When you hear the name “Zab Judah”, what thoughts come to mind? Fast…….Strong…..Powerful. Every dialogue held between fight fans regarding the talented southpaw early in his career contained these words, but over the past few years, just like the text used to chronicle his career, the emotional texture surrounding it has changed as well. “Fast”, “strong”, and “powerful” have each been replaced with “marginal”, “subpar”, and “less-than-entertaining”. To some, Judah has been that proverbial “cat with 9 lives”, losing those marquee fights offered at the top of the sport, yet somehow remaining in contention enough to stay there. A once seemingly invincible shield fell in the Fall of 2001 at the hands of one Kostya Tszyu. Since then, it seems a trail of hidden insecurities surfaced and have continued to mount ever since.
All pertinent questions surrounding Judah can be best answered in the many peaks and valleys chronicled over time. A deeper analysis of those peaks and valleys can be found in the unpredictable nature behind them. Those who feel Judah has a penchant for doing the impossible while failing to do what should be possible couldn’t be any closer to the truth. And that particular truth leads one to wonder what can we really expect as Judah prepares for the biggest fight he’s had in quite some time.
A victory overseas in the backyard of a very talented Junior Witter. A devastating loss at home to Kostya Tszyu. A loss to Cory Spinks in a city which should have made Judah feel right at home (Las Vegas). A subsequent victory over Spinks in a place most felt Judah should have never gone (St. Louis).
In each of those cases, Judah did something that most felt he couldn’t, while failing to do a few things that most felt he would. This time around, standing across from Judah is a fighter who actually parallels him. Like Judah, Khan is another example of a fighter who can’t seem to establish or secure an identity most felt he would one day own. The good thing for Khan is that he’s still young, beaming with that kind of determination that many of us can remember Judah wilting under in the past.
Many have viewed Judah as an underachiever, but one thing few speak about is the fact that Judah is fighting in a weight which he probably always belonged. Like many other fighters, Judah went up in weight to make more money, but unfortunately, this ‘calculated’ risk didn’t quite add up. Before moving up from the Jr. Welterweight class, Judah was a stunning 29-1, and that one loss came to one of the best in the business at the time. At welterweight and above, Judah would go 13-5 with one “no contest” bout. As the sports co-P4P King, many will look at Pacquiao and give him a benefit of the doubt in his weight rise because he’s vertically challenged, but back in 2006 when Pacquiao was routinely entering the ring in the high 140’s, Judah was approximately within that same range on several fight nights unofficially.
Many supporters would argue that he never truly belonged outside of the jr. welterweight division, and considering his stellar 5-0 record since returning, one can’t help but to tell himself “maybe they’re correct”. At age 33, Judah is said to be a changed man; rededicated, refocused, collected and respected. Gone are the dark nights and city lights; present is a faith in God that’s air tight. Rumor has it that once you leave, you can’t go home again. In the case of Zab Judah, perhaps that’s a good thing as he now finds himself in a place mentally unlike any he’s ever dwelled before. The addition of legendary fighter-turned-trainer Pernell Whitaker has been a work-in-progress, as the progress continues to work. Despite his relocation to the desert, Judah remains in a New York state of mind, but come fight night when the bell finally rings and Khan answers the call, as I sit and watch, I’ll have one question in mind: “Is Brooklyn In The House?” Judah started his career on a Friday night in Miami, Florida. A loss to Khan next Saturday and his career is bound to head back south. Stay tuned.
(Vivek “Vito” Wallace can also be reached at [email protected], Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEKWALLACE747), Skype (VITO-BOXING), Facbook, and Myspace)
