By Eric Thomas: #1 IBF light welterweight contender Kaizer Mabuza (23-6-3, 14 KO’s) goes up against former two division world champion Zab Judah (40-6, 27 KO’s) on Saturday night at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey. Mabuza, 31, is two years younger than the 33-year-old Judah, but has boxed a lot less rounds than Judah at 175 compared to Judah’s 274.

This may not sound like a big deal but it means that Mabuza has less mileage on him compared to Judah, because Judah has been in with some top guys like Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Carlos Baldomir (in his prime), Kostya Tszyu, Joshua Clottey, Cory Spinks, DeMarcus Corley (in his prime), Micky Ward, and Junior Witter. Those are quality fighters and Judah has taken a lot of head shots in each of those fights. Mabuza, despite getting beaten six times, is hasn’t faced the same kind of opposition in losing his fights.

Mabuza says that Judah had his time. It’s now Mabuza’s time to show what he has by beating Judah and capturing the vacant IBF title.

The Judah-Mabuza fight will be on pay-per-view at a cost of $29.95. Judah has been trained for this fight by boxing great Pernell Whitaker, who is looking to make Judah more elusive. Whether he can accomplish that in only one training camp is unclear. Mabuza is a heavy pressure fighter and will be cutting off the ring and forcing Judah to fight. Judah has good defensive skills but he’s going to have to fight Mabuza if he wants to win. He can’t beat him by running or ducking all night. It’s a bit late in game for Judah to try and adopt the skills that Whitaker had.