Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York - Junior welterweights Zab Judah (41-7, 38KOs) and Vernon Paris (26-0, 15KOs) made weight for their IBF final eliminator on Saturday night. Both boxers came in at 138-pounds. Judah, a former two division champion, was in superb shape. A lot of back and forth trash talk by both boxers, who promise firworks in the NBC Sports televised fight. Photos by Damien Acevedo.
Kendall Holt and Vernon Paris exchanged pleasantries the last time they crossed paths. It is highly unlikely that’ll happen again Saturday night at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn. Paris surprised Holt following a cordial encounter nearly 14 months ago at The Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., by repeatedly attacking the former WBO junior welterweight champion on Facebook and Twitter over the past year.
NEW YORK — Their fight was surprisingly easy for Amir Khan, so completely unproblematic that plenty of boxing observers believe it signaled the beginning of the end of Zab Judah’s star-crossed career.
When the NBC Sports Network presents the second edition of its nationally televised "Fight Night" boxing series on March 24, live at 10PM ET, from the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach will once again join Kenny Rice, BJ Flores and Chris Mannix as part of the broadcast team. Roach made his "Fight Night" debut in January, and brings a world of boxing knowledge to his new role as a ringside commentator.
There was a time during his star-crossed career when Zab Judah was among boxing’s brashest trash-talkers.
Ever since he decided nearly two years ago to return to the 140 lb. division, speculation began as to how much longer Zab Judah could extend his stay at the championship level.
Zab Judah has officially poked the bear. Unbeaten 140 lb. contender Vernon Paris took none too kindly to recent remarks made by Judah in hyping up their March 24 title eliminator at the Aviator Arena in Brooklyn. NBC Sports Network will televise the bout, in which the winner will be guaranteed a title shot against whoever is victorious in the May 19 rematch between Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan.
LAS VEGAS - Zab Judah, 41-8, 28 KOs, is ready for his Brooklyn homecoming on March 24th, and looks forward to earning another title shot before his local fans.
Kalamazoo, MI - Undefeated Junior Welterweight Vernon Paris, 26-0, 15 KOs, is already in the best shape of his career and looks forward to his big opportunity against Zab Judah on March 24th at the Aviator Sports Complex, in Judah's hometown of Brooklyn, NY. The 24-year old fighter known as the "Ice Man" sees his fight on the NBC Sports Network Fight Night broadcast as the chance he's been waiting for. The broadcast will begin at 10pm ET.
The contracts have been signed and filed with the IBF and tickets will go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, Feb 9th. Brooklyn will be the host site on Saturday, March 24th when Zab "Super" Judah fights in his native borough for the first time in his storied pro career vs. "The Iceman," Detroit's undefeated Vernon Paris. This is the mandated junior welterweight elimination bout for the right to become the number one contender in the IBF.