By Frank Gonzalez Jr.

Zab “Super” Judah Vs. Omar “Tito” Weis
(27-1-0-21 KO’s) (35-4-3-16 KO’s)

15.07 - This past Saturday in Tunica Mississippi, Zab Judah, the southpaw from Brooklyn N.Y. made his return to the ring after a six-month suspension to face Omar Weis, a middle of the road type fighter who’s claim to fame was exposing Hector Camacho Jr., who at the time was mysteriously rated #1 contender by the WBC. Weis is an Argentine fighter who is accustomed to being on the wrong end of decisions in close fights.

In Judah’s last fight against Kostya Tszyu, Zab was doing well in the first round, catching Tszyu with good shots. Then in the second round, he started getting a little cocky, backing away from Tszyu with his hands down. Tszyu caught him with a well-timed punch that sent Judah to the canvas. When Judah got knocked down, he tried to get up too quickly and since his equilibrium wasn’t back just yet, he fell down again in a most awkward looking series of steps which has become the butt end of many a joke.

After falling twice from the same knockdown, referee Jay Nady halted the contest. A moment later, Zab, regained his wits and realized that the fight was over and that he had lost. Judah threw a tantrum like a spoiled child. He threw a stool into the center of the ring and stuck his glove in Nady’s throat. After the melee ensued, Judah’s father Yoel struggled to restrain his son. Judah was suspended for a short period in what seemed like a ‘slap on the wrist’ punishment for his unsportsmanly actions.

After exposing Hector Camacho Jr. back in March of this year, Omar Weis fought again only a month later, taking on young Arturo Urena (11-2) and won a not-so-convincing ten round decision. Three months later, he would be in the ring again, this time to face the former IBF Jr. Welterweight Champion, Zabdiel Judah for a ten round non-title fight.

Omar Weis is a blue-collar fighter who works hard and stays busy throughout his fights. His stamina is good and his heart is in the right place but he simply doesn’t possess the tools to be a serious threat in the 140-pound division. Weis is not much of a puncher and his balance is not very good. It is his tenacity and dedication to winning that makes him an exciting fighter to watch.

Getting robbed in decisions is nothing new for Weis. In June of 2000, he beat Antonio Diaz (33-2-0) in Indio California, Diaz’ backyard, where he lost a Unanimous Decision. In his homeland of Argentina, he scored a Draw against aged Ricardo Daniel Silva (59-15-2) in Dec. of 2000. In April of 2001, he lost a controversial decision against Carlos Wilfredo Vilches (31-1-2) in a Split Decision in Argentina. Then in December of 2001, he outworked Ray Oliveira (42-8-1) in Ray’s hometown and got a bogus Draw decision. He scored another Draw to Alejandro Jimenez (10-21) in a six round match. Weis seemed the perfect prey for the bogus; Hector “Not-So-Macho” Camacho Jr. (33-0) to get an easy win. But Weis was so clearly dominant over Camacho Jr. that he actually won a decision.

Hardcore fight fans know that Omar Weis is likely to be overlooked by the Judges in close fights. Those ingredients made him the perfect ‘come back’ fight for Zab Judah, in spite of the ranting of Bobby Czyz and Steve Alberts of Showtime, who insisted that Judah was so brave for taking on such a tough challenger in Weis, whom they labeled as a ‘spoiler,’ as if beating Camacho Jr. was some big accomplishment. It wasn’t. To beat Camacho Jr. all you had to do was be a member of the living.

´The Fight

In the first round, Weis poured himself all over the rusty Judah and won the first round by outworking and scoring just a tad more than Judah. In the second round, a Judah left hook put Weis on the canvas. But Weis popped back up almost instantly and was back in the mix. Had Weis not gotten knocked down in that round, I would have given him a 10-9 round but since he was downed, it was a 10-8 round in favor of Judah.

Judah was the more effective puncher throughout the fight, landing the cleaner, more accurate punches. Zab rocked Weis a few times in the 3rd and 4th, winning those rounds. The referee, Fred Steinwinder III was always warning Weis whenever an irregularity occurred. Since the ref always addressed Weis and never Judah, it appeared the ref was pro-Zab Judah.

From the 5th to the 8th rounds Weis outworked Judah and I scored those three rounds for Weis. At one point in the 6th round, Judah went down from what was visually confirmed to be a trip. Weis also head-butted Judah in both the 6th and 7th rounds, leaving Zab a mouse under his left eye as a result. Although Steinwinder seemed pro Judah, he never took points from Weis for the infractions.

In the 9th, Judah rocked Weis again and seemed to take over the fight. But in the 10th round, Weis gave all he had and in my opinion out hustled Judah to the finish. After tallying up my scorecard, I had it 95-94 for Omar Weis. I knew that could only mean one thing; Judah would win the decision.

Why was I so sure?

Because the fight was on Showtime and Judah is a Showtime contracted fighter. In a close fight, he was a lock to get the decision. When the Judge’s scorecards were read, I wasn’t even surprised at the disparity between my card and theirs.

The three Judges scores were as follows:

Elmo Adolph – 97-93 Judah

Randy Phillips – 96-92 Judah

David Taranto – 96-93 Judah

Although I felt that Weis had done enough to win a very close decision, Weis never did hurt Judah, while Judah definitely rocked Weis a few times, including the 2nd round knockdown. But ultimately, it appeared that all Judah had to do to win was not get knocked out. How the Judges figure their scores is one of the unsolved mysteries of pro Boxing. Since the Promoters pay Judges, it seems the only way to beat a contracted house fighter is by knockout, only then there’s no question left as to who won. Considering Weis’ lack of power, and history of being jobbed by Judges, this was practically a fixed fight by my estimation.

As for Weis, I think his stock continues to go up. He will get many more good fights because he puts on a good show without much of a risk to the featured/favored fighter. If you’re not a legitimate fighter, Weis has the ability to expose you for such. Expect to see lots more of Omar.

As for Judah, ultimately, I still think he’s over-rated. I doubt he would beat some of the top names in the Jr. Welterweight division, which is fairly well stocked with talent. But to assume anyone could beat anyone else without them actually fighting it out-- is an exercise in futility. I don’t see Judah dominating the division anytime soon. As for a rematch with the unified Champ, Kostya Tszyu, Judah doesn’t even deserve such an opportunity until he proves he can beat the likes of Diobelys Hurtado (WBA), Ben Tackie (IBF), Ricky Hatton or DeMarcus Corley (WBO).

I’d like to see how Judah would fare against Arturo Gatti, who is not the best boxer, but has a hell of a punch. A rematch with Irish Mickey Ward would also be interesting. What do you think?

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