“He’s like Pernell Whitaker with power!” -Max Kellerman early in Zab Judah’s career
NEWARK, New Jersey–Years after Kellerman’s hyperbole-heavy above comment, Zab Judah (41-6, 28 KOs) gave it a small semblance of truth Saturday night with defense-centered, 7th round TKO over Kaizer Mabuza (23-7-3, 14 KOs) at the Prudential Center. Now being trained by the legendary Pernell Whitaker, Judah spent most of the previous rounds focusing on defense and making Mabuza miss. Judah’s defensive moves came at the expense of his offense, as Mabuza outworked him in several rounds. Judah also suffered a flash knockdown in the fourth when a Mabuza right caused the Brooklynite’s right glove to touch the canvas.
The end came when Judah countered Mabuza with a sneaky straight left. Mabuza went careening into the ropes. He didn’t go down despite his senses being completely scrambled during the standing eight-count. Judah immediately pounced with a flurry of hooks to secure the stoppage.
The win gives Judah the vacant IBF title that was stripped from Devon Alexander before his January fight with Timothy Bradley. It is Judah’s second title reign at junior welterweight.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 