Boxing News Boxing News
Nearly 10 years after losing his IBF light welter title against Kostya Tszyu, Zab Judah put on an impressive performance Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ to once again put the red and gold belt around his waist.
The New York southpaw did well to keep his composure against aggressive brawler Kaiser Mabuza, never allowing the pressure put on by the South African to change his game plan.
Mabuza tried to repeat the past successes of Judah victors Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto and Carlos Baldomir but the rangy slugger didn’t possess the boxing skills of those world champions and Judah did well to take advantage of that difference.
Judah was able to use his edge in quickness and solid footwork to avoid the charges of Mabuza early in the contest and getting ahead on the scorecards.
In the fourth Judah’s glove touched the canvas and he was accessed a knockdown but he wasn’t hurt.
Mabuza started to punish the veteran in the sixth when Judah began to slow down but could not seriously hurt the former welterweight champion.
In the seventh, Judah took advantage of Mabuza’s defensive lapses and landed a perfect left hand that had the South African down and in deep trouble.
Somehow Mabuza beat the count but he was in no shape to defend himself from Judah’s follow up attack and the bout was over after Mabuza was canvassed again at 0:59 of the round.
Judah improves to 41-6 (28) and wins his first world title bout since 2005 while Mabuza drops to 23-7-3 (14).
