Zab Judah vs. Vernon Paris on March 24th in IBF 140lb title eliminator

By Allen Fox: Former two-division world champion Zab Judah (41-7, 28 KO’s) will be angling to get another world title shot in his IBF light welterweight title eliminator bout against #4 International Boxing Federation ranked contender Vernon Paris (26-0, 15 KO’s) on March 24th at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, New York.

Paris, 24, has little in the way of experience in the way of 1st tier opposition. The only win he has over a top 15 contender was his 7th round TKO win over Tim Coleman last August. Paris showed a good body attack in that fight but not much in the way of hand speed or power. He just looks like a guy that can brawl, take good shots and fire back well to the body. He’s nothing special and I think he would struggle against a brawler like WBA light welterweight champion Marcos Maidana. Guys like Amir Khan and Tim Bradley would have too much speed for Paris.

Judah, 34, was stopped in his last fight in losing his IBF 140 pound title to Amir Khan by a 5th round TKO last July. It’s incredible that Judah could be ready to fight for the belt again if he beats Paris. You’d like to see Judah have to beat more than one guy to get another crack at the title because it just makes it a revolving door of Judah getting shots at the belt while other contenders are bypassed.

Judah might be able to win this fight if he’s able to keep Paris from crowding him and working his body. Judah is a good body puncher as well, and has a lot better hand speed than Paris. However, if Judah can’t keep Paris on the outside, then we’ll likely see Judah get knocked out again. He doesn’t seem to be able to take a lot of punishment anymore without falling to pieces. Paris might be too tough for the aging Judah.

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