There’s a big fight at The Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York’s-newest boxing emporium tonight between Danny “Swift” Garcia, 25-0-0, 16 knockouts, W.B.A & W.B.C. Super Lightweight World Champion from Philadelphia by way of Puerto Rico, and Brooklyn-born and bred, Zab “Super” Judah, 42-7, 29 k.o.’s, also former 4-time world champion in 2 weight divisions.
Actually a pre-fight verbal scuffle occurred when Zab Judah was accused of being a “no-show”, by Golden Boy’s Promoter, Oscar De La Hoya at the news conference this week. When Judah finally appeared he angrily said he was disrespected while Garcia was treated like royalty.
“I was told to report at 11:00 a.m. for a 1:00 p.p. conference. mI did, and then I was locked in some basement room with my family for hours with nothing to eat or drink. That was wrong, Oscar. You don’t even treat a dog that way,” a very angry Judah stated.
Judah then went on to state that it did not matter since Saturday, April 27th he was going to knockout Garcia and end all of this favoritism since he was more experienced than Garcia, having fought Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, and Lucas Matthysse. “I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I know too much for Garcia. I had a great training camp and I know I will be a world champ again,” declared a confident Judah.
A calm Garcia seemed to laugh off all of Judah’s angry comments and although this fight has become very personal he would not let it effect all of his training camp preparation for the fight. “I know that the fight was postponed because of my rib injury. But I am well now and very prepared to knockout Judah and shut his mouth,” Garcia said. “If he thinks he could scare me he has made a big mistake because I will brush off his stupid comments and ridiculous ghetto scare tactics and use them as incentives to beat him. Boxing is a mind game and he did not get into my mind,” he added, with a smile.
This championship fight represents a clash of two athletes; one the veteran grasping at another opportunity for ring glory and on the other side of the ring stands a youngster who has tasted success, enjoys it, and intends to continue to be successful fighting all challengers to his world crown and remain undefeated.
His additional confidence builder has been his 3-winning championship fights with 2 veteran champions; twice with future hall of famer Eric “El Terrible” Morales, and a surprise knockout of Amir Khan. I don’t doubt that Danny Garcia knows that defeating Judah will open the doors to future mega fights with the other 140 pounders which could lead him to pound for pound glory. He also indicated that after he “cleaned up” his 140 pound division he might move up to the welterweight division.
As for Zab Judah, I believe that yes, he is once more reaching for boxing glory with this fight against all odds to re-establish himself among the super elite fighters who have won many titles. But Super Judah is in a tough fight while seeking boxing redemption — against a strong, young, hard- hitting, fast, determined, and somewhat angry Danny Garcia.
Too often Judah, one of the hardest-hitting speedy left handers in the ring today, has been labeled, a “5-round fighter”, due to the fact that by the 5th round in many of his losing fights, he has lost his stamina. So if he does not knock an opponent by the 5th round he can be beat.
So which Zab Judah will show up on Saturday? Your guess is as good as mine since I have seen a great Zab Judah devastate opponents such as Kaizer Mabuza, Vernon Paris, Lucas Matthysse; and also wilt and lose to Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, and Amir Khan.
I have to go with youth this time and pick Garcia by knockout over the veteran Judah somewhere around the 9th round.
