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Photo by: Michael Spence


Former two-division world champion Zab “Super” Judah (41-6, 28 KOs) won the vacant IBF junior welterweight championship with an impressive seventh round stoppage over over Kaizer Mabuza (23-8-3, 14 KOs) on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Mbuza earned his shot at the title, and put the Super Lightweight division on notice when brutally knocking out former world champion Kendall "Rated R" Holt. Judah sought the expert tutelage of the legendary champion Pernell Whitaker, and the rest is in the books. Judah put on a Whitaker-esque performance as he spent the first half of the fight ducking and evading Mbuza's big shots. Judah didn't waste punches, nor did he look for one big shot. Judah took what the fight gave to him as he took advantage of the openings to the body and several hard shots to the head. Mbuza was determined and he gave up nothing as he constantly put pressure on Judah. In round seven, Judah would time Mbuza with a huge counter straight-left that nearly sent Mbuza through the ropes. Mbuza received an eight count, but could barely stand firmly on his legs. Sensing the end was near, Judah pounced on his badly hurt prey and unleashed multiple combinations stopping the #1 rank Jr. welterweight on his feet at the time of :59.

Middleweight Tarvis Simms (27-1-1, 11 KOs) won an uneventful eight rounder against John Mackey (13-6-2, 6 KOs) by scores of 78-74, 79-73, 80-72.

Welterweight Jose Peralta (5-1, 3 KOs) won Clifford McPherson (2-5-1, 1 KO) couldn’t continue due to an apparent hand injury. Time was 2:44.

Lightweight Shemuel Pagan (2-0) needed just 93 seconds to annihilate Marcos Garcia (0-4).

Welterweight Chris Crosby (6-1, 1 KO) won a four round split decision over Greg Hackett (2-6). Scores were 39-37, 40-36 for Crosby, 39-37 for Hackett.

Debuting Vinny O’Brien won when the corner of David Navarro (0-2) pulled him out after round three.