EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW fresh from Main Events Conference Call, NEVADA, Las Vegas, June 8, 2010, 10 a.m. – Eyeing toward recapturing a championship belt after his forth-coming fight in what has become boxing’s hottest division, Zab ‘Super’ Judah declares, “I am still the pound-for-pound best,” and for the meantime, “I am fighting against Jose Armando Santa Cruz.”
Conversely, “I am definitely back to where I am comfortable,” adds Judah, referring to his decision to go back down in weight and to begin campaigning as a junior welterweight at 140 pounds on July 16 at the Prudential Center, Newark in New Jersey.
But, this fight of Judah against Santa Cruz, to some, can be a dangerous route. Santa Cruz knocked out his last two opponents, Sergio Macias and Anthony Mora, both in round 3 late last year.
Judah, a southpaw, boasts a record of 38 wins inclusive of 26 knockouts, 6 losses and zero draw. His opponent, Santa Cruz, presents a record of 28 wins inclusive of 17 knockouts, 4 losses and zero draw as well.
Judah, who nevertheless looked so fresh in his last fight against Ubaldo Hernandez whom he knocked out in round 2 last November, says “I want to finish strong just like how I started my boxing career.” He sees Santa Cruz as a challenging fighter to sustain his record just before he retires from boxing.
Judah’s most fatal defeat was in the hands of Kostya Tszyu who manhandled him via technical knockout in round 2 for the WBC, WBA Super World and IBF Light Welterweight titles, during which time Judah owned the IBF Welterweight title and Tszyu the WBC and WBA Super World Welterweight titles.That was in 2001. Since then, Judah never sought for a rematch against the man who delivered his first defeat.
After bounching back from his loss to Cory Spinks via unanimous decision in 2004, Judah, now 32, whose big losses after his fight against Tszyu were against the big ones in the welterweight, became a triple-title holder in 2005, which he won for the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title and the WBO Welterweight Title Eliminator from Rafael Pineda via split decision. He, then, moved on and won from his rematch against Spinks for the WBC, WBA Super World and IBF Welterweight titles in 2005, which he successfully defended against Cosme Rivera and won via technical knockout in round 3 in the same year. Thereafter, he lost twice via unanimous decision to Carlos Baldomir and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., both in 2006.
Judah’s last two defeats were handed by Miguel Cotto via 11th round technical knockout in 2006 and by Joshua Clottey via 9th round technical decision in 2008.
However, “I am still the pound-for-pound best fighter of the world today,” says Judah who discounts the relevance of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao’s rise to the top of the sport of boxing relatively banking on his undisputed reigning period in 2005 as the pound-for-pound best.
On the other hand, Judah also sees Juan Urango, who lost to Alexander Devon last March 6 via knockout in round 8, and Amir Khan as the great prospects for his next fight.
Meanwhile, Judah, who praises the speed and boxing skills of Amir Khan, the WBA World Light Welterweight Champion, aims for a stronger pull against another the latter’s fighting stance at 140 pounds. He believes a fight against Khan is a perfect match for him and his fight against him could be “a good-good fight for HBO and boxing fans because he is fast and throws a lot of punches.”
Note: This said conference call was facilitated by Jolene Mizzone, the Main Events boxing coordinator based in Las Vegas, Nevada, entertaining this writer as the first caller on the spot with Zab Judah.
Conference profile:
Zab Judah Media Q&A Conference Call
Tuesday, June 8, 10:00am (PDT) Las Vegas Time
Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 775-7400
Participant Access Code: 1081269#
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