Boxing Preview Analysis: Miguel Cotto vs. Zab Judah

Photo ©Jim Everett/SaddoBoxing

It’s another big fight night at New York’s Madison Square Garden tonight when Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto defends his WBA Welterweight title against American Zab Judah.

It’s an interesting bout and I think Cotto’s toughest test in the pro ranks. A pro since 1996, Judah has won titles at two different weights.

Strangely enough, he is most remembered for controversy. In November 2001, in a 140 pound unification bout against Kostya Tszyu, Judah was stopped in two rounds. In protesting the decision, he physically threatened referee Jay Nady, sparking crowd trouble.

That blip aside, which Judah has duly been punished for, the American is a crafty southpaw with enough power I think to make this an intersting evening.

Cotto, although undefeated, has proven that he can be tagged and hurt. In bouts at junior welterweight against Ricardo Torres and Demarcus Corley, he was hurt badly before recovering to win.

As for Judah, we all know that his chin can be tagged too, although his only stoppage defeat was against Tszyu in 2001.

For me, it’s an evenly matched bout that could go either way. Both men are talented but both men are also vulnerable. Cotto around the whiskers and Judah in the head; that could be a cynical assumptio,n but I think it’s very true.

It’s a fight that I see going one of three ways; Cotto, although powerful, is still a small welterweight, as is Judah. Judah, however, will hold a five inch reach advantage and could frustrate Cotto early and box his way to a victory.

The other scenario is that Cotto could be caught cold by Judah early. Cotto, although skilled, can be very mechanical and Zab could exploit this. Don’t forget that the slick Judah had his moments against Floyd Mayweather last year.

However, the ending I see is scenario three. Cotto, for his faults, has the heart of a lion and an undefeated fighter is a hard fighter to beat. Judah has been very inconsistent over the last few years, so it’s hard to predict which one will turn up in New York on Saturday Night.

I’m going to go for the undefeated Cotto to grind Judah down after a slow start to win either by points or a late stoppage.