Last night Zab fought one of the smartest fights I have ever seen him fight in a long time. He fought a tactical fight and early he seemed to have Mabuza figured out moving very well and jabbing. The two things that normally let Judah down, his chin and his lungs were protected. Rather than rush in for the early KO and gas he actually fought the first 4 cautiously. He leaned and moved very well avoiding many shots. Another great thing was that he suppressed his emotions pretty well in the ring and stuck to the game plan. Also the KO punch was a thing of beauty, a quick, short, and straight left. However, his fight was not perfect. He showed long stretches of inactivity. He let himself get out worked at times. He ate a few big shots and looked hurt in the 6th. And though I said he was pretty cool he did get really emotional following the KD and looked like he was crying it was kinda funny. Overall I give the performance an A and wonder what he will do next. 140 is a very deep division right now. He holds the IBF version, Bradley holds the WBO and WBC and Khan holds the WBA. Also guys like Alexander, a former holder, Mattysse a guy who could have been given the nod vs Judah, Kotelnik a tough and talented counter puncher, Urango a tough and hard hitting pressure fighter and many more loom in the divisions ranks. Malinagi may stay at 140 that I think would make an interesting bout. Also guys like Marquez and Soto maybe moving up to 140, they would be two threatening fighters. Judah is in a young division but he has advantages. While guys like Khan and Bradley were amateurs he was a champ and unifying with Kostya T. He was an undisputed 147 champ. In a young division he has so much experience. And at 33 he can still move like a guy in their 20's. And he may have the hardest 1 punch KO power at the weight. What next? Well Id imagine that Bradley wants Khan and Judah may not be the first choice of opponents. He has unfinished biz with Mattysse but he is fighting Alexander. Either way fighting that winner is good. He is not without his options. Im sure people will gun for Judah knowing his past and that he is 33. On a final note I think Pernell is a great trainer choice funny cause Judah many years ago was said to be Pernell with power
I still have to watch video of this... Happy for the dude, He has come full circle now. (Payday!! next!)
Bradley said judah is not on his radar and khan moves up after the bradley fight, So I think zab fights the winner of maidana vs morales, maidana knocks judah out.
That KO punch was gorgeous. You could see Whitaker all over it. Still though, Zab is who he is. I don't think he unifies or goes on some insane tear beating everyone in sight, I just hope he stays active and keeps working hard to give himself the best chance to win. He's definitely been responsible for beating himself in the past, if he can avoid doing that, he'll find a way to make some noise. Mathysse, Peterson, Guzman, Malinaggi, Alexander all interesting, makeable, winnable fights for Zab.
The thing is, many people had him on his way to losing this fight DUE to his performence. Too much D, not enough O. A bail out punch wont save him against the best in the division, he needs to work on effectively winning rounds.... Ill be rooting for Zab to get the big fights in the division, but imo hes not where he needs to be quite yet. That being said, beating Matthyse and KO'ing Mabuza, these wins shouldnt be overlooked. Hes having a nice lil comeback right now.
love to see maidana vs judah or the matthyse rematch (which i highly doubit it) zudah beats maidana, he'll box circles around him but i want to see devon v zab - zab called him out back when devon ko'd urango after the match, would be a good one
Even if your a judah hater, you have to give judah props for his career that he managed to get a world title belt at what we all thought was the end of the line for judah. If i was judah i would just look for some big paydays and call it quits in a fight or two and end in a high. Edit: But the truth is boxing rarely serves a boxer a happy ending, as a boxer i guess you want the most you can make for your self, to boost your record, and get more money, you cant really blame them either.
Zab missed some opportunities to be more aggressive. Other than that he fought an outstanding fight. I do not think it was a "bail out" punch that ended the fight. I think he knew Mabuza would eventually fall into a trap.
i give zab props even though he cost me money last night. sounds like he fought a controlled fight against a tough opponent. he did not look good against maythysse
Judah looked good last night, a fight with Maidana or Alexander would be good to see and did anyone notice the speed of the punches when he finished the fight off, only noticed it in the replay, phenomenal.
Zab should take an easy fight (against Paulie M) and then cash out against the Bradley vs Khan winner, or the next best available name, before he has to face a real mandatory.
This is what i saw as well. The punch was a beauty. But he could have been more offensive in the opening rounds. May be he was trying to get some rounds in? As the gulf between him and Mabuza in terms of class was more like a chasm. I think his team knew this. So maybe Zab was trying to work on some new things in the ring that Whitaker taught him.