ZAB JUDAH

updated July 17, 2008

Even though Zab Judah is one of the fastest-punching fighters ever, it doesn't mean the former undisputed world welterweight champion hasn't had to face and bounce back from adversity. He's had to do it over and over again, having been a boxer since age 6. It is the only job he has ever known. He compiled an extraordinary 110-5 amateur record, was a two-time U.S. national champion, three-time New York Golden Gloves champion and won the 1996 PAL Nationals.

One of nine brothers and two sisters-five of the brothers box-Zab is the son of Yoel Judah, a six-time kickboxing world champion who is also his trainer.

Judah turned pro at age 18 on Sept. 20, 1996, and scored a second-round TKO over Michael Johnson. His next five fights also ended early, including three in the opening round.

Judah captured the interim International Boxing Federation junior welterweight title with a fourth-round KO over Wilfredo Negron Jan. 16, 1999, in Las Vegas. Judah settled down after a wild start and won every round. He knocked Negron down three times in the fourth (all with right hands), before the referee stopped the contest at 1:44 of the round.

Judah received his first shot at a world title when he fought Jan Bergman of South Africa for the vacant IBF light welterweight title on Feb. 12, 2000, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. Judah came out throwing blistering shots and knocked Bergman down twice in the opening round. The first knockdown came on a right hand that staggered Bergman, which was followed by a grazing left that put Bergman on the canvas again.

It didn't take long for Judah to serve notice that he was still a force to be reckoned with in the 140-pound division. On July 12, 2003, he won the World Boxing Organization junior welterweight crown with a 12-round split decision over defending champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley in Las Vegas.

Before his Dec. 13, 2003, questions swirled around WBO junior welterweight champion Zab Judah: Is his left hand 100 percent? Will he take Jaime Rangel lightly? Will he remain poised and relaxed, or will he enter the ring too pumped? Before the end of the first-round, Judah left no doubt as to the answers. With a punishing blow to Rangel's temple followed by a right hook, Judah won a dramatic knockout victory just 72 seconds into the fight and made good on his promise to "steal the show" on a night that featured eight championship fights.

Following this dramatic victory, Zab moved up to welterweight to challenge undisputed champion Cory Spinks in an important fight for both men in Las Vegas on April 10, 2004. Judah was stepping up in weight for the first time in his career, and Spinks was out to prove his victory over Ricardo Mayorga to unify the welterweight crown was no fluke. In the 12-round battle that ensued, momentum swung between the two combatants, with both fighters getting knocked down. Some ringside observers felt if the bout lasted another minute, Judah would have prevailed, but the "Spinks Jinx" held. Zab won the respect of the boxing world, but lost the decision to Spinks.

Spinks agreed to the rematch in his hometown of St. Louis at Savvis Center on Feb. 5, 2005. To say Judah was in hostile territory when he entered the ring would be an understatement. What he had on his side was his experience and the type of maturity, at age 27, that only comes with time.

While Spinks attempted to control Judah in the early rounds with his quick stick-and-move style that worked so well for him in their first fight, Judah stalked him relentlessly, forcing a fight on Spinks that he didn't want to participate in. Near the end of round seven, Judah rocked Spinks right at the bell, but referee Armando Garcia ruled it a push. Spinks reeled from Judah's attack in the eighth but held his ground.

Spinks appeared to be fully recovered in the ninth round when Judah scored again with a long left cross that rattled Spinks before Judah immediately dropped a right hook that dropped the undisputed champion. On unsteady legs, Spinks marched on with Judah stalking his wounded prey. In an amazing act of sportsmanship reflecting the tremendous respect these two fighters had for each other, Judah dropped his hands to his waist, imploring referee Garcia to stop him from further injuring his friend.

At the age of 30, Zab is a 11-year pro. A naturally lefthanded top contender at 147 pounds, he is a former The Ring and undisputed WBA-WBC-IBF welterweight world champion, and former IBF and WBO jr. welterweight world champion.

He has won two fights in a row since his epic battle against WBA welterweight world champion Miguel Cotto in June, 2007.

Zab’s professional career has been from one extreme to the other: from his best - winning the undisputed welterweight championship with a sensational performance against defending champion Cory Spinks; to his worst - inciting or participating in near-riots at his fights against Kostya Tszyu (after being knocked out by one punch) and Floyd Mayweather (after Zab landed a low blow and Mayweather’s chief second entered the ring). The Nevada commission fined Zab $75,000 and suspended him for six months after the Tszyu fight, and fined him $250,000 and suspended him for a year after the Mayweather fight

But he has been consistent throughout his amateur and professional careers, however, in one regard – Zab has fought at the highest levels of competition and always finished at or near the top.

After the Cotto fight Dan Rafael wrote on ESPN.com [excerpts]: Cotto’s thrilling brawl with Judah...had everything you want to see in a prize fight: great two-way action, drama, knockdowns, blood, high skill level, both fighters showing heart and an awesome atmosphere second to none inside historic Madison Square Garden. It was a truly special night as a record 20,658 packed every nook and cranny of the grand old building on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade. Most were there to root for Puerto Rican star Cotto, but many were also there to root for Brooklyn’s Judah, the former undisputed champion. What they all got was a terrific overall card and an unforgettable action fight in the main event, one in which Cotto proved just too strong for Judah, who performed bravely in defeat. We credit him for showing immense heart. Even though he lost, he gave us a reason to want to see him again.

In January, 2006, he lost the WBC and WBA welterweight world titles by 12 round unanimous decision against underdog Carlos Baldomir - it was Zab’s first fight in his hometown as a world champion, and the first time he had headlined in the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The IBF welterweight world title was not at stake.

He won the WBA-WBC-IBF welterweight world titles in February, 2005, with a ninth-round TKO win against defending champion Cory Spinks. It was a sensational performance that put Zab among the world’s elite fighters.

Zab is also a former two-time jr. welterweight world champion. He won the IBF jr. welterweight world title at the age of 22 in February, 2000, and made five successful defenses over the next 21 months. He won the WBO jr. welterweight world title at 26 in July, 2003, and made one successful defense before he moved up to the 147-pound division in April, 2004.

He is experienced against top opposition, and has fought current world champion Miguel Cotto (TKOby11) and former world champions Cory Spinks twice (TKO9, L12), Carlos Baldomir (L12), Rafael Pineda (W12), DeMarcus Corley (W12), Kostya Tszyu (TKOby2), and Terronn Millett (TKO4). He also has impressive wins against contenders Omar Weis (W10), Reggie Green (TKO10), Junior Witter (W12), Jan Bergman (KO4), and Micky Ward (W12).

Regarding his nickname, Zab said, “My father started calling me right when I started my professional career. He said, ‘Everything you do is super.’ ”