Brooklyn, NY (April 28, 2013)– In the main event of a ten bout card at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, April 27, 2013, broadcast live on Showtime television, Danny Garcia of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, went to 26-0, 16 knockouts, and retained the Ring Magazine, World Boxing Council and Super World Boxing Association Light Welterweight titles with a 12 round unanimous decision over hometown southpaw favorite Zab Judah, now 42-8, of Brooklyn, New York. Judah, sometimes referred to as super Judah, lost the first nine rounds, and got decked for a flash knockdown by a straight punch to the chin in round eight. Scoring in this bout appeared closer than the actual fight, though Judah was ‘in the Brooklyn house’ for all 12 rounds.
If one round had flipped for Judah, Garcia would have won a split decision. If two rounds had flipped for Judah, Judah would have won a split decision. The bout never seemed that close despite Judah’s best efforts to please the Brooklyn crowd.
For all the usual Judah trash talk hype preceding his bouts, and ringside security, the two fighters seemed friendly and at peace with each other at bout’s conclusion.
Garcia was landing the better shots, and Zab tried to counter, but even when he landed his punches did not have enough power. Garcia was mixing his punches and game plan very well to keep Judah off balance and outpunched for most of the bout. Judah got wobbled a few times, held on when he had to and regained his composure.
Zab Judah was a true young lion, a ‘Lion of Judah’, showing heart, courage and professionalism in keeping his cool, and putting himself together whenever he had a rocky moment. Judah, at age 35, probably had his final world title shot, and gave it his all making the most of it. Judah remained in the house-even though outclassed.
The bout suddenly became most interesting when Judah began backing up Garcia in rounds ten, eleven and twelve and landing some highly effective straight jabs and power shots which hurt Garcia. Judah, bleeding below the left eye, bloodied Garcia’s nose. An accidental clash of heads late in the bout opened up what appeared as a bloody gash atop Garcia’s forehead, and the blood trickled down the center of Garcia’s face and made his life worse than it was supposed to be. Judah needed a knockout, though, and couldn’t find it. Referee Steve Smoger let the fighters do their thing, and for the most part left the bout to the television cameras aside from breaking up the occasional grab and hold by both combatants.
A critical analysis of Judah’s last five opponents, Danny Garcia, Vernon Paris, Amir Khan, Kaizer Mabuza, and Lucas Martin Matthysse, show them to all be top ten ‘A’ rated fighters, a most high quality opponent. Garcia, Paris, Khan and Matthysse combined for a 103-1 record when Judah fought them between 2010-and 2013. While Judah is a ferocious warrior who looked his best against Garcia, Judah’s losses to Garcia, Khan, Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Carlos Bladimir, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Kostya Tszyu are indicative of the fact that, title belts or not, like welterweight compatriot David Estrada, Judah defeats some big names once and awhile but just cannot win the big fight against the big name opponent.
Judah needs to stop holding out for big money fights and stay more active at this point in his career if he expects to get another title shot and stay in the game at 140 pounds for a few more years. For example, Judah could fight a former light welterweight champion such as Vivian Harris or DeMarcus Corley for the vacant USBO title in a local 10 round bout at Barclay’s, and keep busy. Judah could fight Gabriel Bracero or Sadam Ali. While a great fighter, Zab’s skills will erode if he does not fight every month or two at this point, and money cannot be the objective.
Result: Danny Garcia Win 12 Zab Judah
(Retains Ring Magazine, WBA and WBC Light Welterweight World Titles)
Scoring: 116-11, 115-112, 114-112.
Preliminary Title Bout Preceding Main Event
Peter Quillin TKO 7 Fernando Guerrero
(Retains World Boxing Organization Middleweight Title)
Brooklyn fighter Peter Quillin defended his world title over Fernando Guerrero. Noting Guerrero has lost to Grady Brewer, and world ranked middleweight Osumanu Adama of Ghana has beaten Grady Brewer, why was it Guerrero magically got this title shot and not Adama? Showtime Sports, and Osumanu Adama trainer Joseph Awinongya, should ask themselves that question. Then again, why was it Joe Louis got to fight James Braddock for the World Heavyweight title, after Schmeling had knocked Louis out fair and square at Yankee Stadium?
Quillin himself, along with WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, is in the running for a shot at WBC World Champion Sergio Gabriel Martinez, who defended his title with a 12 round decision over Martin Murray in Argentina earlier in the day. Quillin versus Martinez is a promoter’s dream fight, but Martinez, now 38 years old, would have to want the fight. For sure Martinez will not Quillin in Brooklyn if a WBC / WBO unification bout reaches the table of consideration in late 2013 or early 2014. Martinez is the best fight for Quillin at this point in the game.
A local alternative middleweight opponent for Quillin would be Daniel Jacobs in a Brooklyn versus Brooklyn war at Barclays on Showtime. Trouble is Jacobs, who won his Barclays bout right before Quillin’s, has not made the 160 pound weight limit in his past five bouts, since losing to Dmitry Pirog in his failed attempt to win the WBO Middleweight title in August 2010, when he was stopped in five rounds.
Undercard Bout Results
Danny Jacobs KO 4 Keenan Collins, Middleweights
Luis Collazo TKO 5 Miguel Callist, Welterweights
Eddie Gomez Win 8 Luis Hernandez, Light Middleweights
Boyd Melson Win 6 Edgar Perez, Middleweights
Marcus Browne KO 2 Taneal Goyco, Light Heavyweights
Zachary Ochoa Win 4 Calvin Smith, Light Welterweights
Miguel Cartagena Win 4 Angel Carvajal, Bantamweights
D’Mitrius Ballard TKO 2 Marcus Clay, Super Middleweights
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