BoxRec

What did everyone think of Zab Judah's annihilation of Cosme Rivera? I was so psyched about seeing Judah against Junior Witter back in 2000, yet he ended up looking pretty ordinary.

Nothing ordinary about him tonight, was there? I agree with Barry McGuigan in that I was shocked by his hand speed when I first saw him at welterweight. It was actually in the first round of the Spinks rematch that I really noticed it, but the point still stands - he is exceptionally fast for someone probably not at their natural weight.

As for his technique... he looked like a southpaw James Toney in there: totally relaxed, the classy countershots, the shoulder/ducking defence, etc. Total class.

you think, like toney, steroids made that possible?

Manos de Oro wrote:What did everyone think of Zab Judah's annihilation of Cosme Rivera? I was so psyched about seeing Judah against Junior Witter back in 2000, yet he ended up looking pretty ordinary.

Nothing ordinary about him tonight, was there? I agree with Barry McGuigan in that I was shocked by his hand speed when I first saw him at welterweight. It was actually in the first round of the Spinks rematch that I really noticed it, but the point still stands - he is exceptionally fast for someone probably not at their natural weight.

As for his technique... he looked like a southpaw James Toney in there: totally relaxed, the classy countershots, the shoulder/ducking defence, etc. Total class.

Him and Tszyu should fight after Tszyu takes core of Hatton.

Cosme Rivera - THE oldest looking 28-year-old on the planet, surely?

Yes great performance, that really showed the level of James Hare (unfortunately).

Although, Judah has problems with geniune class slicksters - Witter is one of them, so is Cory Spinks. Everytime Judah impresses both (although especially Spinks, because Judah was very young and inexperience vs Witter) go up in my estimation. Remember Spinks was giving Judah all kinds of problems in the rematch and for me there is unfinished business there.

I was really impressed with Zab's performance against a good world level fighter when i suddenly realised i had mistaken Cosme Rivera for Jose Antonio Rivera Once i realised it was the guy who beat James Hare i changed my mind, but still a good solid outing and Judah showed exceptional hand speed and punch picking...the left uppercut was a peach of a shot.

steve689 wrote:I was really impressed with Zab's performance against a good world level fighter when i suddenly realised i had mistaken Cosme Rivera for Jose Antonio Rivera Once i realised it was the guy who beat James Hare i changed my mind, but still a good solid outing and Judah showed exceptional hand speed and punch picking...the left uppercut was a peach of a shot.

I think Cosme could take Jose, Cosme has had some decent wins since Hare and earned this shot.

lilpyrodemon wrote:you think, like toney, steroids made that possible?

Interesting point, I have suspicions there are quite a number of fighters (at all levels) who use steroids, but in the case of Zab I think he may just be one of those guys who have carried their speed well. Jones Jr. looked about the same speed, if not faster, when he went up from 160 to 168 - some fighters just seem to carry the extra weight well.

A Tszyu rematch would be very interesting indeed. I'm one of the minority who remember exactly what it felt like watching the first two rounds up until the knockdown. The stoppage eclipsed the whole fight because of how photogenic it was, but it was a damn interesting fight up till then (when you didn't know the outcome). Providing King Kostya doesn't look his age against Hatton, a rematch could be a real cracker.

BTW, if you find Zab annoying in his media work do what I do - simply ignore all interviews with him or else just picture him getting kayoed and laugh at his spiel. He's actually a very classy fighter when you take away his talk.

stujones wrote:

steve689 wrote:I was really impressed with Zab's performance against a good world level fighter when i suddenly realised i had mistaken Cosme Rivera for Jose Antonio Rivera Once i realised it was the guy who beat James Hare i changed my mind, but still a good solid outing and Judah showed exceptional hand speed and punch picking...the left uppercut was a peach of a shot.

I think Cosme could take Jose, Cosme has had some decent wins since Hare and earned this shot.

I would pick Jose myself to beat Cosme, Cosme is limited and very upright. Jose looks like he has a bit more ability.

Manos de Oro wrote:

lilpyrodemon wrote:you think, like toney, steroids made that possible?

Interesting point, I have suspicions there are quite a number of fighters (at all levels) who use steroids, but in the case of Zab I think he may just be one of those guys who have carried their speed well. Jones Jr. looked about the same speed, if not faster, when he went up from 160 to 168 - some fighters just seem to carry the extra weight well.

A Tszyu rematch would be very interesting indeed. I'm one of the minority who remember exactly what it felt like watching the first two rounds up until the knockdown. The stoppage eclipsed the whole fight because of how photogenic it was, but it was a damn interesting fight up till then (when you didn't know the outcome). Providing King Kostya doesn't look his age against Hatton, a rematch could be a real cracker.

BTW, if you find Zab annoying in his media work do what I do - simply ignore all interviews with him or else just picture him getting kayoed and laugh at his spiel. He's actually a very classy fighter when you take away his talk.

Judah's muscles look like unatural growth, plus with him losing his hairline and his speed - he's definitely juicing....