Stupor Zab

He was a guy with that rare A+ physical attributes, but he flunked all mental departments, letting much weaker fighters dictate the flow. I agree, he should be on regular TV, and in the days of Tuesday Night Fights, he wouldn't make the card. One reason... although they were often fighters of much less caliber, they fought toe-to-tow and TNF made great match-ups! Zab, his last exciting fight for me was 2006 when he KOd the way over-rate Spinks! Disregard below unless you want to hear more about a guy that's not worth the time. I wrote it else where but I felt it might be suited here as he is a stiff!

Link to a post about Zab /postingforum/post01/showmessage.aspx?spt=39&sub=101769197

Judah has always been A+ level in physical attributes, but often against weak opposition, he performed on their level (or just a little less than them causing such losses). Alexander reminds me of Judah although he doesn't have the same superior athleticism, but the same lack of mental smarts, awareness and toughness. The only bet I made very well on Judah was his rematch against Cory Spinks. RJJ made a well known but very accurate comment about boxers fighting in their hometown. He stated when they are even money or highly favored, they try to do to much to impress hometown fans and often lose sight of the goal, winning. When they are considered decent underdogs it plays to their advantage (via Shawn Porter and nice post by LarryParker; I stated Devon's mental weakness in strategy and toughness could play a part if Porter showed he can compete in top level opposition).

When Cory Spinks won the first bout against Judah in Las Vegas, his rematch was in his hometown. The opening odds were Judah -160 and over 11.5 -250. Spinks being way over-rated, and now in his home town and the champion, I found online odds of Judah from -110 to +120 when Pinnacle and other sportsbooks were at their peak before a late 2006 shutdown of US bettors. I found props of Judah to win within the distance, included a DQ, etc, all but a NC, which I'd lose. Judah was +375 to win ITD which a small prop bet (15% of my straight wager) made it a little more exciting, but I didn't think it was a high +EV play at all. Judah at even money still scared me with his lack of mental focus, but I felt he had less mental pressure and Spinks now had all the mental pressure, and I was hoping a regression to the means would pay off, and it did, of all the fighters with him! LOL

Judah despite previously great physical attributes, he performs below par. He has never adjusted, nor will he this point in his career. You asked why he didn't take a few light shots to get in, I believe he fights one way and if it doesn't go his way he won't chance anything.

Judah won't absorb a little as he never has if he had the option, therefore making a fighter with great physical attributes an under-achiever. He seems to let fighters much weaker than him dictate the fight. Sorry if it didn't fit your question you were looking for, or statement! Judah let me down enough twice, that I took one shot on him against the rematch with Spinks and stayed away from him unless betting against him. Devon Alexander lets fighters dictate the tempo also despite some good physical attributes. Judah doesn't adjust his game plan pre-fight, he lacks the ability to change during the fight (not very many fighters can do this well enough to change a fight).Malignaggi lacks in the physical attributes but he makes up for it being strategic and tough minded, and is also a good ring technician. What he lacks in physical attributes, he compensates much more with his mentality. 

I remember Evander when he moved up to Heavyweight stating, boxing is 90% mental, in regards to training, preparation, using any means (especially elbows and headbutts) to win the fight. Hopkins is nearing age 50, exposed undefeated Cloud as a typical fighter unable to fight while moving. He did the same to Pavlik and so many others. On athletes using weed... I think that would hurt them "Michigan Commission changes the result from a TKO after 2 for Tyson to an NC, due to Tyson testing positive for marijuana after the fight.") I would love my opponents to be smoking herb during training and during the fight.

Zab lacks mental awareness, focus, ring smarts, etc... nearly every category in mental abilities, takes the great physical abilities (or what he was in his prime) and diminishes them as if he didn't possess them.

Man I was so high on Super Zab but the Tszyu incident really started his downfall from being an overly immature/extremely talented professional into basically an "opponent". I was actually surprised he beat Vernon Paris.