CAN ZAB STILL BE SUPER? OR IS THIS SMOKE & MIRRORS?
Lps Angeles, CA– Former jr, welterweight (140 lbs.) and welterweight (147) king Zab “Super” Judah (39-6, 27 KOs) turned 33 this past week. The seemingly more mature New Yorker recently dropped down in weight again to 140, as he looks to make a run at another world title.
THE “CHINNY” JUDAH IS NOW “SKINNY”
In July of this year in his first fight circa 140, (weighing 141) Zab looked spectaular stopping former lightweight (135) contender Jose Armando Santa Cruz (28-5,17 KOs) in the third round on ESPN. His opponnent in the fight Saturday live on HBO should be far more dangerous when he faces hard punching Lucas Matthysse (27-0, 25 KOs) of Argentina. Mattysse happens to be sharing camp with middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KOs) in Oxnard, California (who defends his crown against Paul Williams (39-1, 27 KOs) later this month), and appears to be very confident of victory as well.
ZAB HAS AKWAYS HAD “HEAD ISSUES”
Judah whose been known to have mental lapses in just about all of his major fights is looking to make a statement. This is the type of opponnent that the often chinny Judah can’t afford to make mistakes in. In his bout against light punching Carlos Baldomir (45-13-6, 14 KOs) he was staggered in round seven and fought listless for the remainder of the bout losing his welterweight crown in the process against the heavy underdog by decision.
FIRST REAL TEST FOR KO KING
Matthysse is a big puncher, but not the usual wild swinging brawler in style that is expected of a fighter with such a shiny record. He posesses good body punching, power in both hands and a high guard. His most notable victory was over former beltholder (140) Vivian Harris (29-5, 19 KOs) in a bizzarre 4th round stoppage victory. The Argentine appeared to be dominating and stunned Harris in the round and the referee immediately waved the fight off. Fortunately this fight won’t be in Mexico, it will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey, where Judah originally of Brooklyn, New York should have the home advantage. Judah’s biggest advantages here are his speed, power, and the fact that he’s a lefty which always gives opponnents problems. Can Judah stay focussed if the fight goes rounds? Or will the 28 year-old Argentine be able to pull off the mild upset?
Kevin “KP” Perry