Zab Judah has absorbed almost as much criticism as punches over his career. He has been ridiculed for his immaturity. He has been slammed for his lack of concentration and poise in big fights. And he has been accused of not being able to win the big one.
But this is not a column to bash Judah. On the contrary. This piece contains only words of praise for the proud Brooklyn fighter. Because, Saturday night in a jam-packed Madison Square Garden and, as an underdog, no less - “Super” did himself, his hometown, and the sport of boxing very, very proud.
    
It couldn’t have been easy standing in front of a younger, stronger tank of a fighter like Miguel Cotto, and swapping serious leather for 11 rounds. It couldn’t have been easy taking vicious shots to the head and body, and working up the ferocity to punch back with a vengeance.
    
It couldn’t have been easy to get up from two brutal knockdowns, dust off, and walk courageously back into the line of fire.
    
But Judah did that. Did that and then some. He came to win Saturday. He came to prove all of those ignorant, know-it-all sportswriters – one Matt Aguilar included – that he could sustain an attack over a championship distance, muster up the heart to march forward, and continue his gameplan through a hailstorm of nitrogen bombs.
    
And, yeah, maybe he didn’t win. Maybe he failed to take another world championship home. Big deal. Plastic belts come and go. And, these days, they’re so watered down, they hardly mean anything.
   
But respect, that’s different. That stays with you for an entire career. A lifetime, even. And Judah, by making such a gutty stand, earned it Saturday. 
     
No more shaking of the head when the subject of Judah’s lost potential comes up. No more rolling of the eyes when his losses to Kostya Tszyu and Carlos Baldomir are replayed. 
     
Judah earned more admiration in less than an hour than he had over 11 years and 34 victories.
     
And, who would have thought it would be Judah – coupled with Cotto - who would prove that, yes, boxing can and will continue just fine without Oscar De La Hoya, thank you. 
      
So, whatever your future holds Judah, just know that you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Not anymore. Your hiccups of the past are forgotten.
      
Fighters make boxing what it is. And Judah proved himself that against Cotto. With a capital ‘F.’
      
In boxing, there is no higher praise.

M

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