Khan fight is last hurrah for Judah

By John F. McKenna (McJack): Back in 2001 when International Boxing Federation (IBF) Light Welterweight Champion Zab Judah (41-6-2NC, 28 KO’s) was thought to be on his way to fistic stardom he entered the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to fight Kostya Tszyu for the undisputed 140 pound title.

At that time Zab “Super” Judah was loud, boastful and arrogant, seemingly going out of his way to alienate people. Judah was not only knocked out in the 2nd round that night, but in the process of the fight being stopped, he lost his composure. He shoved his glove in the throat of referee Jay Nady and in a fit of rage threw a stool.

The Nevada Athletic Commission suspended Judah six months for his actions and fined him $75,000.

Five years later Judah returned to Las Vegas for another huge fight, this time against Floyd Mayweather. Floyd was widely considered to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world at the time.

For a number of rounds Judah did surprisingly well and appeared to be on his way to a major upset. Mayweather, as he is prone to do gradually increased the pressure on Judah and Zab again appeared to lose his composure.

In the 10th round Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s trainer, entered the ring to complain to the referee about a foul. At that point Judah’s father Yoel, who was Zab’s trainer, also entered the ring and threw a punch at Roger Mayweather. A pier six brawl erupted, with Zab Judah gleefully getting in the middle of it.

To his credit Floyd Mayweather Jr. calmly went to a neutral corner and waited for the pandemonium to end. For his role in the brawl, the Nevada boxing officials fined Judah $250,000 and revoked his boxing license.

Zab Judah is in the twilight of his career and he has not made the most of his undeniable skills as a fighter. The time is getting late for Judah and he knows more than anyone else that he will never again have the kind of opportunity he has on Saturday night against WBA Light Welterweight Champion Amir Khan (25-1, 17 KO’s).

“Super” Zab Judah insists that he still has the physical skills needed to bring him to the pinnacle of success as a fighter. He also claims at 33 years of age that he now has the maturity to avoid the type of mental meltdowns which have prevented him from achieving his goals in the past.

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