ZAB JUDAH NEXT FOR KOSTYA TSZYU

LAS VEGAS (INSIDE BOXING) The 140 pound weight division now has two champions not three as Kostya Tszyu holds both the WBA and WBC version of the title after defeating (a supposedly injured) Sharmba Mitchell.

The IBF title-holder, Zab Judah, is waiting his turn against Tszyu to unify the title. Speculation has the unification bout scheduled for May 19, 2001 at a yet to be determined site. Las Vegas will no doubt be the battleground for these two fighters who are both entertaining and talented.

Sharmba Mitchell summoned both promoter Don King and Nevada State Boxing Commissioner Flip Homansky to his dressing room moments before the bout complaining of knee problems. Obviously the conversation persuaded Mitchell to enter the ring for what was inevitable.

From the opening bell it was apparent that Mitchell was going to run. All that was in question was how long it would take Tszyu to cut off the ring and end the match.

Tszyu chased Mitchell and showed his frustration at Mitchell not wanting to fight that when finally cornering his opponent he wrestled him to the ground on some 5 different occasions. The WWF’s Vince McMahon would have been impressed. No one else was.

The fight was stopped following the 7^th round when the corner of Mitchell had received verification that the "check had cleared" and he no longer had to absorb any punishment.

The bout between Zab Judah and Kostya Tszyu will be another pitting speed and power vs just power. The one thing Sharmba Mitchell exposed in Kostya Tszyu is his willingness to take several punches in order to deliver one.

The problem against Zab Judah is that Tszyu will take more punches than he could ever imagine in trying to land one…if able to land one at all. Zab Judah is lightening fast and a deceptively hard puncher. This spells trouble for Tszyu.

Finding Tszyu will be no problem for Judah. He comes straight ahead looking to out physical his opponent. Judah will move from side to side and never give Tszyu the opportunity to set his feet and land the power punch he desperately wants to deliver.

The fight will go 9, maybe 10 rounds before the hand speed and frustration get to Tszyu. He will take a terrible beating at the hands of the 140 pound divisions’ most talented fighter.

But don’t let me have you underestimate Kostya Tszyu. He has the same mentality of Diego Corrales when he fought Floyd Mayweather, although with mitigating circumstances (rapid weight loss and gain), in that he will want to fight until he can no longer stand on his feet. He has the ability to knock an opponent out with one punch. Against Zab Judah that opportunity will never present itself.

This is when we will observe whether the corner of Kostya Tszyu looks at him as a boxer/meal ticket, or as a young man with a long life ahead of him.

The outcome of this fight seems very predictable. But then again that’s why we hold the contest. This type of bout goes a long way in defining what the public perception of professional prize fighting is all about. When the fight should be stopped it should be stopped.

Let’s hope the "powers that be" (ABC: Association of Boxing Commissions) recognize that more than Kostya Tszyu and Zab Judah will be center stage come May 19th.

Boy Wonder