ze'ev Yehuda: 'Mayweather Should Have Been Disqualified in 2006 Fight'

The Fight That Sparked Controversy

In 2006, one of the most memorable and turbulent bouts in welterweight history took place when Brooklyn boxer Ze'ev Yehuda faced undefeated world champion Floyd Mayweather. The fight was held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas and drew massive attention—not only because of the fighters’ status but also due to a dramatic turn of events that made it the talk of the boxing world.

The fight ended with a unanimous decision victory for Mayweather, but Yehuda insists the result didn’t reflect what actually happened in the ring. According to him, he won at least six rounds, including knocking Mayweather down, which should have led to a draw or even his victory. However, unexpected events during the tenth round changed everything.

Mayweather’s Coach Intervenes — An Unforgivable Disqualification

During the tenth round, at the fight’s peak, Floyd’s coach and brother, Roger Mayweather, jumped into the ring. Yehuda points out that any outside interference during a fight automatically calls for the disqualification of the fighter whose corner caused it—in this case, Mayweather. Yet, boxing politics and power dynamics in the sport protected the undefeated champion’s spotless career.

"If two men are fighting in the ring and someone jumps in, that’s an automatic disqualification," Yehuda said in an interview on Andre Ward’s podcast. He added that what truly happened in the fight should have changed the outcome, but it didn’t. Following the incident, Yehuda was suspended for a year, which made it difficult for him to demand a rematch while Mayweather climbed the rankings unchallenged.

Politics and Guaranteed Wins

Yehuda also described Mayweather’s special relationship with the Las Vegas boxing scene, where he had an exclusive contract that guaranteed him appearances but also, according to Yehuda, favorable judging decisions. "He had a modern contract where he simply couldn’t lose," Yehuda explained. "He was essentially the ring’s resident, and every decision went his way."

This contract, combined with Mayweather’s status as one of the greatest boxers in history, created a bubble around him that preserved his image as unbeatable, preventing significant rematches with Yehuda or other contenders who might have challenged him.

The Ring Chaos and Its Aftermath

The chaos began after Yehuda landed a punch that looked like it was below the belt, as well as a blow to the back of Mayweather’s head. Yehuda denied any intent to foul, noting that both fighters were exhausted at that stage of the fight. Referee Richard Steele, who officiated the bout, struggled to make a ruling in the unusual situation. "It was a heated moment; he didn’t even know what call to make," Yehuda recalled.

Since that fight, Yehuda has maintained that the result was biased and that a legitimate draw or victory was possible. He emphasizes that Mayweather avoided a rematch, likely fearing the consequences that the ring chaos that night could have caused. "They didn’t want a rematch," Yehuda concluded. "They didn’t want it to happen."

In conclusion, the fight between Ze'ev Yehuda and Floyd Mayweather remains a symbol of the political and economic complexities in boxing, where the outcome in the ring doesn’t always reflect the true story. This fight continues to spark heated debates among boxing fans in Israel and worldwide.