By Robert Brizel July 30th, 2010 All Ringside Boxing
Last Friday in the main event of a seven bout fight card at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Zab Judah of Brooklyn, New York, scored a third round stoppage of Jose Armando Santa Cruz of Michoacan, Mexico. The card was co-promoted by Kathy Duva's Main Events and Super Judah.
Judah, fighting at light welterweight for the first time since 2003, and at 141- his lowest weight in seven years - felt out his opponent for two rounds before closing out the show.
Santa Cruz has 17 knockouts in 28 fights and he came into Newark with a game plan. He came forward immediately and tried to fight Zab on the inside. Santa Cruz , who had size and a 2 1/2 inch reach advantage over Judah, just could not capitalize, however. Judah worked his jabs while moving to the right, slipping punches. Santa Cruz looked for openings but kept missing short, then getting tied up by Zab.
Judah was playing with his opponent for all three rounds. Santa Cruz landed several weak combinations on Judah that scored, rattling his cage. Judah 'woke up', landing a right hook which sent Santa Cruz face first to the canvas. Santa Cruz beat the count, but was done, whereby Judah landed a left-right and left-right to the head, with Santa Cruz helpless on the ropes, ending the contest at 2:33 of the third. More...