By Mark Vester

Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey - Zab Judah (41-6, 28KOs) knocked out Kaizer Mabuza (23-7-3, 14KOs) in seven rounds to capture the vacant IBF junior welterweight title.

After Judah started fast with a very good first round, Mabzua started to put on the pressure in the second. Judah stayed on the move and threw counters as Mabuza came in. Mabuza was able to hurt Judah at the end of the sixth but couldn't follow it up. Judah coasted to get out of trouble. Then in the seventh, Judah landed a bomb that sent Mabuza down into the ropes and nearly out cold. The ref let it continue but Judah unloaded with a massive flurry of shots to close the show.

In a middleweight contest, 39-year-old Tarvis Simms (27-1, 11KOs) returned from a lengthy layoff to win an eight round unanimous decision over John Mackey (13-5, 6KOs). The most exciting part of this fight was the few seconds where the two boxers were trading punches after the bell. The scores were 78-74, 79-73 and 80-72.

Junior welterweight Jose Peralta Alejo (6-1, 4KOs) stopped Clifford McPherson (2-4) in the first round. It appeared that McPherson broke his right hand and went down in pain. He was unable to continue.

Welterweight Vinny O'Brien (1-0, 1KOs) had a good pro debut with a third round technical knockout of David Navarro (0-2). O'Brien swelled up Navarro's face, especially the right eye, with numerous right hands that were landing all night.

Lightweight prospect Shemuel Pagan (2-0, 1KOs) of Brooklyn, had an easy time taking out Marcos Garcia (0-4) in the first round.

Welterweight prospect Joseph "Chris" Crosby (6-1, 1 KO) pulled off a four round split decision over Greg Hackett (2-6). Scores were 40-36, 39-37 for Crosby, and 39-37 for Hackett. Crosby is already set to return to the ring on April 15 against Marcus Hall (4-3, 2KOs) at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York.