Judah loses, will still fight Mayweather

Fast, flashy boxers reportedly set to battle April 8 in Las Vegas

	Junior welterweight champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., right, will reportedly take on Zab Judah on April 8 in Las Vegas.
Al Bello / Getty Images

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updated 3:30 p.m. ET Jan. 23, 2006

LAS VEGAS - Despite Zab Judah's shocking defeat last week at the hands of little-known Carlos Baldomir for the welterweight championship, a high-profile fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. appears to still be in the plans, reports ESPN.com.

Regardless of Judah's loss, he and Mayweather (35-0, 24 KOs) will meet in Las Vegas for a 12-round bout on April 8 at the Thomas & Mack Center, Mayweather promoter Bob Arum and Judah promoter Don King told ESPN.com on Friday.

"We've reworked our deals but the fight will still go on," Arum told ESPN.com. "There are a lot of people who want to see the fight even though Judah lost. Is it as big as it was had Judah not lost? Probably not. Can it still be an exciting event for boxing fans? Sure."

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Once close friends, Mayweather and Judah (34-3, 25 KOs) have traded barbs over the past few months. Before Judah's loss, the fight looked to be one of the biggest bouts of the year.

A news conference is planned for Feb. 1 in New York, Arum said.

Arum and King, longtime business rivals, have reworked their deal, both confirmed to ESPN.com. Arum also said he and Mayweather worked out a new deal.

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King and Judah have yet to agree to terms. However, Judah has few options after his loss, and none are as lucrative as a fight with Mayweather.

"Don't worry about that. Me and Zab are together. The fight will happen," King said.

On Jan. 7, Baldomir won a unanimous decision against an obviously unprepared Judah in New York.

Mayweather, a junior welterweight champ, had been scheduled to earn at least $6 million to face Judah while the Judah was to earn at least $3 million. However, with Judah losing, the deal has changed. Mayweather will earn $5 million while the Judah will be guaranteed $1 million.