Tag Archives: zab

Posted on 06/11/2019

By: Sean Crose

Zab Judah was released from a Syracuse hospital on Monday after being treated for a brain bleed, one presumably caused by Friday night’s fight with Cletus Seldin in Verona, New York. The former junior welterweight and welterweight champion has fought infrequently since returning from a three year absence in 2017. Upon Judah’s release, promotional outlet Star Boxing released a statement:

“Star Boxing is pleased to announce that today, 6-time world champion, ZAB “SUPER” JUDAH was released from the hospital after being admitted after Friday night’s fight at Turning Stone Resort Casino.While he will need rest, the prognosis looks promising. Thank you to all of those that sent your well wishes to Zab and his family during this pressing time.”

Before last week’s bout, Brooklyn’s Judah expressed confidence.“I got more knockouts then he got fights,” the 44-10 fighter said of the 24-1 Seldin. While this statement was true, it was also indicative of the fact that that Judah had begun his professional career when the thirty two year old Seldin, no spring chicken himself by boxing standards, was only ten years old. The fight saw Seldin, who was highly respectful of his foe, relentlessly apply pressure to Judah, working the body effectively and finishing off his man by the eleventh round.

Judah hadn’t fought in well over a year leading up to Friday’s bout, and had essentially only fought sparingly since his heyday as a major force in boxing. His fight with Seldin was the main event in a card that coincided with the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s induction weekend. Once news of Judah’s hospitalization broke, figures throughout the fight world offered their support.

Judah, 41, has had a colorful and often impressive career that has spawned well over twenty years. During that time he has held a junior welterweight title, as well as the undisputed, and lineal, welterweight championship of the world. Judah has also faced a who’s who of premiere fighters, such as Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather, Danny Garcia, Miguel Cotto, Paulie Malignaggi, Amir Khan, and Lucas Matthysse.

It was obvious on Friday that Judah was not the same sharp, competitive foe of previous years. By engaging in a consistent forward attack, Seldin’s made the former champion appear outright overwhelmed at times. The ring veteran’s performance once again raised questions regarding fighters practicing their craft long after their primes have passed.

Posted on 04/17/2019

By: Sean Crose

Looking to prove that age is just a number, Zab “Super” Judah will return to the ring to face Cletus Seldin on June 7th. Judah, 41, has held major titles in two weight divisions, but hasn’t fought in well over a year, and has only fought sparingly since his heyday as a major force in boxing. The fight with Seldin will go down at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in upstate New York. It’s being promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing Promotions and is being intentionally scheduled to occur during the nearby International Boxing Hall of Fame’s inductee weekend.

Judah, a 44-9 native of Brooklyn, was one of the top names in boxing during the first decade of the 21st century. Although he frequently lost his biggest matches, the fighter has faced a laundry list of some of the sport’s marquee names throughout this career. Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather, Danny Garcia, Miguel Cotto, Paulie Malignaggi, Amir Khan, and Lucas Matthysse have all shared the ring with Judah. In his prime, the man held titles at junior welterweight and also earned the undisputed and lineal welterweight championship of the world.

Although the 23-1 Seldin doesn’t represent the high level fare Judah is known for having faced, the Long Islander is a colorful and exciting foe. Known as the “Hebrew Hammer,” Seldin is a popular, come forward brawler who came to the public through notable wins on ESPNs now defunct Friday Night Fights, and HBOs now defunct boxing programming. Given the colorful personalities and pedigrees of both fighters (especially the pedigree of Judah), the fight should at least generate some interest. The Judah-Seldin match is to be fought at junior welterweight. Whether it will be a scheduled ten or twelve round bout is reportedly yet to be determined.

Also to appear on the June 7th Turning Stone card is middleweight James “Buddy” McGirt Jr, son of the famous fighter turned trainer James “Buddy” McGirt, who will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of fame that very weekend. McGirt Jr. is scheduled to face David Papot in what will be the night’s co-main event. The entire card is expected to blend nicely with Hall of Fame weekend. “Boxing fans will…have an opportunity to socialize with Boxing Hall of Fame VIPs and inductees during Friday night’s title fight at Turning Stone,” reads a press release.

Posted on 01/22/2017

Judah and Webster Win at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton Saturday!
By: Ken Hissner

Boss Lady Promotions Rene Aiken returned to Trenton, NJ, Saturday night.

In the Main Event former six time world champion welterweight Zab “Super” Judah, 43-9 (30), of Brooklyn, NY, in a mismatch from the start stopped Jorge Luis Munguia, 13-8 (5), of Tegucigelpa, Honduras, at 1:27 of the second round.

In the opening round Judah went on the attack until a south of the border punch dropped Munguia. Instead of the referee Ronald Bashier calling it that way he gave an eight-count. In the second round no bell sounded and the referee gave the boxers the go ahead to start the round. After a clash of heads Judah went after Munguia knocking him to the canvas causing referee Bashir to wave it off. The fans were not happy with this one.

In the co-feature super middleweight southpaw Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster, 22-1 (11), won a boring ten round decision over Thomas Awimbono, 25-6-1 (21), of Accra, GH, for USBO Title.

In the opening round there was hardly a punch landed. In the second round there wasn’t much more contact and the fans continue to let the boxers know they are no happy. In the third round Awinbono opened up with a right hand to the much taller Webster’s chin. Webster finally threw combinations to the body of Awinbono as he is continually back pedaling. In the fourth round Webster was a “hit n’ run” artist. Awimbono is trying to make a fight of it but can’t seem to catch up to the constantly moving Webster. In the fifth round Webster fought in spurt’s ending the round in a flurry.

In the sixth round it’s been all Webster’s jab with a few flurries. In the seventh round some fans are yelling “we want a fight” causing Webster to open up until he received an exchange from Awinbono with a looping right to the chin. In the eighth round a right by Awinboro south of the border dropped Webster to his knees. Webster came back throwing punches until he got hit with a right to the head and tied up Awimbono. They spent the final minute with hardly a punch thrown. When the ring announcer said “this is the tenth and final round” the fans started to cheer. Webster continued moving around the ring content to take the decision.

Judges had it 100-90 and 98-92 twice. This writer had it “no contest”!

In the swing bout local favorite cruiserweight Mike “The Beast” Hilton, 5-0 (5), of Trenton, NJ, won with a couple of knockdowns in the fifth of a scheduled six over Eric George, 4-14 (10), of Niagra Falls, NY, at 2:33 of the round.

In the first two rounds Hilton kept holding George’s head down and hitting him without warning from referee Bashir. In the third round they were like “rock m’ sock em’ robots”. In the fourth round George’s mouthpiece went out for the third time causing referee Bashir to deduct a point from George. In the fifth round Hilton dropped George twice causing Bashir to wave it off. George put up a good showing.

Middleweight Jimmy Kellerher, 3-0 (3), of Scranton, PA, easily stopped Courtney McCleave, 2-6 (1), of Kannapolis, NC, at 2:36 of the second round.

In the opening round Kellerher dropped McCleave with a right to the back of the head. In the second round Kellerher kept hitting McCleave in the face with right hands having him out on his feet when referee Glover called a halt.

Welterweight Andy Gonzales, 5-1 (5), of Worcester, MASS, scored a knockout over Jason “Warrior” Wahr, 4-14-3 (1), of VA Beach, VA, at 0:32 of the first round.

In the opening round Gonzalez dropped Wahr with a wicked left hook to the midsection. Referee Glover counted him out.

Cruiserweight Bryan Daniels, 3-0 (1), of Worcester, MASS, won a hard fought decision over Damian Lewis, 0-3 (0), of Niagra Falls, NY, over four rounds.

In the first round the much taller Daniels controlled the round from start to finish. In the second round Daniels landed numerous punches to the body and head which seemed to have little effect on Lewis who occasionally got a punch in. Daniels ended the round with six uncontested punches. In the third round it was all Daniels until less than a minute to go when Lewis rocked Daniels twice with right uppercuts. In the fourth and final round Lewis rocked Daniels with a left hook to the chin. Daniels continued to land punches but Lewis just brushed them off like gnats. A pair of left uppercuts by Lewis knocked the head of Daniels back. Daniels came right back with a double left hook to the head of Lewis as the bell sounded.

Scores were 40-36 twice and 39-37. This writer had it 40-36.

In the opening bout cruiserweight Brandon Robinson, 1-1 (1), of Upper Darby, PA, stopped Jermaine Corley, 0-5 (0), of Concord, NC, @2:59 of the first round.

In the first round Robinson dropped Corley twice. The second time referee Ronald Bashier waved it off.

Boss Lady’s next show is April 1st at the Sun National Bank Arena.

Posted on 11/11/2016

Style Analysis: Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah
By: Sean Kim

The confrontation between Amir Khan and Zab Judah was a showcase of Khan’s masterful boxing skills and perhaps one of his most flawless performances to date. What he was able to accomplish against a highly talented fighter in Zab Judah was nothing short of extraordinary, as he was able to maintain mastery over the distance and pace and of the fight throughout the duration of all five rounds, all of which eventually led to a knockout of Judah before the end of the fifth.

Right from the first round, Khan was able to employ the usage of numerous jabs as he sought to control distance right away. Judah seemed to be depending too much on counter opportunities, the efforts of which were neutralized with Amir Khan’s incredible speed. To be able to counter off of any of Khan’s offensive should prove to be difficult for any adversaries.

Khan began to display a concentration on head hunting as he prevented Judah from using his straight left effectively, whether he would have intended to utilize it for counters or offensive maneuveurs. Ultimately, Khan’s tactical dominance right from the first round had rendered Judah hesitant, frustrated, and perplexed; a nightmare scenario for any boxer.

In the second round, Khan had thrown less comibnations. Despite his tendency to administer overwhelming combinations in swift flurries, Khan was much more patient during this round, showcasing his eslf-restraint and comprehension of timing. The fast-handed Khan was able to keep the fight at the center of the ring, as he continued to dominate in cerebral fashion.

Judah just could not succeed in throwing any singular effective punch due to Khan’s speed, jab and aggression. Judah should have thrown combinations or attacks to Khan’s body, but again, Khan’s speed, control of distance, as well as his height, reach and weight advantage proved to fluster Judah’s strategical concentrations.

In the third round, Khan was clearly extremely comfortable. Zab was mainly staying right in front of Khan rather than applying lateral movement. For him to just stand there while simultaneously being unable to finght back was exactly what Khan needed to truly overwhelm Zab not only physically, but mentally: rendering a boxer incapable of applying effective strategy.

Just when Judah would throw a jab, Khan would counter with a left hook with absolute ease. By this point in the fight, Kahn was able to throw anything he wished to at will, which was evident as he attacked Judah with even more flurries and devastating right hooks at any time of his choosing.

In the fifth round, the results of Khan’s perfect performance had led to a knockout of Judah. Leading up to the finish, Khan had been able to play the perfect chess match against Judah. No doubt many criticize Khan for having a weak chin who is only able to use his speed advantage to win him fights. Yet, what isn’t appreciated enough is Khan’s ability to remain calm in the ring as he immediately sets out to remove the strongest assets of his opponent’s arsenal, and ultimately set the pace to a comfortable rhythm where he can manipulate that very rhythm at a moment’s notice.

Against Zab Judah, Amir Khan was able to control every single aspect of the match from start to finish; a brilliant performance and certainly one of his greatest.