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Cutting it fine
Two experienced fighters - and either could have won
Posted: 06th August 2008 11:45
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Judah: Fourth defeat in seven
The replay showed that Clottey had actually landed a left uppercut, not a headbutt, to open up the cut but the cause didn't matter at that point.
Wayne McCullough
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Zab Judah, a former two-division world champion, was hoping to get another chance at the welterweight division belt by taking on tough, durable Joshua Clottey for the vacant IBF welterweight title last weekend in Las Vegas.
With only two losses on his record, the last being to Antonio Margarito in December 2006, Clottey had won his last four fights and was ready to take on Judah. Originally from Ghana, Clottey is now fighting out of New York's Bronx.
Judah, now residing in Las Vegas, had won two fights since he was stopped by Miguel Cotto in June 2007 and even though it seems like he has been around forever, Judah is still only 31 years old so he should have had enough in the tank to take on Clottey.
Both fighters have great ring experience with Judah just getting a slight edge.
During the fight Clottey tested Judah's chin from time to time and it became a back-and-forth battle with some rounds being close to score.
Judah actually looked good and quite sharp during the bout, landing some nice clean right jabs as the more aggressive Clottey pushed the fight. Clottey got close to his opponent on a number of occasions but didn't really put four and five punch combinations together or step it up enough.
Unanimous
In the ninth round, Judah got a bad cut over his right eye, which referee Robert Byrd said was a headbutt. About a minute into the round, the referee called on the ringside physician to take a look at the cut.
The doctor asked Judah if he could see and held up his hand, asking him again how many fingers he was holding up. But Judah answered incorrectly and the referee stopped the fight at the doctor's request, saying Judah's vision was impaired.
The fight then went to the scorecards - after the fourth round typically a fight will go to the cards if the cut is opened by an accidental headbutt - and Clottey was awarded a close unanimous decision.
The replay showed that Clottey had actually landed a left uppercut, not a headbutt, to open up the cut but the cause didn't matter at that point.
It was a hard fight to score and either guy could have won the fight. I had Judah up by one point but since the replay showed Clottey landing a punch to open the cut then he deserved to win the fight.
In my opinion, Judah looked as though he was winning the fight even though he was beginning to tire a little.
Neither fighter got hurt but I'm sure a rematch could be in the works.
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Comments
James Lee says...
Judah needs to fight at 140, I see him beating most fighters there and taking some belts, Hatton would find him very difficult also.
Posted 20:48 21st August 2008
Kevin Asamoah says...
I think with what everyone saw, Clottey without no doubt deserved the WIN. Gosh, the guy is a durable, experienced and the best on the block. Out of 10 matches Zab might want. he would come out the loser with bleeding gum and chin.
Posted 21:26 15th August 2008
Ishola Jegede says...
Wayne and the judges must have been watching another fight for them to have the scorecard that lopsided. I shudder to imagine what would have happened if the fight had gone the distance, with Judah winning by Wayne's one point. Judah was clearly not in the fight and most of his punches landed on Clottey's gloves, and were of no effect. How that accounted for his lead is still a mystery.
Posted 21:34 14th August 2008
Faiz Alidina says...
I am done with Judah and to be quite frank I have been for sometime. Zab is the poster child for a what-could-have-been boxer. For all he was blessed with in terms of his hand speed and power, he is severely lacking any grace or heart. I think for most boxing fans this fight will prove to be the straw that broke the camels back. I had Clottey up at the time the fight was stopped, which by the way was for a legitimate uppercut and not, as Zab claimed, a stray head butt. I think Zab has two choices now, he either becomes a gate keeper for the welterweight division and fights young up and comers or he moves back down to Jr Welter where fights with the likes of Bradley, Malignaggi or even Hatton could prove to be entertaining. I never even thought he deserved the first vacant title shot against Clottey let alone a rematch.
Posted 03:28 12th August 2008
Leonard Harding says...
I agree Judah can hold his own at Welter but ultimately fails when it matters. With a little more dedication he could still make 140 and wouldn't that be an interesting addition to that weight class? Hatton, Malignaggi, Bradlry demetrius hopkins, definitely some in teresting matchups to be made and maybe even pacman somewhere down the line
Posted 16:16 8th August 2008
Stephen Maudsley says...
I have to disagree with this and agree with the last comment that clottey was ahead when the fight was stopped. If clottey and judah fought 10 times i'd pick clottey to win all ten. Clottey is a durable character and a vastly underrated fighter. Check out his fights with margarito and corrales. I don't think judah is really capable of seriously hurting clottey and i felt he wa glad the fight was stopped when it was as he was catching a lot of right hand leads, i think clottey would have eventually stopped him
Posted 01:09 8th August 2008
Chris Devine says...
steve, i agree - i didn't have judah ahead on points. i was surprised the judges scored it so close. apart from one cracking right (i think) judah never worried clottey in my opinion. if there is a rematch clottey will take it over the 12.
Posted 12:52 7th August 2008
Steve Boxfan says...
Surprised to hear you had Judah ahead in this - he was constantly getting pushed back by the bigger Clottey and was getting hit constantly with strong right hand leads, while his own shots bounced off Clottey. Judah has no business fighting at welterweight if he weighs in at 143 and is only up to 147 by fight time.
Posted 16:06 6th August 2008
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