FORMER CHAMP GETS THE NOD IN A CLOSE CONTEST
Newark, NJ – In an IBF jr. welterweight (140) elimination affair hosted at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, former two time belt holder Zab Judah (40-6, 27 KOs) was awarded a split decision victory over previously unbeaten power puncher Lucas Matthysse (27-1, 25 KOs).
BREAKDOWN OF THE BOUT
After a dismal first two rounds of phony warfare, Zab Judah woke up the crowd with a blistering right uppercut which stunned and slowed down the stalking style of Lucas Matthysse. However, the pace slowed over the next few frames as both fighters seldom where willing to commit to any form of sustained attack. Better late then never, action finally heated up in round 8 as Judah started to get a rhythm against the pressure fighting style of Matthysse and Judah managed to strafe his adversary with some commanding shots. Despite Zab’s seemingly growing momentum, action once again slowed down in round 9. At the close of the round, it appeared that Judah’s history of late round stamina issues were beginning to surface. Early into round 10, Judah got rocked and floored by a solid right that landed clean on his temple. Judah managed to get up, and survive a horrific round of sustained punishment. From that point on, the championship rounds saw much of the same as Lucas stalked and battered a faded and fatigued Zab Judah. Judges’ score cards read: 114-113, 115-112 for Judah and 114-113 for Matthysse. I had the fight 114-113 in favor of Judah.
POST MOTURM
At the press conference, a very respectful Zab Judah acknowledged Matthysee as the hardest puncher he has ever faced. Zab also shared that he was uncertain of who his next opponent would be, but that he still is on a quest for another world title. A very upset and defiant Lucas Matthysee felt he had done enough to win and feels a rematch is warranted.
10 FIGHT UNDERCARD HIGHTLIGHTS
In what was a lollapalooza of a card, here are some note worthy results:
In a lightweight (135) tilt, comebacking former champ Robert Guerrero(28-1-1, 18 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over game scrapper Vicente Escobedo (22-3, 14 KOs). Guerrero looked impressive flooring Escobedo in rounds 3 and 6, however ended up winning on points 100-88, 98-90, and 96-92.
Local Jersey favorite lightweight (135) Mike Perez (10-0-1, 5 KOs) smashed a barrage of resounding shots off the head of a very beat down Hevinson Herrera (14-7-1, 12 KOs) to stop his foe at the 1:58 mark of round 1.
In an all out war, Jr. lightweight (130) Tyrone Luckey (2-0, 1 KO) got off the canvas to score a pair of knockdowns in route to stopping Alex Montes (1-2) in the third.
Jr. lightweight (130) Andrien Broner (18-0, 15 KOs) came out like a house on fire to burn down Ilido Julio (40-20-1, 35 KOs) at 1:26 of round 1.
Olympian welterweight (147) Sadam Ali (10-0, 6 KOs) mugged challenger Gary Bergeron (12-8, 7 KOs) with mule kick type power shots forcing the ref to call a halt to the action at 0:43 of round 2.
Middleweight (160) Bastie Samir (6-0, 6 KOs) destroyed Damion Reed (2-4, 1 KO) at 2:47 of round 1.
John Signorella