November 6, 2010 will mark another important date in the career of Zab ?Super? Judah (39-6, 27 KO), the former jr. welterweight, and linear welterweight champion from Brooklyn, New York. Judah will square off against Argentina?s Lucas Matthysse (27-0, 25 KO), for the vacant North American Boxing Organization (NABO) jr. welterweight title, as well as the number two ranking for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF).
November 6, 2010, also marks nine years, almost exactly to the date since Judah?s November 3, 2001, technical knockout loss to Kostya Tszyu, which knocked him from the ranks of the top of the jr. welterweight division. Judah?s career has been marred by questions of his dedication and focus on the sport since that loss.
Despite being labeled immature and unfocused, Judah was able to capture another jr. welterweight world title. In 2005, Judah won the undisputed welterweight title with a technical knockout victory over Cory Spinks.
After only one defense, Judah lost his crown to Carlos Baldomir in 2006, which sent him into a stretch in which he lost four of seven, with one no contest.
Since his technical decision loss to Joshua Clottey in August 2008, Judah has won three straight, his last win coming at the expense of former lightweight champion Jose Armando Santa Cruz, who walked into a scorching left uppercut that ended his night early.
Judah credits his renewed focus on regularly attending church with his fianc?e, as well as the maturity that comes with age and experience. He has already accomplished enough in his career to be mentioned as a possible Hall-of-Fame candidate. At thirty-three years of age, some might expect him to start winding down towards the end of his career. Instead, he is gearing up for a run at the top of his division; one of the deepest and most talented divisions in boxing.
Zab Judah?s name is already being mentioned when potential opponents for Tim Bradley, Devon Alexander, and Amir Khan are talked about. Judah certainly has the talent and experience to give the two twenty-three year olds, Amir Khan and Devon Alexander, as well as the twenty-seven year old Timothy Bradley, a run for their money.
Standing in Judah?s way on his path to his return to the top, is the hard-hitting Lucas Matthysse. A win over the up-and-coming Lucas Matthysse will give Judah the number two rankings in the IBF and WBO, and could make the jr. welterweight division the most exciting division boxing has seen in a while.
