SaddoBoxing Writer’s Predict: Zab Judah vs. Cosme Rivera.

That stage was set for a dramatic conclusion to the evening’s boxing. Cory Spinks made a glamorous entrance to the ring, accompanied by Rap star Nelly as he played to the record setting St. Louis crowd in attendance. Meanwhile, Zab Judah seethed in the ring, aching for retribution to right the blemish staining his record from his loss to Spinks. Before the end of nine rounds, Judah took everything away from Spinks and sent him packing to the light middleweight division. One could say that the title of undisputed welterweight champion is one befitting Judah’s talents; I say the best is yet to come as his performance in the Spinks rematch melded his speed and power with patience and maturity of temperament. Super-fights await Judah in the future, but first, he honors a mandatory obligation to the IBF and its challenger Cosme Rivera, a man who earned his chance the hard way, by beating all logically ranked opposition until receiving his chance. Can Rivera dethrone the new champion at his first hurdle, or will Judah usher in a new era of dominance in the welterweight division? Check in with the SaddoBoxing.com writers to find out what they think.

Lee Bellfield: Judah is coming off a great win in his last bout against Cory Spinks and is looking to build on the momentum. I see a late stoppage for Zab here.

Katrina Walters: I believe that Zab Judah will impressively pull out the win over mandatory challenger Cosme Rivera.

Rupert Wricklemarsh: Judah performed excellently in the Spinks fight, concentrating on the opponent rather than the crowd. Rivera is a typical Mexican fighter, turning professional young and learning his trade the hard way. He has seven decision losses, but is undefeated, in seven fights, since moving up to welterweight and is on a four fight KO streak. Judah will be full of confidence coming into this fight and I think that will be his undoing. Zab will showboat early thinking he can win anytime, but Cosme will be in his face the whole fight. Cosme on points.

Richard Eberline: Cosme Rivera comes into this fight an unknown quantity in many people’s eyes but he is a quality fighter, just probably not a world champion quality fighter. Like Judah, Rivera comes from the light welterweight ranks where he won the NABO belt against Hector Quiroz but lost a few bouts later against Ricky Quiles. The Mexican does hold wins over Golden Johnson, Hercules Kyvelos and James Hare but I just can’t see him beating Judah. The New Yorker will be far too fast of foot and hand in my opinion and Judah seemed to grow up after the Spinks loss, which will surely help in this match-up with Rivera. Judah by unanimous decision.

Matt Cotterell: I think this one has twelve rounds written all over it. Rivera’s no world-beater but he’ll be game, and by all accounts, he has a good chin. Zab has a tendency to coast and not be at his best for fights like this and I think this will be the case as he does just enough to keep his nose in front for the duration; no thrills no spills just a points victory for Judah.

Jim Cawkwell: I cannot see anything in Rivera’s professional past to inspire any fear in Judah whatsoever. Rivera demonstrated a good chin in fairly modest company, but Judah possesses power the like of which the Mexican challenger may never have felt before. I feel that many people are short-selling Judah’s attentions here, mistaking him for the Judah of old that might take Rivera lightly. I saw maturity in Judah’s win over Cory Spinks in solving a difficult technical riddle before administering a knockout in style. Judah knows what prizes await him and the consequences of a slip-up here and he will put Rivera away before the midway point of the fight.

William Wolfrum: As with all Judah fights against inferior opponents, this fight is 45 percent “Judah in a brilliant performance,” 45 percent “Judah in a ho-hum affair,” or 10 percent “Judah goofs off and gets flattened.” The possibility is always there that Cosme (I love that name) will continue his hot streak and do something great against Zab. The thinking here is, however, he’ll just be way out of his league. Judah wins with an early stoppage.

Shaun Rico LaWhorn: Zab Judah (33-2-24 KOs) stepping into the ring with Cosme Rivera (28-7-20 KOs) is more of fight to keep the champion busy. When Judah is focused and determined, he is one of the best welterweights in the game. When he is flashy and stubborn, he will lose. Yet, I see this fight as a good work out for the champion. A slugfest and an eighth round knockout for Judah.

Sergio Martinez: The chief supporting bout between Rivera vs. Judah should be a very entertaining bout, if Judah decides to trade some leather. Zab can stink out a joint when he wants to (remember the Corley fight?). I’m going to go with the upset on this one. I just don’t think “Super” Judah is going to keep his focus on this guy, and will overlook “Chino.” This is going to be a big mistake as Rivera is coming into his own as a fighter and is really strong. Zab’s chin will be tested as Rivera can pop, and Judah will have to probably come off the canvas. I say Rivera will win a close, razor sharp split decision.

James MacDonald: Judah will win this fight by a technical knockout in the ninth round.

Greig Johnston: The question here is not who will win, but whether or not Rivera can remain upright until the final bell. He’s never been stopped before, but I’ll take Judah to become the first man to do so, provided he’s properly focused. With a fall match-up with Oscar de la Hoya looming large, my guess is he will be. Judah by knockout in six rounds.

Edwin Gonzalez: I am confident to say that the days of wondering which Zab Judah is going to show up are over. In what will be his first title defense, the IBF could not have picked a more durable opponent in Cosme Rivera. Cosme is as tough as they come, and Zab has is hands full come tomorrow night, and I expect Zab to not take him lightly. Contrary to popular belief, Zab has his back against the wall yet again. It is imperative that Zab has an impressive outing, because if he doesn’t, what happened this past February in St. Louis won’t mean a thing. Also, if ever plans on headlining a pay-per-view event for that ten-million dollar payday possibly against Oscar de la Hoya, Zab must look good and win convincingly. A lopsided unanimous decision is good, but a knockout would be even better.

Knocking out Cosme out is no easy task. In fact, in thirty-seven professional fights he has never even been down. Throughout his career he has been matched up with some big punchers like Wilfredo Negron and Diosbelys Hurtado; obviously they didn’t have what it took to put him away, maybe Zab does and will. Time will tell. How Zab overcomes tomorrow night’s obstacle will determine if Zab belongs with the elite of boxing. This is what will separate the men from the boys. The question of what type of champion Zab is and will be, will be answered.

So my official prediction is that Zab Judah will put on a clinic and win an easy unanimous decision, setting up bigger fights and bigger paydays in the near future. Thank you and enjoy!

Want to join the SaddoBoxing.com team? Contact Jim Cawkwell at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk