Cotto discards Judah’s trash talk

Zab Judah's threats have Miguel Cotto chuckling, not trembling.

Judah, the former undisputed welterweight champion, will face Cotto for the WBA title June 9 at Madison Square Garden. At a news conference Tuesday to promote the fight, Judah swore he would knock down and defeat the Puerto Rico native, then serve as grand marshal of New York's Puerto Rican Day parade the next morning.

It was big talk coming from a man who will enter the ring having not won a fight in more than two years.

Cotto, clearly, wasn't impressed or intimidated.

"He picked the wrong guy if he thinks he's doing that," Cotto said by telephone from New York. "I don't know if Zab Judah really believes that himself. But even if he does believe it, that's OK. It's still not going to happen."

Cotto, who has looked sensational since moving to welterweight from super lightweight last year, conceded Judah is among the most skilled boxers he has faced. But he also pointed out Judah's history of fast starts and early fades.

Cotto said he'll work hard to the body to try to slow Judah. He shunned comparisons between this fight and his bout last June in New York with Paulie Malignaggi, who, like Judah, is quick and elusive.

"Zab Judah has his own style," Cotto said. "I have to prepare for him as a (southpaw) and a skilled boxer, but in the end, the result will be the same."

• CHAMBERS EAGER -- Heavyweight Eddie Chambers will put his 28-0 record to the test against perennial gatekeeper Dominick Guinn on May 4 at the Palms. Guinn, once a highly touted and rising prospect, has been rendered something of a measuring stick after a series of losses.

Chambers, who hasn't faced any ranked opponents, said he understands the skeptics who look at his record and aren't convinced, but he thinks he'll win over some converts with this fight.

"I fought guys who in the past were something but weren't at the level they once were," Chambers said. "But those are the fights that you gain experience in and learn what it's about to be a pro at this level.

"And those are the fights you need to win to push yourself to the next level. I'm not saying Guinn is on the downside of his career, but he hasn't been looking like he used to. He knows this will be an important fight for him, and I expect him to come at me like it's his last chance, so I have to be ready."

Chambers, who at 6 feet 1 inch and 215 pounds is relatively small for a modern heavyweight, concedes Guinn has some advantages over him. But he said that's what will make a win more significant.

Guinn (28-4-1, 19 knockouts) is 4-4-1 in his last nine outings but still has the jab and power that once made him one of the most promising prospects in the division.

"You can say it's a fight I should win, but I'd rather say it's a fight I will win," the soft-spoken Chambers said. "I have a lot of respect for him and I know he's coming to fight. If I can win this fight, against a desperate Dominick Guinn, then I think that has to put me in the mix to fight the people you need to fight to get a (title) shot."

• SAY WHAT? -- There is no love lost between the Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. camps as they prepare for a blockbuster showdown for the WBC super welterweight title May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden.

On a conference call with reporters Wednesday, De La Hoya trainer Freddie Roach was answering questions when the operator identified the next questioner.

He was identified as one of the publicists, but it turned out to be Roger Mayweather, Mayweather Jr.'s uncle and trainer.

Posing as the publicist, Roger Mayweather asked Roach for De La Hoya's game plan but was mumbling a bit when he spoke.

"Ask that again in English, please," Roach said.

• IMPROVEMENT -- At 31-0 with 15 knockouts, WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz has surpassed what many thought possible when he began his career.

Trainer Ronnie Shields, who has handled Diaz since his pro debut at age 16 in 2000, said he was a talented but one-dimensional fighter who had scant power and little in his arsenal except a body attack back then.

Diaz, now 23, fights WBO champion Acelino Freitas (38-1, 32 KOs) on Saturday on HBO and is developing into one of the game's most complete fighters.

"He was a guy who always put a lot of pressure on you and always dug deep and just went to the body," Shields said. "Then I told him his career would really last a lot longer if he added the jab to it, and he did add the jab, a good jab.

"Now, he's getting a lot stronger. He's a lot stronger than he was, even a year ago. ... I can feel more power when I'm doing the mitts with him. He is much stronger than he was a year ago."

• NO IMPACT -- Freitas has had just one fight in the last year, a boring decision win over Zahir Raheem on April 29, 2006. His only fight in 2005 was a first-round knockout of Fabian Salazar, so he hasn't been active heading into the unification fight.

His trainer, Oscar Suarez, said although Freitas hadn't boxed, he was in the gym constantly in his native Brazil.

Shields said the time off may benefit Freitas, 31, who took a fearsome beating from Diego Corrales in 2004.

• TIDBITS -- The David Diaz-Erik Morales fight for the WBC lightweight title will be in Chicago in August. ... Look for Antonio Tarver to fight Elvir Muriqi on Showtime on June 9 in a bout that may set up a title fight against unbeaten WBC champion Chad Dawson. ... Floyd Mayweather Sr. has added another champion to his stable, taking over as chief trainer for WBO super featherweight champion Joan Guzman. Guzman faces Michael Katsidis on May 26 in Anaheim, Calif. Also on that card is highly regarded prospect Jorge Linares, who meets Oscar Larios for the vacant WBC featherweight title.