Commission fines, suspends Judah for part in melee

BY MIKE HOUSER

Appeal Sports Writer

The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday handed down three more suspensions and an additional $400,000 in fines to participants involved in the in-ring melee during the April 8 IBF welterweight title fight between Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah.

Marc Ratner, executive director for the NSAC, said a four-member commission panel- composed of Skip Avansino, John Bailey, Joe Brown and Tony Alamo Jr.-conducted a four-hour hearing at the State Building, in Las Vegas, before fining former titlist Judah $250,000 and suspending him for at least a year retroactive to April 8.

Yoel Judah, Joel's father and trainer, was hit with a $100,000 fine and had his cornerman's license revoked for one year and Mayweather cornerman Leonard Ellerby was fined $50,000 and had his license revoked for four months.

On April 13 Mayweather's uncle and trainer, former junior lightweight and junior welterweight titlist Roger Mayweather was fined $200,000 and suspended for at least one year for his actions in the scuffle.

Ratner said all parties could reapply for their respective licenses on April 8, 2007.

During the 10th round of their fight, Judah (34-4, with 25 knockouts) hit Mayweather, 36-0 (24), with a low blow followed by a rabbit punch. As referee Richard Steele separated the fighters, Roger Mayweather entered the ring to complain about the fouls.

Steele had the option to disqualify Floyd Mayweather because his cornerman entered the ring, but chose not to do so.

As Steele held back Roger Mayweather, Yoel Judah-a former kickboxer-entered the ring and hit Roger with a straight right hand, prompting several other members of the camps, law enforcement officials, security guards and commission members to join the fray.

Ratner said at one point Roger Mayweather choked Zab, who circled around Steele and hit Ellerby with a rabbit punch. Ellerby bulled Zab into the ropes, where another Mayweather cornerman restrained Judah with an arm around the neck.

Roger Mayweather was ejected from the arena and, after order was restored, the fight resumed and Mayweather went on to win a unanimous decision.

Both fighters had their purses withheld, but Mayweather's $5 million was returned quickly because the commission decided he had done nothing improper.

By comparison, Judah's purse was only $250,000.

Ratner said Zab Judah was punished for striking Ellerbee and failing to stay in his corner during the melee, Yoel for entering the ring and striking Mayweather, and Ellerbee for entering the ring.

Ellerbee was fined the least because he didn't do anything to escalate the situation, Ratner said.

This wasn't Judah's first run-in with the NSAC. Shortly after his November 2001 bout with Kostya Tszyu, Judah was fined $75,000 and suspended for six months after attacking referee Jay Nady.

Nady had stopped the fight after Judah was knocked down by Tszyu. Judah, who had gotten back up and fallen back down following the knockdown, attempted to choke the 6-foot-4 Nady and also threw a stool in his direction.

"It (the penalties) were commission policy and we certainly sent a message," said Ratner, who added that Judah's past actions "may have (entered) into the thinking" of commission members when they meted out their respective punishment.

Judah could not be reached for comment.