Zab Judah Gets TKO Win Over Kaizer Mabuza

Written by Michael Woods

Saturday, 05 March 2011 23:19

Judah-MabuzaPPV Looks like the addition of Whitaker paid heavy dividends for Judah, who has put his personal and professional life on track, and is to be commended.Zab Judah was looking to win rounds with superior defense at the AmeriHealth Pavilion at Prudential center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night. It looked like he might've been trying to channel new trainer Pernell Whitaker a bit much, and forgetting to work combinations. But no, Judah, now a wily vet, knows what he's doing. He didn't neglect the offense; a counter left, short, sweet, and vicious, in round seven over a lazy right hurt Kaizer Mabuza badly, and Judah made sure to finish off the South African, who was beyond buzzed after a mandatory eight count.

The time of the finish was 59 seconds into the seventh. Judah gushed profusely about God after the win, promising to celebrate at Mass on Sunday.

The vacant IBF 140 pound title was up for grabs.

Judah (age 33; from Brooklyn; 40-6 with 27 KOs entering; three time champion; IBF No. 2) was 138 pounds, Mabuza (age 31; from South Africa; 23-6-3 with 14 KOs entering; coming off a win over Kendall Holt; IBF No. 1) weighed 139 pounds on Friday.

In the first, Judah came out looking like he absorbed a few Pernell Whitaker tricks. Sweetpea, now aboard after Eddie Mustafa Muhammad was let go, told Judah he liked his work in the first. dad Yoel Judah stood on the apron, letting Whitaker be the main voice in the corner.

In the second, Mabuza came forward, looking to be the aggressor, but he was a step or two behind the jabbing Judah.

In the third, Judah kept on making sure he didn't get hit, first and foremost but later in the round let the gap close and set down harder on some shots. Mabuza had some luck going to the body.

In the fourth, Judah moved more than in the third. Mabuza looked a little flummoxed at times trying to find him, but did land a sharp right two minutes in, and then scored a knockdown when Zab's glove touched the mat. A right hand behind the head did the damage. Judah protested heatedly.

In the fifth, Zab kept on moving, mostly to his right, making Mabuza really reach with his power right. His hook was a wild one, too telegraphed to touch Judah. Judah was dipping lower, a la Whitaker, to make the South African miss, every now and again.

In the sixth, Zab was trying to win almost purely with D. A right buckled Zab with 50 seconds to go. His offense was way too MIA, and he lost the round.

In the seventh, a left counter hurt Mabuza badly. He had a mandatory eight but was woozy. Judah hopped on him, and finished him off.

Tarvis Simms went a step further on the comeback trail, taking a UD8 from most useful vet John Mackey, whop dropped to 13-6. Simms is the "bigger" of the Simms twins; bro Travis held a 154 pound crown briefly. Tarvis had been at 168, stunk out the joint against Allan Green in Oct. 2009, took more than a year off, and has wisely dropped to a class which fits his 5-9 frame. Simms is world class, and should have no trouble getting a title crack soon.

He didn't look 39. His stamina was above average, he kept his hands moving the whole time, and he may get that title shot that his twin bro enjoyed, late in the game. The scores were, 78-74, 79-73, 80-72, for Simms, now 27-1.

Mike Tyson chatted with Tony Paige and Jameel McCline right before the Judah bout. "I can't believe I did this for a living," he said, chuckling, when Paige asked him about his friend Zab Judah's chances against Mabuza. Tyson said he learns serenity from his pigeons, which will be featured on his new reality show, which runs tonight on Animal Planet. He also said that Tomasz Adamek needs to move his head more if he's to have a chance against a Klitschko. He said he doesn't see anyone in the US on the horizon ready to usurp the Klitschkos. He sounded grounded, saying he simply lives in the present, realizing he can't do anything to change his past. He'll enter the Hall of Fame in June, for the record.

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Comment on this article

Radam G says:

Good win for Super Zab! I'm glad that he recognizes dat it's lefty TIME. Enough said. Holla!

brownsugar says:

Wow,.. the way Mabuza walked right thru Holt (even though he had been away for a while) like and anvil thru tissue paper... I had no Idea that Zab would be up to the task. I read that Mabuza had his moments but Zab caught him with a sweet power punch... awesome go Zab.

brownsugar says:

this is off topic ,... but the most promising, talented and skillful boxer I've seen from all the fights this weekend is the Russian Ishmael Sillahk... perfect balance... smooth silky movement and delivery... you can't even tell how much force he's putting behind his punches...can slice his opponent with what looks like a soft jab... reminds me of the modern day reincarnation of Charly Burly... I guarantee you that he could dispach Hopkins, Dawson, Cloud, Pascal, Johnson and all the European guys with multiple consonants in their names....with what would appear to be relative ease (of course we know that it's harder than it looks).. I wouldn't even give Andre Ward a chance against him when he eventually moves up to 175, his opponent the cuban Dispaigne was out classes which is impressive when consider the combined records of both boxers have accumulated over 700 amateur fights between them. An amazing match up for ESPN and the best confrontation I've seen this weekend... the Russian Sillahk is destined to rule the lightheavyweight division with the boxing equivalent of a platinum covered Hammer and Sickle.

mortcola says:

Good news: Zab had sweet movement and improved ring intelligence; jumped in and said night night once he drugged Kaiser with that quick, sweet counter. Bad news: didn't punch much; things he was doing should have been practiced in sparring, with some battle juice ready to flow in the show. Also, got his bell rung badly at one point, but, hey, that's boxing. If Zab can get out from under Daddy's shadow once and for all he may have the time and reflexes to finally reach his potential. Remains to be seen whether Sweet Pea can be a suitable motivator and not just an old wizard passing on some tricks.

FighterforJC says:

Great win for Judah. I'm actually interested in seeing him against Tim Bradley. In the meantime, watch this awesome, ultra realistic FNC match featuring Zab Judah against Victor Ortiz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Ic_zg0PII

Isaiah says:

Can it be? Has Super Zab actually just strung 2 wins together in a row? Will he be on his way to become the undisputed junior welterweight champion of the world. It could be. I'm kind of excited to find out. Next step... Bring on Maidana or Victor Ortiz!

donputo69 says:

My boy Zab is back...Wut it do Zab...Bklyn in da house...Good win my man...Now i say bring on Maidana or the winner of Khan and bradley...Should be a good one...holla back!!!

brownsugar says:

Nice Pic Mortcola... cute kid.

brownsugar says:

DP69,.. Mabuza was no joke... he generally walks thru his opponents.. I wanted Zab to win but didn't know if he had enough... apparently he did.

brownsugar says:

after watching a replay of the KO.. have to say it was a perfectly thrown punch.. short but very quick. Mabuza was held up by the ropes and didn't know who he was... should have been stopped immediately... when they turned Zab aloose on him after the 8 count... Mabuza was alternately put to sleep and woke back up by Zabs continuous rain of hard shots. Mabuza being too strong to quit even though he was cleary sleepwalking ....subconsciously the stubborn Mabuza refused to hit the canvas..... No way the ref should have let Mabuza continue after the first shot. I shoulda bought this fight.

brownsugar says:

Mabuza must have been on some A-side Meth.

mortcola says:

Thanks, Brownsugar. You should see mama.

the Roast says:

I cant find the clip! Damn youtube!!!

brownsugar says:

Roast you can find the link on BoxingTalk. the link is right beneath the story about the fight.

the Roast says:

Thanks B-Sug, that was one hell of a punch landed by Zab. That ref was brave to let the fight go on but I have no problem with it. It was a title fight so its all good. I liked Tyson's reaction, he was going crazy for Zab. Top of the food chain!

brownsugar says:

a genuine title fight indeed.

dyolens says:

Gotta love Zab. I hope he's back for good. And with improve stamina...

amayseng says:

this was a good performance by zab. much more disciplined and focused. i think his offense was a bit mia at times because he was thinking a bit trying to stay within the gameplan. however, he fought very well and that straight left was swift and starched mazuba, he didnt know what country he was in. good win for zab who is always relevant due to his skills and talent. btw, he is still very fast. id like to see a mayweather rematch at 147

Radam G says:

@mortcola, Wow! So where is mama? Holla!

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