ZAB JUDAH: ON THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION

Former Jr. Welterweight and Undisputed Welterweight champion, Zab “Super” Judah, is facing his biggest challenge to date on August 2, 2008. On that date he will face #1 IBF ranked contender, Joshua Clottey for the vacant IBF welterweight title. Don’t get me wrong, Zab has faced much bigger names like Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather, and Miguel Cotto. However, on August 2nd, Judah will be facing the challenge of proving that he can rise to the occasion and once again overcome his many career setbacks. After his most recent arm injury that caused the cancellation on his planned showdown against Shane Mosley, Zab is a man on a mission that is out to achieve the former glory he once held in the Welterweight division.

Judah, a former New York Golden Gloves Champion with an excellent amateur pedigree, is coming up on 12 years as a professional. As he rose to prominence, fans and media were amazed at the speed, agility, and KO Power of Judah. From a southpaw stance, using fluid combinations and timing, Judah was able to win 21 of his first 28 fights by KO or TKO. On his way up the ranks, Judah defeated a variety of fighters including the likes of “Irish” Mickey Ward, Terron Millet and Junior Witter while eventually earning the IBF welterweight championship. In some circles, Judah was being referred to as a true throwback fighter and the next big thing in boxing. However, Judah’s career momentum came to a crashing halt on November 3, 2001.

Facing WBA and WBC Jr. Welterweight Kostya Tszyu in a unification bout, Judah was drilled by Tszyu’s signature right hand at the end of Round 2. Judah hit the canvas hard and promptly jumped up while his equilibrium was off. In doing so, he had no control over his legs and stumbled half way across the ring in an attempt to keep his balance. Referee Jay Nady immediately called and end to the fight. In the immediate aftermath, Zab shoved his gloved in Nady’s throat and even threw a ring stool at him in protest of the stoppage. The following month, Judah was fined $75,000 dollars and suspended for 6 months by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Although his reputation was damaged, Judah dusted himself off after the layoff and got back to work. In a short period of time, he was able to defeat Demarcus Corley for the WBO Jr. Welterweight belt, and earn a shot against IBF, WBA, and WBC welterweight champion Corey Spinks. In an entertaining fight, each man was able to put the other on the canvas. In the end, the judges scored it a close decision for Spinks and Judah suffered the 2nd loss of his pro career. Undeterred, a year later Judah was able to stop Spinks in a rematch via TKO and become the undisputed welterweight champion.

Now, as undisputed champ, Judah had his eyes on a big money showdown with former friend turned foe, Floyd Mayweather. As the boxing world got excited at the thought of these two facing off, Judah had one quick order of business to take care of first: An easy assignment against Journeyman Carlos Baldomir. Or so he thought. Fighting in his hometown of NYC with the Mayweather fight looming, Judah shockingly lost a 12 round decision against the unknown Baldomir. Whether Judah overlooked Baldomir or got over anxious fighting in front of his hometown crowd didn’t really matter. It now seemed certain that a potential fight with Mayweather was now off the table. However, as fate would have it, Mayweather still decided to go ahead with the fight assuming Judah just had one bad night at the office.

As they faced off, Judah gave Mayweather fits in the early rounds and even scored an unaccredited knockdown on Floyd. Eventually, Floyd would get back into the fight and use his skill to outbox Judah and land more on him as the fight went on. In the 10th round Judah landed a low blow to Floyd that prompted Floyd’s trainer, Roger Mayweather to enter the ring in anger toward Judah. Sensing his son in danger, Judah’s father, Yoel entered the ring and a melee broke out between both teams. As Floyd stood idle in a corner, Zab got involved in the melee throwing punches toward members of Floyd’s team. After the ring was cleared, and officials conversed, the fight was allowed to continue on. After the two final rounds, Floyd was declared winner by unanimous decision. For his actions during the melee, Judah was later fined $250,000.00 and had his boxing license suspended for a year. Once again, Judah found himself in the middle of controversy, and stuck on the outside of boxing looking in.

Judah used the year lay off to get himself focused. Laying low and watching the sport move on without him, Judah was preparing to come back in a big way. Near the end of Zab’s suspension, talk began that WBA welterweight champion, Miguel Cotto was interested in a fight with Judah. Cotto’s people sensed a victory over such a skilled fighter like Judah would truly stamp his arrival. Using the proposed fight as motivation, Judah got in terrific shape and faced Ruben Galvan on ESPN. Although the fight was declared a no contest due to a cut to Galvan sustained in round one, all Judah had to do was NOT LOSE the fight in order to face Cotto next. With that accomplished, Judah next faced Cotto in an action packed bout that saw Judah hurt Cotto several times early in the fight. However, Judah seemed to weaken after a pair of low blows from Cotto that were ruled accidental. Cotto then took control of the fight while punishing Judah to the body. Judah fought back bravely the whole way, but was eventually stopped via TKO in the 11th round. However, in defeat, Judah was gracious and earned a ton of respect from fight fans for leaving all he had in the ring.

Having earned back the respect of fans and media for his performance in that match, Judah now has another opportunity to fight for a title against Joshua Clottey on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. Although Judah has been on the losing end of each of his big fights, his skill, name and notoriety has still allowed him remain classified as an exciting fighter that fight fans do want to see. However, it is not certain that Judah will be given the same network opportunities if he loses his August bout against Clottey. Judah will be most probably be the favorite as he has faced the better opposition and still does posses lighting fast speed and power. That said, it is important that Judah not sleep on Clottey as he is a live fighter with great fundamental boxing ability. Clottey has fought hard to gain his number 1 contender spot, and most remember that he gave Antonio Margarito all he could handle prior to injuring his hands during their 2006 fight. Clottey has never reached the level of success Judah has attained, and is hungry to prove is as good as he has always claimed. This is his chance.

While it will be no walk in the park , a victory over Clottey could put Judah right back in the mix at welterweight. Winning would certainly break his streak of losing to notable opponents, and could push him toward the Cotto rematch he desires. Although he has suffered setbacks such as fines, suspensions, losses and injuries, Judah is still young enough to rebound and stake his claim as the fighter everyone thought he could always be. With renewed passion and vigor, Judah seems adamant about using this title fight with Clottey as a stepping stone to rebuilding his career. Although he has accomplished much, Judah still has much more to prove as he continually tries to shake the title of being an “underachiever” by most boxing critics.

In August, we could see Judah stumble, possibly receive his last big opportunity, and keep the “underachiever” title critics have given him. Or, we will see a former champion overcome the odds, prove the critics wrong and take a major step in his journey on the road to redemption. August 2, 2008 will be a telling night for sure.

BY: BROWN