On Friday (July 16), former welterweight champion Jab Judah (37-6, 25 KOs) begins the next phase of his comeback by facing Jose Armando Santa Cruz (28-4, 17 KOs) on ESPN 2.
Judah is trying to reverse a downward spiral that began with his shocking upset loss to unheralded Carlos Baldomir in early 2006. At the time, Judah was the undisputed welterweight champion and the fight was supposed to be a showcase night to build hype for his Floyd Mayweather showdown later that year.
Instead, an overconfident Judah was walked down and hurt several times against a limited and slow Baldomir. The Brooklynite was still able to land the Mayweather fight, but lost a competitive decision.
Judah has fought 7 times since then, going 4-2 with 1 No Contest. The defeats have been losses to the two best fighters he’s faced during this stretch (Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey).
At 32, Judah’s time frame to make another impact is short. His efforts to test the waters back at 140 and secure a fight with Devon Alexander fell short, but Zab is still seeking to re-establish his name at junior welterweight. Judah’s recent wins have been against no hopers, and this is his chance to make a statement on national TV to remind fans that he is still a capable and dangerous fighter.
Jose Armando Santa Cruz has been campaigning at 140 pounds for the last year since being knocked out in a WBC lightweight eliminator against Miguel Angel Munguia in 2008. Standing at 5’10 he remains a very tall fighter even at junior welterweight. However, Cruz is a fighter that likes to compromise his height by trading in close.
Cruz’s best opponents to date have been David Diaz and Joel Casamayor. He lost the Diaz fight by TKO, but the Casamayor fight is considered a huge robbery (Cruz lost a highly controversial split decision after dropping Joel in the 1st).
Overall, this is a highly favorable matchup for Judah if he is focused (and that is a big IF). Cruz is a slow upright pugilist, and the Brooklynite should be able to easily control and potshot Cruz from the outside. The big concern for Judah fans should be Cruz’s preference for trench warfare. Judah is not a good inside fighter, and if his stamina is not up to par he usually takes punishment languishing there. But unlike a previous tough journeyman opponent in Carlos Baldomir, Cruz does not possess the granite chin to see him through Zab’s early firepower.
You can never be too sure with Zab Judah, but I think he makes a statement and gets a TKO stoppage between rounds 5 and 7. And because he has a recognizable name in a sport that’s struggling to make stars outside of Mayweather and Pacquiao, the win will ensure that Judah gets another HBO date.
Judah vs. Cruz will be ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights main event. Check your local listings for times.
Judah’s last fight in November 2009
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
this guy has to be one of the most under acheiving boxers in boxing history.ive never seen a fighter with this much potential end up so garbage.this guy has (or had by now)speed to match pretty much anybody in the game,good power,and defense that reminded me of sweet pea.unfortunately he has 0 discipline.its really a shame when you think about it.