Zab Judah vs Miguel Cotto: Fight Preview

On the evening of Saturday, June 9th, the world of Boxing takes center stage once again as two of the best in the business get ready to get it on. It’s been a sizzlin’ summer so far and things won’t lighten up in this one as some major questions surrounding both fighters involved are answered. Rising Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto (29-0, 24KO’s), a sheltered fighter in the mind of most, will face the biggest test of his career as he goes against a somewhat troubled, yet very talented Brooklynite in Zab Judah (34-4, 25KO’s). No-No For Cotto? Miguel Cotto, as talented as he is, has yet to really taste the fury of a fighter who has the raw combination of power and speed, coupled with an ego that boldly blares “I’m Bad”!!! Demarcus Corley, (a slightly better than average journeyman), rocked Cotto a couple years ago and left him visibly shaken before Cotto went on to stop him in the 5th round. This fight was key in the development of Cotto because it showed he could be rocked by a good chin-check, yet in this moment of adversity it turned into one of his greatest feats because as dazed as he was, he turned the tables by stopping Corley with a barrage of shots that culminated into a TKO. Two fights later he suffered the same fate as he was rocked by the slick Ricardo Torres. Once again, his heart wouldn’t allow him to go out this way, and ultimately he was able to stop Torres in the 7th round via TKO. What this proved about Cotto was two things. Yes he can be hurt, but No, he won’t lay down. Where the questions begin is that he was hurt and avoided trouble against less talented fighters, but what happens when he gets in the ring with someone who has the skill to ‘close’ the show? Zab Judah: “The Spoiler” If anyone on Cotto’s resume’ of opponents has the ability to end the show it’s Zab. He’ll be harder to hit than anyone Cotto has probably faced and with his Mayweather-like speed, if he comes in with his head screwed on properly, he can probably land at a 3 to 1 ratio early until the typically slow starting and very methodical Cotto finds his range. Cotto’s slow start could be an issue because Zab is the type of fighter who looks to ‘light the fire’ from the beginning and typically when he gets a man wounded, he’ll finish the job, as he has often stated, he “doesn’t get paid for overtime”. He comes in with the intention to end the night quick and if he catches Cotto early and often, it could be a short night. Prediction In Cotto you have determination and power, but a shortness on experience and battle-tested skill. In Zab you have speed, flashiness, power, and experience on the big stage. I’ll hold my prediction because of the proverbial “jinx-factor”, but here’s a quick hint. Cotto has spent his career to this point going through a slew of ‘alphabet’ contenders and has passed every test with flying colors. Trouble is, these ‘alphabets’ (like the real ones) progress so if he was stunned by ‘C’ (Corley), and ‘T’ (Torres), what can we expect in the end with “Z” (Zab)? Good question, but don’t be surprised if Cotto’s ‘O’ (undefeated record) has to go. Zab Judah (TKO9)

About Tim Starks

Tim is the founder of The Queensberry Rules and co-founder of The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (http://www.tbrb.org). He lives in Washington, D.C. He has written for the Guardian, Economist, New Republic, Chicago Tribune and more.

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