Judah: It's time to grow up!
Former champ says he has new outlook for fight with "Sugar" Shane

March 25, 2008 - ESPN Zone, New York, NY
Report: Matt Richardson
Photos: Ed Mulholland/FightWireImages.com

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Zab Judah arrived alone.

On time.

In a suit.

For the 30-year old former two-division champion, it was a stark contrast to the days when he was the talk of the town. He would arrive late with his posse in tow dressed in casual attire. Judah (36-5, 1 NC 25 KO's) used to be young, brash and, by his own estimation, immature.

He still possesses those first two traits but now says he has improved on the third. Just in time for what could be the last "big" fight of his career.

"I'm 30 years old now. I have children. They look up to me. It's time to grow up," Judah said to a small gathering of media at the ESPN Zone in Manhattan on Tuesday to announce his May 31st HBO PPV date against fellow former champ, Shane Mosley.

"I don't care to look backwards; to dwell on the (Floyd) Mayweather fight, the (Miguel) Cotto fight. I've had time to relax. I don't care to look backwards. I look forward," he said. He said he would admit that he has been an under-achiever but that the Mosley fight represents a chance to turn back the clock and prove his potential. "Zab Judah is going to give you guys what you want," he said. "(I'll answer) the what-if's," he said. "There's nothing we can do in the past. I wish some things didn't happen but it happened. I regret it because of the time off I lost in boxing. I could've been doing big things during that time."

Judah's new-found maturity, however, doesn't stop him from dissecting and dissing his opponents. "Mosley is a very predictable fighter," he said. "He keeps doing the same thing over and over. He doesn't have a jab. He throws a hook with his eyes closed. He has a lack of defense. He can't slip a jab to save his life. He eats the jab all day and night long." Judah also said that his team had formally requested for both fighters to submit to blood tests to insure that the use of steroids was non-existent. Mosley had been involved in the BALCO steroid investigation and Judah said it was only fair that he take a test to prove his cleanliness. Golden Boy Promotions, Mosley's promoter, rejected the request saying that they weren't asking for "extra security" for the notoriously poorly-behaved Judah. This story line could go on longer as fight time nears closer. But Judah insists that's not his main focus. He even refused to speculate on any future fights or opponents past Mosley.

So could it really, finally, truly be? Can Judah finally fulfill the potential? The hype of "Pernell Whitaker with a punch"? And can he do it against Mosley? Not surprisingly, Judah seems to think so. "I want to go down with the greats - Joe Louis. Sugar Ray Robinson. Come May 31 I'm focused.," he said. "I'm ready to go. Ya'll want 100-percent of Zab Judah. I want 100-percent of Zab Judah. We're going to get it."

Mosley vs Judah Presser Photos