Former Undisputed Welterweight and Junior Welterweight Champion Zab Judah has taken his training to a new level in preparation for his Nov. 6th match-up with Argentine Knock Out artist Lucas Matthysse at Newark's Prudential Center.
Known in boxing circles simply as "Super Judah," the 32-year old Brooklyn native has given a whole new meaning to the word "Super" in recent weeks. "I've been running Mt. Charleston every other day since I heard that Matthysse is coming to fight me on HBO in front of my hometown crowd," Judah enthused. "I am so excited about this fight. I have never been in better shape in my life. I could fight this kid right now!"
Formally named Charleston Peak and located 35 miles west of Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston reaches 11,918 feet (3,615 meters) at its highest elevation. An average of 20 to 30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas, the mountain is a popular year round destination for hiking, skiing, picnicking and horse-back riding.
Guided by his father, Yoel Judah and former Light Heavyweight Kingpin Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Judah has taken advantage of the resort's solitude and challenging runs as he prepares to take on his young South American challenger. According to Zab's partner in Super Judah Promotions, Bill Halkias, "Zab isn't taking any shortcuts. He is taking his training very seriously and never complains. As a matter of fact, I think he really likes pushing himself to new limits. He likes going through the pain because he knows it will pay off in the ring. After 10 to 12 rounds of sparring, followed by his daily gym workout, his breathing is very calm and he is not tired."
Matthysse has followed in the footsteps of his fellow countrymen and savage punchers, Luis Firpo and Carlos Monzon, to become a major star in his native Argentina. His tremendous knock out power has earned him 27 of his 28 wins by KO. Matthysse has only once heard the bell ring to signal the start of the fifth round, as he scored all of his 27 KO's inside of four.
"I have all respect for him because he is coming here on my home turf to fight me," Judah said. "But he is stepping up to the big time now."
Tickets for the 12 round NABO Championship bout, promoted by Main Events, Super Judah and Golden Boy, are on sale now. The winner of the bout also will be designated the #2 contender in the IBF Junior Welterweight ratings.
Priced at $253, $103, $78 and $53, tickets may be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office, through Ticketmaster, or by logging on to www.prucenter.com.