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Yusaf Mack was once considered one of the hottest prospects in the sport and was being lined up as a potential opponent for Joe Calzaghe. Then Alejandro Berrio ripped Mack’s world apart, literally kissing his dream of a world title shot goodbye, when kissing him on the forehead before hurting, stopping and exposing Mack as a weight drained, badly prepared, super middleweight.
Mack came back to beat a limited Jose Juan Vazquez before taking yet another gamble, against tough world title contender, Librado Andrade. Once again, despite a good start, Mack’s stamina and poor preparation let him down, when his legs gave out in the 7th round with barely a punch landing. Mack showed heart in trying to continue, but his dehydrated body once again refused to support his ambition.
During a six month lay-off, in which Mack worked exceptionally hard to improve his overall conditioning, strength and stamina, he then took a sensible step up to the light heavyweight division returned to the ring a new man, stopping tough Mexican journeyman, Ernesto Zamora in the 2nd round.
Mack then went straight back into training, and less than seven weeks later he faced ranked light heavyweight, Daniel Judah, a southpaw who has given a lot of good fighters, such as Glen Johnson, plenty of trouble, and who also has the ability to nullify his opponent’s style, forcing them into his preferred battle plan.
Judah, the bigger man, was coming down from cruiserweight, and with Mack stepping up from super middleweight, there was almost a 30 lb difference in their weights from only a year ago.
Mack was taking a big risk and was considered by many as the underdog as he had fallen short when stepping up to that level previously. Judah had already more than held his own with the top men of a higher weight division. Both fighters were confident that a win here would lift them back into title contention and the pot was sweetened when the vacant NABA title was entered into the equation.
Judah talked at length regarding his improved mental state. He had been training out in California and by all accounts. his preparation had gone well. Judah was back to his preferred weight and was ready to upset the comeback of Mack and get himself back into the mix of the top light heavyweights.
Both men weighed in just under the limit of 175 lb and both looked in tremendous condition. Judah’s entourage caused a stir at the weigh-in with the trash talk being led by Mike Tyson’s former cheerleader, “Crocodile” Steve Fitch, who’s screams of “guerrilla warfare” failed to spark any reaction from Mack.
Judah weighed in first, then immediately, as if relieved to have made the weight at first attempt, started to taunt Mack, saying that Mack was coming to his backyard. Mack simply replied “All or nothing” in regard to the purses. This immediately quieted Judah, who made a swift exit.
The night of the fight arrived and both men entered the ring looking confident. As they squared off, Judah had obviously the height advantage, but Mack took control of the opening round by holding the centre of the ring and working behind a quick jab.
Judah fought back well and it was a relatively close opening round, but Mack had started the better. In the second round, Judah found himself on the canvas for only the second time of his career when Mack landed a solid right hook off a double jab.
Judah rose quickly and although seemed a little unsteady, his head was clear as he immediately apologised to his corner, saying “Yes, sorry I know, my fault, my fault”. Mack didn’t rush in recklessly, as he has been known to do in the past, but rather controlled his attack, although unfortunately, he ran out of time for the finish as the bell ended the round.
Judah picked himself up well in the third and came out strong, working behind a solid jab and used his superior height advantage, not allowing Mack inside, and won his first round of the fight.
Mack came back strongly in the 4th and took control of the fight, once again from the centre of the ring. He was relaxed and controlled, he didn’t waste many punches and landed some big shots as the fight progressed.
But Judah, who is renown for having an iron chin, took the shots well, often shaking his head in defiance. However, Mack stayed on top, out-working Judah in the remaining rounds. in the final round Judah came out for one last big attack, swinging wildly with hooks, knowing he was behind on the cards, desperately trying to get the stoppage. Mack was still full of the energy he had in the opening round and easily avoided the big shots, firing back with his own hard punches.
The final bell sounded as Mack raised his arms in the air, while a well-beaten Judah walked a little dejected back to his corner knowing full well the outcome. Mack had stuck with his game plan and totally out-boxed Judah for the duration, working on a number of things including control, punch selection and also proved that his former stamina problems were now in the past. The scores of the contest were 97-92 in the eyes of all three judges and Yusaf Mack was crowned the new NABA champion.
Things are certainly back on the up for Mack, who was later named June’s NABA boxer of the month. He is also looking to be included in the top 10 WBA rankings and Mack and his team believe that he will be a real force in a division desperate for some new blood. Mack is looking to continue his rise through the rankings and hopefully get a title shot early next year, after a few more good wins.
