By Ryan Songalia (photo by Francisco Companioni)
It's difficult to fathom sometimes that, despite being one of boxing's most talked about fighters since 1996, Zab Judah is still only 32 years old.
That year, which marked the beginning of Clinton's second administration and the end of an 18-year World Series championship drought for the Yankees, saw Judah turn pro after falling short of making the Olympic team that went on to Atlanta.
The Brooklyn, NY native Judah promptly signed a promotional contract with Main Events. Together they won a world title in 2000 before splitting amicably in 2002.
And now the relationship comes full circle.
Judah, no longer a man-child but a seasoned veteran of the game, returns to the Main Events fold for one last run at a world title, beginning with former interim lightweight titlist Jose Armando Santa Cruz this Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The fight will be televised by ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights, beginning at 9PM EST/6PM PST.
The card will be promoted by Main Events in association with Judah's own Super Judah Promotions.
Main Events will be experimenting with a non-Tomasz Adamek attraction for only the second time since the inception of the "Brick City Boxing" series in December of 2008. The other show, headlined by John Duddy, only drew an estimated 2,500. Adamek's last fight at "The Rock" drew 10,123 this past February. Half of the arena will be partitioned off for this event, which also features local prospects Alex Perez, Patrick Farrell and 2008 Olympian Saddam Ali.
Judah, 38-6 (26 KO), will be returning to familiar territory; though born and raised in Brooklyn, Judah has lived in New Jersey since the age of 18. He will also be returning to a division that his father/trainer Yoel Judah has always felt was his best fit.
"Zab has always been a true junior welterweight. We went to 147 pounds because at one point in our career, we couldn't get no fights at 140."
The faces are all different from the last time Judah competed at 140 in 2003. Gone are former kingpins Kostya Tszyu and Sharmba Mitchell. In their place are Timothy Bradley, Amir Khan and Devon Alexander - all of whom were still amateurs in '03.
His first test back at 140 - Santa Cruz from Lincoln Heights, CA - is a competent challenger, if lacking in the speed department. Santa Cruz, 28-4 (17 KO), is a rugged volume puncher with a steady body assault but has struggled in his biggest challenges.
Of Santa Cruz's four defeats, two have come to left-handed fighters like Judah. One was a dubious decision loss to Joel Casamayor, and another was a come-from-behind knockout loss to David Diaz, who had upset Judah's Olympic bid in '96.
Santa Cruz's most recent defeat was a sixth-round knockout to Antonio Pitalua in 2008, in a fight where the 5-foot-10 Santa Cruz said he was compromised by making the lightweight limit.
"I think it's going to be one of my toughest fights because he's a very good fighter and he's fast," Santa Cruz said of the clash with Judah. "I've prepared really good and I came to give the best fight I can. I know that with my training, it's going to be a great fight on my part."
Like Judah, Santa Cruz is coming off of two consecutive wins against pedestrian opposition.
"We didn't pick an easy fight coming back," says Yoel Judah. "I feel he's a 147 pound Antonio Margarito - relentless, tall, keeps punching and can take a shot.
"My only focus right now is this man sitting over here," added Zab at the final press conference in North Bergen, NJ. "For three and a half months we had a big picture of this dude all day in the bag. I've done really deep focus on this man."
"Zab Judah has always been known for speed and power-punching," continued Judah, switching gears. "Jose Armando Santa Cruz has always been known for...let's leave it at that."
Despite winning titles in two divisions, including the undisputed welterweight title in 2005 with a win over Cory Spinks, Judah has never won "the big one". Judah has been competitive, having his moments of glory in the early rounds against Tszyu, Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Joshua Clottey before fading and being defeated.
Perhaps recognizing the dearth of the situation, Team Judah has employed the services of Eddie Mustafa Muhammad to round out their training team. Though Yoel Judah is still the chief second, Muhammad, who himself is a former world champion and Brooklyn native, has been brought in as a second voice.
"He's bringing energy and his experience," Zab Judah said of Muhammad, who also trains light-heavyweight champion Chad Dawson.
"It's like children. When you get older and your parents tell you stuff you'll be like, 'Yeah Ma, I heard you.' But when a new person comes along, you'll listen to him faster than your parents. Having my Dad in my corner and hearing his voice over and over again, this is a new vibe and energy. But my Dad is still there, he's still my number one guy."
Now in his 14th year as a professional, Judah says he has finally grown up and is ready to capitalize on the opportunities presented to him.
"Everybody comes to a point in their lives where they have to be a man someday. I was spoiled as a kid from boxing. It doesn't help being 18 years old and having so much money. They say from 18-25 are your peak years, and those were years where I thought I was invincible. I had a great career, money, fame. I had everything."
"He's been in the game so long and he strayed off," Yoel Judah says. "He won a couple of big fights and his head got big. This is a different guy now; he's more humble, he's more confident but more importantly he's hungry again. He wants one more run."
The 140 pound division, which lacks a definitive star, could use Judah's star power. He makes a recognizable dance partner for any of the titlists and could find himself in a matchup with any of those titlists with a win.
Still, Yoel Judah isn't shy about intimating his dream matchup.
"We'd love to get Manny Pacquiao at a catch weight of 145. Manny is truly a 40 pounder. Floyd plays too many games with the bloodwork and I know Manny Pacquiao isn't taking the tests 16 days before the fight. We have a little buzz going for Manny Pacquiao versus Zab Judah but if Devon Alexander, Amir Khan or Timothy Bradley want a little bit, be my guest." -RS
Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a contributor to GMA-7 News in the Philippines. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com . An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ryansongalia
