Judah vs. Mabuza this Saturday night in New Jersey

By Boxing News - 02/28/2011 - Comments

Image: Judah vs. Mabuza this Saturday night in New JerseyBy Jason Kim: Former two-division world champion Zab Judah (40-6, 27 KO’s) will be trying to capture another title when he faces South African puncher Kaizer Mabuza (23-6-3, 14 KO’s) on Saturday night for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) title at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey. Judah, at one time one of the top fighters in both the light welterweight and welterweight divisions, has fallen into mediocrity since 20056, which was when he lost his WBC welterweight title.

It’s hard to imagine that Judah hasn’t been able to capture another title during the past five years. He’s lost to guys like Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Carlos Baldomir. The only talented fighter that Judah has beaten in the past five years has been Lucas Matthysse, but that was a disputed 12 round decision while fighting at home. It’s pretty much academic among boxing fans that Judah didn’t deserve to get the win over Matthysse, and won a hometown decision.

Now Judah faces Mabuza, a fighter that throws a lot of punches and is very strong. Mabuza may not be as good as Matthysse, but he brings a different kind of threat to Judah than what he faced in the fight with the powerful Argentinian. Mabuza is a fighter that is a nightmare for aging guys like Judah and Kendall Holt. With his heavy pressure, rough style and nonstop punching, Mabuza is going to force the aging Judah to fight a lot harder than he’s been accustomed to fighting.

Don’t expect Judah to trade a lot with Mabuza in this one because he’ll have problems keeping up with the South African. Instead, look for Judah to run all night similar to the way he ran from Matthysse. Being that the fight is being held in Judah’s home town again, Mabuza might need a knockout to get the win. That’s sad to say but it’s probably true. However, if Mabuza can knock Judah down enough times, the judges won’t have much choice but to give the decision to Mabuza. It’s going to take something fairly dramatic from Mabuza for him to get a win against Judah in Jersey.



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