Zabdiel Judah was an American professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2019. He achieved considerable success, holding world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed welterweight title in 2005 and the lineal championship from 2005 to 2006. Earlier in his career, he held the IBF and WBO junior welterweight titles between 2000 and 2004, regaining the IBF title in 2011. Judah's career concluded in 2019 following a stoppage loss to Cletus Seldin, which resulted in a brain bleed and hospitalization.
October 27, 1977: Birth of Zab Judah
Zabdiel Judah was born on October 27, 1977.
September 20, 1996: Professional Debut
Zab Judah made his professional debut on September 20, 1996, defeating Michael Johnson by technical knockout.
1996: Amateur Boxing Achievements and Olympic Trials
In 1996, Zab Judah achieved several amateur boxing titles, including two-time US national champion and three-time New York Golden Gloves Champion. He also won the 1996 PAL National Championship, but lost in the Olympic trials finals, preventing him from qualifying for the Olympic team, although he attended as an alternate.
1996: Start of Professional Boxing Career
Zab Judah began his professional boxing career in 1996.
April 14, 1998: Victory over Angel Beltre
On April 14, 1998, Judah defeated Angel Beltre in the second round.
October 15, 1998: USBA Light Welterweight Title Defense
On October 15, 1998, Judah successfully defended his USBA Light Welterweight title by stopping Darryl Tyson in the eleventh round.
January 1999: Interim IBF Light Welterweight Title
Judah won the Interim IBF Light Welterweight title in January 1999 by knocking out Wilfredo Negron in the fourth round.
March 1999: No Contest Against Esteban Flores
In March 1999, a fight between Zab Judah and Esteban Flores ended in a no contest due to an accidental headbutt.
May 1999: Official Ruling Change
In May 1999, the result of the Judah vs. Flores fight, originally a technical draw, was changed to a no contest.
February 12, 2000: IBF Light Welterweight Champion
On February 12, 2000, Judah defeated Jan Piet Bergman to win the vacant IBF Light Welterweight title.
June 20, 2000: First Title Defense
Judah successfully defended his IBF Light Welterweight title against Junior Witter on June 20, 2000, winning by unanimous decision.
August 5, 2000: Second Title Defense
On August 5, 2000, Judah defended his title against Terron Millett, winning by knockout in the fourth round despite being knocked down in the first.
October 20, 2000: Third Title Defense
Judah's third title defense was on October 20, 2000, when he stopped Hector Quiroz in the eighth round.
2000: Wins IBF and WBO Junior Welterweight Titles
Zab Judah held the IBF and WBO junior welterweight titles between 2000 and 2004.
January 13, 2001: Fourth Title Defense
On January 13, 2001, Judah secured his fourth title defense with a tenth-round TKO against Reggie Green.
June 23, 2001: Fifth Title Defense
Judah's fifth successful title defense took place on June 23, 2001, when he defeated Allan Vester by knockout in the third round.
November 3, 2001: Loss to Kostya Tszyu
On November 3, 2001, Judah faced Kostya Tszyu for the Undisputed Light Welterweight Championship and lost by technical knockout in the second round. This marked Judah's first professional loss.
July 2002: Victory over Omar Weis
Zab Judah defeated Omar Weis by unanimous decision in July 2002.
July 12, 2003: Wins WBO Light Welterweight Title
On July 12, 2003, Judah won the WBO Light Welterweight title against DeMarcus Corley by split decision, despite breaking his left hand during the bout.
December 13, 2003: WBO Title Defense
Judah defended his WBO title on December 13, 2003, with a first-round knockout victory over Jaime Rangel.
April 10, 2004: Loss to Cory Spinks
On April 10, 2004, Judah challenged Cory Spinks for the Undisputed Welterweight Championship but lost by unanimous decision.
2004: Victories over Pineda and Martell
In 2004, Judah defeated Rafael Pineda by split decision and Wayne Martell by first-round TKO.
2004: Loss of IBF and WBO Junior Welterweight Titles
Zab Judah lost the IBF and WBO junior welterweight titles in 2004.
February 5, 2005: Rematch and Victory over Cory Spinks
On February 5, 2005, Judah had a rematch with Cory Spinks and won by TKO in the ninth round to become the Undisputed Welterweight Champion.
May 14, 2005: Judah vs. Rivera
On May 14, 2005, Zab Judah faced Cosme Rivera at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Judah dominated the fight, knocking down Rivera multiple times before the referee stopped the fight in the third round, securing a victory for Judah.
2005: Undisputed Welterweight Champion
In 2005, Zab Judah became the undisputed welterweight champion.
2005: Zab Judah declares faith after fight
In 2005, after a fight against Spinks, Zab Judah publicly thanked "his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," indicating his Christian faith. This declaration came amidst his family's Jewish beliefs, as his father is a Black Hebrew Israelite.
January 7, 2006: Judah vs. Baldomir
On January 7, 2006, Zab Judah fought Carlos Baldomir at Madison Square Garden. Despite being the favorite, Judah lost the match by unanimous decision. He showed unsportsmanlike conduct by punching Baldomir during the prefight introductions.
April 8, 2006: Judah vs. Mayweather Jr.
Zab Judah fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. on April 8, 2006, at the Thomas and Mack Center. This fight occurred despite Judah's previous loss to Baldomir, impacting the earnings for both fighters.
July 2006: Arrest after celebrity basketball game
In July 2006, Zab Judah was arrested at Madison Square Garden after a celebrity basketball game due to a Family Court warrant. This incident marked a controversial moment in his personal life.
2006: Baldomir's Upset Victory
In 2006, Carlos Baldomir's victory over Zab Judah was named the Upset of the Year by The Ring magazine. Though the IBF still recognized Judah as their champion, Baldomir won the lineal, WBC, and The Ring titles.
2006: Loss of Lineal Championship
Zab Judah lost his lineal championship in 2006.
2006: Attempted robbery involving rapper Fabolous' crew
In 2006, Zab Judah was targeted by the Street Fam Crew, linked to rapper Fabolous. An attempted robbery occurred while Judah stood by his car in New York City. The muggers crashed and fled, but two were captured shortly after.
June 9, 2007: Judah vs. Cotto
Zab Judah lost to Miguel Cotto on June 9, 2007, at Madison Square Garden. Despite landing some blows and Cotto receiving a point deduction for low blows, Judah was eventually overwhelmed by Cotto's aggressive style, leading to a referee stoppage in the eleventh round.
August 2007: Nightclub altercation in New York
In August 2007, Zab Judah was involved in a nightclub fight in New York after being struck by an assailant, which led to a brawl. The club's review suggested a possible premeditated attack against Judah.
September 7, 2007: Judah vs. Vazquez
On September 7, 2007, Zab Judah won against Edwin Vazquez by unanimous decision at the Hard Rock resort in Biloxi, despite injuring his left hand and suffering a cut above his left eye.
November 17, 2007: Judah vs. Davis
On November 17, 2007, Zab Judah defeated Ryan Davis by unanimous decision in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, winning the vacant IBC light middleweight title. The fight continued despite rain starting in the third round, during which Judah also scored a knockdown.
May 31, 2008: Judah vs. Mosley Postponed
Zab Judah's scheduled fight against Shane Mosley on May 31, 2008, was postponed due to Judah injuring his right arm in a household accident.
August 2, 2008: Judah vs. Clottey
On August 2, 2008, Zab Judah lost to Joshua Clottey by technical decision due to a cut above Judah's right eye. The fight was for the vacant IBF Welterweight title and took place at the Palms Casino Resort.
November 8, 2008: Judah vs. Johnson
Zab Judah won against Ernest Johnson by unanimous decision on November 8, 2008, at Madison Square Garden, despite suffering two cuts from accidental headbutts.
November 6, 2009: Judah vs. Hernandez
On November 6, 2009, Zab Judah secured a TKO victory against Ubaldo Hernandez in the second round at Palms Resort in Las Vegas.
June 2010: Judah's tune-up fight and division change
In June 2010, Zab Judah announced his plan to move down to the light welterweight division to rejuvenate his career. He co-promoted a tune-up fight against Jose Armando Santa Cruz on July 16, 2010, which he won by TKO in the third round.
November 6, 2010: Victory over Lucas Matthysse
On November 6, 2010, Zab Judah won a split decision against Lucas Matthysse for the vacant NABO Light Welterweight title at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, marking his return to the light welterweight division after almost seven years.
2010: Fight negotiations with Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley
In 2010, Zab Judah was considered for fights with Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley. Despite publicly challenging both, Judah declined a match that year but pledged to fight them after a tune-up fight scheduled for July 16, 2010, at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
March 5, 2011: Judah reclaims IBF Light Welterweight title
On March 5, 2011, Zab Judah defeated Kaizer Mabuza by technical knockout in the seventh round at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, to reclaim the IBF Light Welterweight title after nearly ten years, with assistance from former champion Pernell Whitaker in his training camp.
July 23, 2011: Loss to Amir Khan in unification bout
On July 23, 2011, Zab Judah fought Amir Khan in a unification bout in Las Vegas, where he was knocked out in the fifth round. Khan was ahead on all judges' scorecards. Judah disputed the decision, claiming the body shot was low and expected a recovery period.
2011: Regains IBF Title
Zab Judah regained the IBF title in 2011.
April 27, 2013: Scheduled fight with Danny García
Zab Judah was scheduled to fight Danny García on February 9 at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, but the fight was postponed to April 27, 2013, due to García sustaining a rib injury during training.
December 7, 2013: Defeat against Paulie Malignaggi
On December 7, 2013, Zab Judah lost to Paulie Malignaggi at the Barclays Center for the NABF welterweight title. Despite starting strong, Judah was outboxed by Malignaggi, losing by unanimous decision. The fight was for the "King of Brooklyn" belt.
January 2017: Return fight against Jorge Luis Munguia
In January 2017, Zab Judah announced his return to boxing after three years and fought Jorge Luis Munguia on January 21, 2017. The fight at Sun National Bank Center in New Jersey ended in a second-round TKO victory for Judah.
June 7, 2019: Judah's fight and hospitalization after loss to Cletus Seldin
On June 7, 2019, Zab Judah, 41, fought Cletus Seldin at Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York and was stopped in the eleventh round. Post-fight, Judah was hospitalized for a brain bleed but later recovered, marking a likely end to his boxing career.
2019: End of Boxing Career and Hospitalization
In 2019, Zab Judah's boxing career ended after he was hospitalized due to a brain bleed suffered during a loss to Cletus Seldin.