McCarter puts pride on line in headline bout

For Layla McCarter, it's all about the belts.

McCarter, 28, is proud of the fact she's a four-time women's world lightweight champion. She's even prouder of the fact that she never has been knocked down in her 46 fights.

She has no intention of seeing that streak end Friday when she headlines the Crown Boxing card at The Orleans in a rematch against Dominga Olivo.

"I'd rather die than go down," McCarter said. "It's a matter of pride for me."

McCarter (28-13-5, six knockouts) and Olivo (5-2-1) fought in June in Colorado, with McCarter winning an eight-round majority decision.

"It was an ugly fight," McCarter said. "She was kind of wild, and I wasn't prepared for her style. Now that I know what to expect, I'll be ready for her."

McCarter said she wants to get through Friday's fight with as few problems as possible. She's scheduled to get back in the ring March 28 when she puts her WBA lightweight title on the line against Jelena Mrdjenovich in Edmonton, Alberta. The two have fought twice before, each winning by unanimous decision.

"I need to stay busy, and I want to defend the (WBA) belt," McCarter said.

Actually, McCarter has been busy. She is pursuing an associate's degree in criminal justice at the College of Southern Nevada. She carries a 3.95 grade-point average and is one class from her degree. She is leaning toward getting a bachelor's degree because she wants to have something to fall back on after she's done with boxing.

"I want to keep fighting until I'm in my mid-30s," she said. "But I also want to be prepared for my life after boxing."

McCarter said headlining the Orleans card, which includes former UNLV basketball standout Kaspars Kambala on the undercard, is a responsibility she takes seriously.

"You always want to give the fans a good show," McCarter said. "But when you're in the main event, that's special. You want to be at your best."

The vacant Global Boxing Union's Intercontinental title is on the line Friday. That will give McCarter added incentive.

"Any belt you can win means a lot," she said. "But the fact is, I'm a competitor. I want to win, whether there's a title at stake or not."

• JUDAH HIRES MAYWEATHER -- Given Zab Judah's history with the Mayweather family, it might seem surprising that he would bring a Mayweather into his camp. But boxing is full of ironies, and Judah's decision to bring Floyd Mayweather Sr. in as an assistant trainer for his May 17 fight with Shane Mosley is ironic on several levels.

For starters, Floyd Sr. has had a major falling out with his son, world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. Also, Floyd Sr. doesn't speak to his brother, Roger, who is Floyd Jr.'s lead trainer.

When Judah and Mayweather fought in 2006, Roger Mayweather jumped into the ring in the 10th round after Judah hit Floyd Jr. with a couple of low blows. That prompted Yoel Judah, Zab's father and trainer, to come to his son's defense.

A melee ensued, and both trainers were fined and suspended. On Monday, Zab Judah paid his father's $100,000 fine to the Nevada Athletic Commission, paving the way for Yoel Judah to work his son's corner against Mosley.

"He's a great trainer, and I want to use his expertise," Judah said of his decision to hire Floyd Sr.

One other irony: Floyd Sr. has had a relationship with Oscar De La Hoya, who owns Golden Boy Promotions, the company for which Mosley fights. He'll be in De La Hoya's corner on May 3 when the Golden Boy fights Steve Forbes at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Working Forbes' corner that night will be Roger Mayweather. That figures to create more buzz than the fight itself.

• PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ OFFICIALS -- Kenny Bayless will referee the March 15 world super featherweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Duane Ford and Jerry Roth of Las Vegas and Dick Flaherty of Massachusetts will judge the fight at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.