Trainer Roger Mayweather had his licence revoked and was fined $200 000 on Thursday for stepping into the ring and triggering a brawl during last weekend’s IBF welterweight title fight between his nephew, Floyd Mayweather Jr, and Zab Judah.
The Nevada Athletic Commission hit Roger Mayweather with the suspension and the maximum financial penalty — his share of the $5-million purse awarded to his nephew for his win.
The trainer, a former 63kg champion known as the Black Mamba in his fighting days, entered the ring in the last seconds of the 10th round after his nephew was caught by a low blow and then a punch to the back of the head. Referee Richard Steele restrained him, but both camps surged into the ring.
Debris rained down from the fans as officials tried to restore order.
”It took courage to come before us today,” commission chairperson Skip Avansino said. ”But I also acknowledge your egregious behavior, which really incited and started the entire melee on Saturday night.”
Afterward, Roger Mayweather said he was disappointed and would try to appeal, which entails taking his complaint to a state district court. After a year he can apply to have his licence reinstated.
”When I went into the ring, the round was over, at least I thought the round was over,” he said. ”I never attacked the fighter. I never put my hands up to the fighter, I never did anything. The fighter attacked me.”
The commission also released the remaining $1-million of the $5-million purse due Floyd Mayweather Jr, which it had withheld after the fight. Avansino released $4-million of the purse on Tuesday after tapes showed Floyd Mayweather Jr stayed in a neutral corner throughout the brawl.
The commission also decided to continue to withhold Judah’s $250 000 guaranteed purse while it considers disciplining him for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Commission staff will look at three incidents, according to incoming executive director Keith Kizer: The punch to the back of Mayweather’s head; Judah leaving a neutral corner and pushing through two inspectors during the brawl; and Judah hitting Mayweather cornerman Leonard Ellerbe to the back of the head.
Steele had ruled earlier that the low blow was unintentional.
After the melee calmed and the ring was cleared, Steele continued the fight and Mayweather (36-0) went on to win a unanimous decision and was crowned champion.
The commission also is considering disciplining Ellerbe and Judah’s father, Yoel Judah, who entered the ring and hit Roger Mayweather, Kizer said.
But the fight’s result will not change, Kizer added.
Judah (34-4) is a former welterweight champion who was fined $75 000 and suspended six months by the Nevada commission in November 2001 for throwing a stool and putting a glove to a referee’s chin after losing a fight.
Judah said it was unfair that Mayweather was allowed to collect his purse while he wasn’t.
”I think it’s crazy. I mean how can you make a decision on one part and not the other?” he said. ”That’s not fair. Today, we came to get some order and we got nothing.” – Sapa-AP