By Chris Robinson
At 33 years of age, reigning IBF junior welterweight champion Zab Judah will be the first to tell you that he has settled down a bit since his more exuberant days in the sport. Facing off with WBA champion Amir Khan in a unification tilt on July 23rd at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Judah's veteran guile mixed with his still-explosive power and quickness figure to give him a serious chance at pulling off the upset over the British star.
But while it's true that Judah has matured in recent years, it doesn't mean he won't came at you with some serious vigor, as evidenced by his lively training session inside of the nearby H.I.T. Factory gym. With the HBO camera crews in town to capture all of the action, the Brooklyn native didn't disappoint as he put on a show in engaging in some serious sparring with undefeated lightweight prospect Wanzell Ellison from New Jersey.
The first round was a feeling out process as Judah was content to start slow and even took a few shots along the way. But as the action continued Zab got comfortable and began putting in solid work on the inside from unorthodox southpaw stance.
Quick uppercuts began to find their mark for Judah as the rounds passed by and his energy never wavered. Throughout all of the six rounds members from the two fighters' camps began barking and hollering at one another. Ellison is a talented kid and he had some moments but Judah was often in control and seems very focused with the Khan showdown a little over a month away.
After the session was over Judah was begging for 'another six rounds' and had a few more playful words for Ellison, who took everything in stride. Watching the action from ringside was WBC and WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, who admittedly has been connecting with Zab in recent weeks and also offered up some advice for his fellow champion.
Just another day in the gym for Judah but a sure sign of just how dangerous he is going to be come July 23rd.
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