By Jason Kim: 33-year-old former two time world champion Zab Judah (40-6, 27 KO’s) will be facing South African Kaizer Mabuza (23-6-3, 14 KO’s) in a risky fight for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light welterweight title at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey.

Judah didn’t need this fight in order to get a good money bout against one of the champions, but must like his chances against the 31-year-old Mabuza. There is a pay-off Judah if he wins because if he captures the title, he’ll be able to get a better financial deal in a fight against guys like WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan and the winner of the clash between champions Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander.

The Judah-Mabuza fight will be shown on pay-per-view, but that’s going to be interesting to see how many boxing fans decide to purchase it. Judah’s star has faded in the past four years through a combination of inactivity and losses to fighters like Joshua Clottey, Carlos Baldomir, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In Judah’s last fight, he defeated light welterweight contender Lucas Matthysse by a very questionable 12 round split decision in November. Judah was dropped in the 10th, and ran for the last seven rounds of the fight while taking continuous punishment.

Judah has problems with stamina and he may be in deep trouble against Mabuza, because the South African I known for setting a fast pace and not letting up for an instant. Judah’s best chance at winning is to try and score an early knockout. If not, he’s going to have problems with Mabuza’s pressure.