WBA and
WBC world titles on the line as Zab Judah will put forth his IBF world title.
Tszyu and Judah will engage in fistic battle with the winner being recognized as
the world's undisputed 140 pound champion.(Inside Boxing) - On Saturday, Nov. 3 Kostya Tszyu will put both his
WBA and
WBC world titles on the line as Zab Judah will put forth his IBF world title.
Tszyu and Judah will engage in fistic battle with the winner being recognized as
the world's undisputed 140 pound champion.
In Tszyu we have great punching power, constant forward movement and willing to exchange punches. In Judah we have speed and ring generalship.
Judah makes it no secret as to his game plan and what it will take for him to win this fight.
"Muhammed Ali is known as the greatest ever, but not because of his power. Ali was the greatest because of his boxing ability. The name of the game is hit and not be hit. In this sport you have to have a game plan and stick to it. Mine is to box. I am here for 12 rounds. I am here to box and show lots of speed and lateral movement. It is going to be like the bull and the matador. Just because I am a boxer does not mean I am a runner. I am a fighter who likes to box. But to totally stand in front of Tszyu and slug it out would be silly. It would be stupid. Why play right into the hands of a guy's strength? Said Judah.
Confident of victory Judah says "If I would have had my way, this fight with Tszyu would have been a winner-takes-all. The winner gets all the money and all the belts. The loser gets to go home and cry, then go get a job."
Judah I'm sure has felt this way with all the opponents he has faced. And rightfully so, however, I don't believe any of his previous opponents posed quite the threat that Tszyu does.
Russian born Tszyu understands what it takes to be a champion, he owns two of the three major belts. And he did not become champion by being slow, sluggish and robotic. This guy can fight and more importantly he understands the game. Cutting off the ring against Judah may not come easily but sooner or later one has to think Judah will have to fight.
"I know that a lot of the media (in the United States) favors Judah to win the fight. That is understandable. He was born in the United States. They have watched him more and are more familiar with him. I was born in Russia and moved to Australia. I do not expect to be treated like he is. But I have a great fan club, and they are real boxing fans. I get emails from all over the world, including many from fans in Russia and the United States. Said Tszyu.
Tszyu continued by saying "I know this is going to be a great fight. Judah is a good fighter, but a boxer has never hit him with the kind of power that I will. I am ready to fight.''
Judah on the other hand feels the odds are in his favor. "I have great respect for Tszyu as a boxer. He has been able to keep the title a long time. That is a difficult thing to do and he deserves credit, probably more than he has received. I do not think Tszyu is scared. He is probably as confident as me. But the only way he is going to win is if he gets very lucky with a good shot. But Tszyu is not even a one-punch knockout guy. He needs to land effectively with combinations. He is 32. I just turned 23. I feel very confident and can't wait for Saturday.
Somehow I get the feeling this is going to be a better fight than most anticipate. I think you'll see Judah showcase his boxing skills rather than run for 12 rounds. And I think you'll see Tszyu do an excellent job of cutting off the ring and forcing the exchange of blows.
The one title neither one of these fighters can get is the World Boxing Hall of Fame's "fighter of the year", that award went to Bernard Hopkins. But then who wants an award from an organization who hands out fighter of the year awards almost three months prior to the year ending? The WBHOF sure shot their credibility all to hell by doing that.
The co-main event will shine the lights on "SuperMex" Francisco Bojado as he makes his way into the big league. Undefeated Francisco "Panchito" Bojado (8-0, 8 KOs) seeks his ninth consecutive knockout victory when he faces former Mexican State champion Mauro Lucero (34-8-1, 22 KOs) in a junior welterweight match.
The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Millennium Events Inc., in association with Main Events, Inc., will promote the fight card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
October 31, 2001