Only days after his seventh round stoppage of Kaizer Mabuza to regain the IBF light welterweight title he first held over ten years ago, and Zab Judah is already looking towards his next bout.
In a recent interview with FightHype, Judah revealed plans to target lightweight kingpin Juan Manuel Marquez this summer, which on the face of it might seem like an out of left field target for the former two weight champion.
If nothing else though Zab was serious about wanting Marquez, speaking to fans yesterday through his twitter account, Judah reiterated his plans, posting: “I know Marquez is a great fighter but after this one you guys will see! Super Judah the Greatest behind JESUS CHRIST!” “I hope this one happens it will be a great fight Judah vs Marquez this summer!!” “And the fight will be at 140 4 the IBF”
The main issue with the fight happening for the time being is likely the persistent rumor that Marquez is on the verge of leaving current promoters Golden Boy to join rivals Top Rank, presumably in hopes of getting a third fight against Manny Pacquiao.
Judah is now promoted by Main Events/Super Judah promotions, so the ongoing battle between Golden Boy and Top Rank wouldn’t be an issue as such.
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The problem that might arise would be whether Marquez, having signed to Top Rank might be offered a third shot at Pacquiao immediately, which would obviously be a much more lucrative and high profile than a shot at Judah’s IBF light welterweight title.
Also until Marquez decides what he is going to do, the ongoing negotiations between himself and Golden Boy might have him sidelined for the next few months, making a summer bout unlikely.
That aside, the bout does make sense for both Judah and Marquez if they can make it happen.
Having won his title a little over a week ago, Judah has to an extent missed the boat on big summer bouts with any of the other light welterweight champions or big names.
Already in the works for the coming months, Amir Khan and Tim Bradley look set to face off against each other, and before then Khan takes on highly ranked Paul McCloskey.
Marcos Maidana is fighting Erik Morales, with the WBA title at stake (Khan has been elevated to ‘super’ champion).
Devon Alexander is a possibility at this stage, but will likely want an easier comeback after his first career loss to Tim Bradley, and Victor Ortiz has moved up to welterweight for the time being and takes on Andre Berto next month.
So as far as big name opponents available right now for Judah, Marquez is probably the biggest. Marquez himself on the other hand has been looking for an opportunity for a title at light welterweight for some time, and having turned down the much larger Amir Khan last year, who he would have been at a marked disadvantage against, Judah represents a much more even match up.
For the time being, Judah is the only one speaking about the match up, and it isn’t known what Marquez makes of it or whether he’s interested.
Judah does represent the best chance Marquez has right now of becoming the first four weight Mexican champion however, and could also get him a step closer to his much coveted third fight with Pacquiao.
Ely Christopher, Pitt: “Judah wanting Marquez proves he ain’t in it for an easy title run, JMM might be a tough fight for him though, he wouldn’t run through him like Floyd did”
