Zab Judah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zab Judah
Judah in 2010
Statistics
Real name	Zabdiel Judah
Nickname(s)	Super
Rated at	Light welterweight Welterweight Light middleweight
Height	5 ft 7 in
Reach	72 in
Born	(1977-10-27) October 27, 1977 (age 47) New York City, New York, U.S.
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	56
Wins	44
Wins by KO	30
Losses	10
No contests	2

Zabdiel Judah, born on October 27, 1977, is an American former professional boxer. He competed in boxing matches from 1996 to 2019. Zab Judah won many world boxing titles in two different weight groups. In 2005, he was the undisputed champion in the welterweight division. He also held titles from the IBF and WBO in the junior welterweight group from 2000 to 2004. He won the IBF title again in 2011. His boxing career ended in 2019 after a serious injury during a fight.

Zab Judah's Early Boxing Days

Zab Judah started boxing when he was only six years old. As an amateur boxer, he had an amazing record of 110 wins and only 5 losses. He won the US national championship twice. He also became the New York Golden Gloves Champion three times. In 1996, he won the PAL National Championship.

Judah beat other famous boxers like Ishe Smith and Hector Camacho Jr. However, he lost to David Díaz in the Olympic trials. This meant he did not qualify for the Olympic boxing team. Still, he went to the 1996 Summer Olympics as a backup boxer.

Starting His Professional Career

First Fights as a Pro

Zab Judah became a professional boxer when he was 18 years old. His first professional fight was on September 20, 1996, in Miami, Florida. He won that fight against Michael Johnson in the second round. In April 1998, he defeated Angel Beltre in the second round.

In March 1999, Judah had a fight where he accidentally bumped heads with Esteban Flores. Flores got a cut, and the fight stopped. It was first called a draw, but later changed to "no contest." After this, Judah won the USBA Light Welterweight title. He defended this title by beating Darryl Tyson in the eleventh round.

Becoming an IBF Champion

In January 1999, Judah won the Interim IBF Light Welterweight title. Then, on February 12, 2000, he won the main IBF Light Welterweight title. He knocked out Jan Piet Bergman in the fourth round to become the champion.

Defending His Title

Judah defended his IBF title several times. In June 2000, he fought Junior Witter in Scotland. Witter was a tricky opponent, but Judah won by a unanimous decision. Two months later, in August 2000, Judah fought Terron Millett. Judah was knocked down early but came back strong. He knocked Millett down multiple times and won in the fourth round.

He continued to defend his title successfully. In October 2000, he stopped Hector Quiroz in the eighth round. In January 2001, he defeated Reggie Green in the tenth round. His fifth successful defense was against Allan Vester in June 2001. Judah knocked Vester out in the third round. These wins set up a big fight for Judah to unify the titles.

The Big Fight: Judah vs. Tszyu

On November 3, 2001, Zab Judah had a highly anticipated fight against Kostya Tszyu. This fight was for the Undisputed Light Welterweight Championship in Las Vegas. Many people thought Judah would win.

In the second round, with only 10 seconds left, Tszyu landed a powerful punch. Judah was very dazed and fell down twice. The referee stopped the fight, giving Tszyu the win. This was Judah's first professional loss. Judah was very upset about the decision. He was later fined and suspended from boxing for a year.

Coming Back Stronger

After his suspension, Judah returned to the ring. In July 2002, he won against Omar Weis. Then, on July 12, 2003, he challenged DeMarcus Corley for the WBO Light Welterweight title. Judah knocked Corley down in the third round and won by a split decision. He broke his left hand during this fight. In his only defense of the WBO title, Judah knocked out Jaime Rangel in the first round.

Moving Up to Welterweight

Judah vs. Spinks for Undisputed Title

On April 10, 2004, Judah fought Cory Spinks for the Undisputed Welterweight Championship. Spinks was taller, and Judah found it hard to get close. Spinks knocked Judah down in the eleventh round. Judah knocked Spinks down in the final round, but Spinks won the fight by a unanimous decision.

Getting Back on Track

For the rest of 2004, Judah had two more wins. He defeated Rafael Pineda by a split decision. He also beat Wayne Martell by technical knockout in the first round, knocking him down five times.

Rematch: Judah vs. Spinks II

On February 5, 2005, Judah had a rematch with Cory Spinks in Spinks' hometown. Judah was very aggressive throughout the fight. He knocked Spinks down in the seventh round, though it wasn't officially counted. In the ninth round, Judah knocked Spinks down again. After the second knockdown, the referee stopped the fight. Zab Judah became the new Undisputed Welterweight Champion!

Reign as Undisputed Welterweight Champion

First Title Defense

As the undisputed welterweight champion, Judah's first defense was against Cosme Rivera on May 14, 2005. Judah knocked Rivera down twice in the first minute of the fight. He continued to hit Rivera hard. In the third round, Judah knocked Rivera down again with an uppercut. The referee stopped the fight, and Judah kept his titles.

Judah vs. Baldomir

His next fight was on January 7, 2006, against Carlos Baldomir. This fight was supposed to be an easy win for Judah before a big match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Judah was expected to win easily. However, Baldomir kept putting pressure on Judah. In the seventh round, Judah was hurt by a punch. Baldomir won the fight by a unanimous decision. This was a big upset in the boxing world. Judah lost his WBC and The Ring titles.

Judah vs. Mayweather

Even after losing to Baldomir, the big fight between Judah and Floyd Mayweather Jr. still happened. It took place on April 8, 2006. Judah started the fight very well, matching Mayweather's speed. In the second round, it looked like Judah might have knocked Mayweather down, but the referee called it a slip.

In the fourth round, Judah landed a strong punch that made Mayweather back away. However, Mayweather took control in the later rounds. He hurt Judah and made his nose bleed. In the tenth round, Judah hit Mayweather with a low blow and then a punch to the back of his head. This caused a big argument in the ring between the two teams. After things calmed down, Mayweather won the fight by a unanimous decision. Judah was later fined and suspended for a year because of the incident.

Returning to the Ring

After his suspension, Judah returned on April 13, 2007. He fought Ruben Galvan. Judah started strong, but Galvan got a bad cut from an accidental elbow. The fight was stopped in the first round and ruled a "no contest."

Judah vs. Cotto

On June 9, 2007, Judah fought Miguel Cotto for the WBA Welterweight title. Cotto hit Judah with two low blows early in the fight, and Cotto even lost a point for one of them. The fight was exciting. Cotto took control as the fight went on. In the eleventh round, Cotto knocked Judah down. Judah got up, but Cotto continued his attack, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Judah said the low blows had weakened him.

Later, in September 2007, Judah defeated Edwin Vazquez by unanimous decision. He hurt his left hand during the fight but still won.

Moving to Light Middleweight

On November 17, 2007, Judah won the vacant IBC Light Middleweight title by defeating Ryan Davis. This fight was unusual because it started raining during the third round, and both boxers continued to fight in the rain! Judah knocked Davis down and won by a wide margin.

Judah was supposed to fight Shane Mosley in May 2008, but the fight was postponed. Judah had an accident in his bathroom and needed many stitches in his arm.

Back to Welterweight

Judah vs. Clottey

On August 2, 2008, Judah fought Joshua Clottey for the vacant IBF Welterweight title. Judah started well, but Clottey began to land more punches. In the ninth round, Judah got a cut over his right eye and said he couldn't see. The fight was stopped. The judges decided Clottey won because the cut was from an accidental head clash.

Getting Back on Track Again

After the loss to Clottey, Judah fought Ernest Johnson in November 2008. Judah won by unanimous decision. In November 2009, he defeated Ubaldo Hernandez by TKO in the second round.

In July 2010, Judah had another fight against Jose Armando Santa Cruz. Judah won by TKO in the third round. He then planned to move back to the light welterweight division.

Return to Light Welterweight

Judah vs. Matthysse

On November 6, 2010, Judah fought Lucas Matthysse for a regional title. Judah won by a split decision. This was his first fight back in the light welterweight division in almost seven years. Matthysse knocked Judah down in the tenth round, but Judah managed to finish the fight and win.

Winning the IBF Title Again

After beating Matthysse, Judah prepared to fight Kaizer Mabuza for the vacant IBF Light Welterweight title. Former champion Pernell Whitaker helped Judah train. On March 5, 2011, Judah defeated Mabuza by technical knockout in the seventh round. He won the IBF title again after almost ten years!

Judah vs. Khan

On July 23, 2011, Judah fought Amir Khan in a unification bout. Khan was the WBA (Super) champion. Khan knocked Judah out in the fifth round with a body shot. Judah was unable to get up. Judah believed the punch was too low and should have been called a foul.

Judah vs. Paris

After the loss to Amir Khan, Zab Judah worked to rebuild his career. He fought the undefeated Vernon Paris. Judah started strong and hurt Paris early in the first round. He continued to dominate the fight with his fast hands. In the ninth round, Judah landed a perfect left hand that hurt Paris. Judah then threw many punches, and the referee stopped the fight.

Judah vs. García

Judah's next big fight was against undefeated champion Danny García on April 27, 2013. The fight was exciting. García took an early lead and even knocked Judah down in the eighth round. However, Judah showed great determination and fought back strongly in the last three rounds. Even though Judah won the final rounds, García had built up enough of a lead to win by unanimous decision.

Second Return to Welterweight

Judah vs. Malignaggi

On December 7, 2013, Judah fought Paulie Malignaggi for a welterweight title. Judah started well, winning the first three rounds and even knocking Malignaggi down in the second. But for the rest of the fight, Malignaggi used quick jabs to score more points. Malignaggi won the fight by unanimous decision.

Coming Back After a Break

In January 2017, Judah announced he would fight again after more than three years away from boxing. He fought Jorge Luis Munguia and won by TKO in the second round. Judah knocked Munguia down with a left hook, and the referee stopped the fight.

A year later, in January 2018, Judah fought Noel Mejia Rincon. Judah won the 10-round fight by unanimous decision. He controlled most of the match.

Final Return to Light Welterweight

Judah vs. Seldin

After a long break, Zab Judah, at 41 years old, had his third fight in six years on June 7, 2019. He fought Cletus Seldin. Seldin stopped Judah in the eleventh round. After the fight, Judah felt unwell and was taken to the hospital. He was treated for a brain bleed. This injury likely ended his long and impressive boxing career. He later recovered and was released from the hospital.

Zab Judah's Life Outside the Ring

Zab Judah comes from a large family with ten brothers and four sisters. Five of his brothers also box, and three of them are professional boxers. His father and trainer, Yoel Judah, is a six-time kickboxing world champion. Zab Judah is a born-again Christian.

In 2006, three men tried to rob Judah while he was next to his car. One man pulled a gun and told him to give up his jewelry. Judah ran away instead. The robbers chased him in their minivan but crashed into a tree. The robbers tried to run away, but two of them were caught.

Judah also spends his time helping others. He volunteers to teach a nursing assistant class. He also helps at a special care facility for older patients who have memory problems.

Professional Boxing Record

Pay-Per-View Fights

See Also

• Notable boxing families
• List of WBA world champions
• List of WBC world champions
• List of IBF world champions
• List of WBO world champions
• List of The Ring world champions
• List of undisputed boxing champions