Spinks-Judah II Review.

It is refreshing to know that we are experiencing an era in which boxing events are living up to, and often exceeding their expectations. The record-breaking attendance figure demonstrated that the promotion had already captured

the public’s imagination, but the atmosphere that emanated from the audience in the Savvis Center ensured that the first major boxing night to grace St. Louis in forty years will not remain unaccompanied for so long. Although Zab Judah marked this historical night with a victory and the achievement of becoming the undisputed welterweight champion, I cannot look upon Cory Spinks as a loser. Spinks, often so underrated as a fighter, quietly confident and reserved in his demeanor, stepped to the ring and outside of himself, dancing alongside famed hip-hop star Nelly before the adoring capacity crowd. Spinks’ showmanship was not gaudy or overstated, it was fitting, it was about pride, it was a fantastic boost for boxing’s battered image….and it thoroughly incensed Zab Judah.

An awesome aura once surrounded Judah, his speed and power instilled a fear in his opponents and a surety in most observers that he was destined for greatness. However, just as a laser-guided missile can leave its target in ruins, the weapon of mass destruction that is Kostya Tszyu’s right hand left Judah’s career in similar devastation. Judah’s image was perhaps irreparably harmed by his misguided outburst towards referee Jay Nady in the wake of that loss. Judah had always received immense critique for his performances, such is the case when so much is expected of a fighter, but whispers of squandered talent began to resonate throughout the industry along with the wonder of whether Judah possessed the maturity to evolve into a great fighter after all. Watching Judah pace back and forth like the Tyson animal of old, caged in his frustration at Spinks’ pre-fight performance, I wondered again if Judah’s incredible talent would once again suffer at the hands of his own impetuousness.

But something had changed. The fight was technical, based on movement, so much so that one wondered how two men who were brought together to hit one another could miss as much as they did. The speed of both fighters was supernatural as they postured and maneuvered for position, throwing themselves into a one-punch attack before quickly recoiling back to safety. The miniscule elements of milliseconds and millimeters kept them a world apart for much of the fight, but Judah’s frustration was even further at bay. He stalked patiently, often managing to out-box what in Cory Spinks was one of the slickest southpaw boxers in the world. And when Judah’s power finally told, he seemed reticent to employ its full wrath. Spinks absorbed punches hard enough to fell any welterweight in the world and still he remained on his feet, reeling in the final throes of his championship reign as Judah looked to referee Armando Garcia to end the St. Louis fighter’s misery.

It was a performance signaling Judah’s maturity in full bloom, as he would later state that he could see the hurt he had inflicted upon Spinks and that he had no desire to do any more than win. Only one spiteful gesture was given from the new undisputed welterweight champion of the world in that final moment. Judah launched into Spinks for the last time before Garcia confirmed his victory, and at that moment, Spinks’ outspoken corner-man Kevin Cunningham appeared on the ring apron at his fighter’s side. Judah took the golden opportunity to plant a celebratory kiss on Cunningham’s face, a perfect retort to Cunningham’s pre-fight dismissals of Judah and a reminder that the final say in this case came from the fists of a champion.

And now, we need not wonder whether the legacy of ZabJudah will pass without the distinction we once felt it was due. Judah is the undisputed welterweight champion of the world, a two-weight world champion, a skilled boxer who still possesses that speed and power except now, he will have an abundance of elite competitors to use them against. Judah’s glory coincides beautifully with the return to the 147-pound ranks of Oscar de la Hoya and Shane Mosley, fighters who perhaps made for mediocre middleweights but are certainly welcome as welterweights. Spinks, just as Judah was against Tszyu, was saved from absorbing a career-damaging amount of punishment and he will return to the championship fold. Considering the wealth of talent in the welterweight division and the fact that Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Miguel Cotto and Arturo Gatti are only seven pounds adrift, the exciting possibilities are endless.

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk