What is Zab Judah's problem?

I mean MAIN problem that you think if it was fixed he'd be a top 10 p4p fighter today? Because in all honestly watch the first 4 rounds of all his fights, he is a demon, speed, timing, reflexes, I mean he throws roundhouse punches so much ferocity and speed, then all of a sudden his eyes just glaze over, like he totally zones out of the fight. He even starts to look scared, or discouraged, like if someone takes his initial barrage he doesnt wanna fight anymore.

You can see it in the Tszyu, Mayweather and Cotto fights. He comes out vicious looking for blood, landing staggering blows in all 3 fights, then once the fighter weathers his storm, its like he just gives up.

Its disheartening, not because I like the guy, I mean if their is one thing the black community needs less of its guys like Zab Judah, starting fights in clubs, beating up guys over dice games, getting hits put out on him on the streets. Thats why I can tell the difference between a guy like Floyd and a guy like Judah, anybody who grows up in those surroundings can see that Floyd does it to sell tickets, and even them its just a bubble gum hip hop persona and the opposite is Zab who would probably stab you over a pair of $40 dollars sneakers if he wasnt a boxer.

So what is Zabs main problem? Intelligence? Heart? Discipline? I think its his trainers, I seriously think that if he had a decent trainer like a Mayweather for example, he'd be tops in the sport. I also think he should move back down a weight class, because given the level of talent in super lightweight now, I think he could seriously clean house on talent alone. However I could see him getting beat by Hatton, because as with Tszyu and Baldomir he simply loses it in a fight, and as Hatton proved by eating everything mayweather had for 10 rounds he doesnt stop, and for someone like Judah he doesnt have the discipline to hold off that storm mentally.

 

Was Baldomir better then Zab? Hell no. Was OLD Tszyu better then Zab? No.

So it cant just be that these guys were better then him, mentally he isnt all there. Just watch the beginning of the Mayweather/Cotto fights, its a different guy from the one who gets beat around over the next 8/6 rounds by both fighters.

 

I disagree. Zab was controlling the pace of the fight against Tszyu, in the first round he landed several flush shots against Tszyu. What Tszyu landed at the end of the 2nd was a lucky punch. But again, it was Zab being careless.

 

No you said "many are better then him". Out of the 5 fighters he lost to I see only 2, Cotto and Mayweather, as being better then him.

 

Disagree. Judah, has speed, probably the fastest hands in boxing, and a significant amount of power to go with it, also decent reflexes. More then enough attributes to make him a top level fighter. As i said, the ability is there. But watch a Floyd fight, and you'll see that one fighter adapts and thinks on his feet, and the other lacks alot of discipline.

The round was ho-hum. Zab moving and trying to counter, landing a few jabs, and Tzsyu hunting. The kind of punch he landed is what I call a lucky shot. It wasnt like it was building to that moment, the round was over and Zab got caught going on the inside and was hit by a straight right. Zab got up to fast, should have used the 8 count and would have probably have been fine to go. Doesnt mean I dont believe Tzsyu who was the more experienced and well disciplined fighter wouldnt have won the match, I just believe Zab was far more skilled.

What im asking is, since we know that most of his faults are in his mentality, would a decent trainer, someone along the lines of a Mayweather who teaches defensive strategy tactics better be a better fit for someone like Zab who has alot of talent?

 

Yep thats exactly what I think. If Zab had a better trainer we'd see a totally different fighter. Its probably too late now, but if he had someone else managing him through his younger days, molding a more disciplined, better counterpunching oriented fighter, he'd be alot more dangerous.

Also your comment about the Tszyu fight breaking his confidence could have alot to do with it aswell.

 

I agree with you. By skilled I meant athleticism and natural talent, but skilled wasnt the right word for that. For instance Eric Snow is probably more athletic then Steve Nash but Nash is more skilled. I totally understand what you are saying, that Tszyu probably would have won the fight anyway, but with Zabs ability he shouldnt be losing to the likes of Baldomir.

However the the crux of the problem, dont you think a better trainer someone with his gifts would be a better fighter?