By Lem Satterfield
BoxingScene.com caught up to Main Events CEO, Kathy Duva, concerning the future of southpaw four-time titlist and IBF junior welterweight king, Zab Judah, as it relates to eight-division champion and WBO welterweight belt-holder Manny Paquiao and WBA junior welterweight counter part Amir Khan.
The 33-year-old Judah (41-6, 28 knockouts) is coming off of his fifth straight victory and his third stoppage during that stretch with a March, seventh-round knockout of Kaizer Mabuza (23-7-3, 14 KOs), whose run of eight consecutive wins and six knockouts came to an end.
Trained by 47-year-old southpaw former four-division world champion Pernell Whitaker, Judah is on a short list of opponents being considered by Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum for the 32-year-old Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs), who is coming off of Saturday night's unanimous decision over five-time titlist Shane Mosley (46-7-1, 39KOs).
Duva believes that Judah has earned the right to be in a big fight with Pacquiao given his win over Mabuza, November's split-decision over 28-year-old Lucas Matthysse (27-1, 25 KOs), and his status as both a former holder of the WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight belts as well as a former titlist with IBF and WBO junior welterweight crowns.
Other possibilities for Pacquiao are a third bout against WBO and WBC lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs), or one against WBO and WBC champion, Tim Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs), who appears to be passing up a potential July 23 clash opposite Khan (25-1, 17 KOs)
Although she would prefer Pacquiao, Duva, said that she is also pursuing Khan for Judah through Golden Boy Promotions and its CEO, Richard Schaefer.
Judah's career losses have all been to former world champs, including decisions to Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 15 KOs), Joshua Clottey, Cory Spinks and Carlos Baldomir, and, an 11th-round knockout loss to current WBA junior middleweight king Miguel Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs) -- all of which were contested in the welterweight category.
Another defeat was suffered against Kostya Tszyu by second-round knockout as a junior welterweight.
Below are some Duva's thoughts about the future of Judah, who, at one time, was the undisputed welterweight king after dethroning Spinks by ninth-round knockout.
Duva on Judah fighting Pacquiao:
As I watched the Pacquiao fight last Saturday all I could think was, 'Boy I wish I could get this guy in the ring with Zab.' But according to Bob Arum, Pacquiao will fight Marquez in November. But if that doesn’t happen, then Judah is most anxious to be Pacquiao’s next opponent.
On the potential for a fight between Judah and Kahn:
I began to hear rumors a few weeks ago that Timothy Bradley is not interested in fighting Amir Khan in July. So I told Richard Schaefer and HBO that Zab would be ready, willing and able to face Khan on July 23.
I also put Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on hold for July 23, just in case. When I spoke with the people at HBO earlier this week, they said that they are still trying to make the Bradley fight.
On her general thoughts about Judah:
There are a lot of talented fighters in the 140 pound division. Most of them -- even those who have been fighting on HBO and Showtime -- are still relatively unknown to the general public.
Zab Judah is one of those performers who transcends boxing because he is known to casual sports fans. Zab is also the rare 'boxer' who is not boring to watch because he can punch.
Paired with Pernell Whitaker, Zab Judah is now an unstoppable force with an intriguing back story. Zab has earned his way into the mix by defeating the division’s biggest puncher in Matthysse, and by winning the IBF title against Mabuza.
Zab has the biggest name and the biggest following of all the reigning junior welterweight champions. In the end, Bradley-Devon Alexander fizzled. That will never happen with Zab, who is the match that will ignite the fuse in his division and cause the explosion that everyone’s been waiting for.
There are a number of high level entertaining fights which can and should be made. But what I know for sure is that Zab will make an exciting fight with any number of champions and contenders.
And Zab Judah is willing to fight them all. This should be interesting.