The final press conference of the Zab Judah vs. Kaizer Mabuza PPV card was held Wednesday afternoon from the Brick City Bar and Grill, Newark, NJ. Zab was on hand with his son, Zab Jr., trainer Pernell Whitaker and the rest of the team, and fighters from the rest of the event were on hand as well. Check out some quotes and video clips to see what everyone had to say prior to their bouts.
Judah-Mabuza Final Presser Video Clips:
Judah-Mabuza Final Presser Photos:
Kathy Duva: “Since Zab came back to Main Events in July, he has done everything we have asked, gone above and beyond. He is taking all the steps he needs to take to regain that Jr welterweight title that he first won so many years ago, coincidentally against a South African. Before he can succeed he has to deal with this gentleman, Kaizer Mabuza, who has the same idea. Kaizer Mabuza has come here all the way from South Africa. I am sure he has worked his entire life to get to the same place. They both have the same goal.
“Some of you may have seen Kaizer Mabuza when he first came to NJ and scored an upset against Kendall Holt. We know what he can do; we know what Zab can do. There are so many fights that people talk about lately and the results are a foregone conclusion. This is not the case here. We have a very explosive combination of styles that is going to make for an amazing event. We are not just going through the motions here, this is about do or die for both of them.”
Kaizer Mabuza: “I’m glad to be back in America. It’s an honor to me to fight a person like Zab Judah. I think he had his time; he’s a former world champion. I think this is my time, because I’m still hungry for success. And I promise him, when I take the ring I change, I become a new man. I’m hungry for success so you have to expect that it will be like fireworks!”
Kathy Duva, speaking of Pernell Whitaker training Zab Judah: “I was privileged to start my career with Pernell Whitaker. I got to sit ringside for almost every fight he had with my heart in my throat the whole time, begging him to stop doing that! Zab is very privileged to now have Pernell working with him. As he says, reminding him of the things he has to do. Teaching him how to deal with whatever is going to be thrown at him on Saturday night and in the future.”
Pernell Whitaker: “First of all I’m not here to talk about strategy. I think I’ve given Zab enough, that he has enough in his toolkit for this particular fight. He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do; he’s done a little more. Whatever Zab used to do in the past, is in the past, and now he has a new direction, a great direction. He’s one of boxing’s best. So I expect to see that.”
“The name of the sport is called boxing. You don’t call it knockout. You can go get that on video. He’s got all the finesse, and finesse and speed brings power. All the old habits Zab once had are no longer there. He’s listening. You guys are gonna see, defense makes offense.”
Zab Judah: “Pernell has been a great influence. I think we are going to Def Comedy Jam after this! Not only has Pernell Whitaker brought great skills to me, but he tweaked my whole world. He also brought humor, entertainment and kept the camp happy. He brought a lot of excitement, joy and fun. We had a great training camp in Las Vegas. We trained very, very hard for this fight. He came in for a six weeks of training camp, but I’d been training myself long before that. I kind of skipped Christmas and New Years and focused on Kaizer Mabuza. I kept my mind focused on the plan. I mean, I’m ready.”
“In the past I have predicted rounds, knockouts, etc, etc. This fight I prepared myself for twelve rounds. I’ve prepared myself for 100%. You know there’s a myth about Zab’s gonna fade and all that. For this fight, I went to the master right here (Pernell Whitaker). He’s known for going 12 rounds; he’s known for being the best fighter out there. His defensive skills are phenomenal, his offensive skills are phenomenal. I took what he’s got and put it with what I’ve got and ya’ll know what that’s gonna bring. It’s gonna be magic.”
“As a young kid I mimicked and idolized Pernell Whitaker coming up, and watched him and Mike Tyson. Those two styles are different. You got one deep to the body, you got one aggressive fighter, so I mixed the both of them in and I got Zab Judah.”
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for bringing me here. I respect Kaizer Mabuza for what he’s done and his climb to the top. Me and my trainers, we’ve prepared ourselves well for this opportunity. He’s a young man here (Mabuza), he has a lot of time to come back and try to do this again, but this Saturday night is not his time. I respect him for coming over and taking this opportunity, but Saturday night you will see a five time champion of the world!”
“Americans are missing one thing – they’re missing an American hero, and I’m here to take over that spot.”
Kathy Duva, speaking about the undercard: “We are moving into a new room at Prudential Center, a fabulous space that is going to be an intimate boxing club that we intend to continue using as time goes on. Starting out, we have not only a card that includes a big world title fight, but also a lot of young fighters that you’re going to see again and again. What we’re going to see on Saturday night are some people who are going to be the future world champions, people that you’re going to look back one day and say, ‘Yeah, I saw his pro debut, I saw him in his fifth or tenth fight.’ That’s the type of fights we are bringing here.”
“On the undercard we have Jose Peralta of Jersey City, who upset Steven Martinez in his last fight. Making a fight for this fighter (Peralta) has been particularly trying for Jolene (Mizzone) and Russell Peltz, our matchmakers, because 5 opponents have backed out on this fellow and that is a testament to how good he must be.”
“We have a gentleman who’s kind of in the same position Zab was in, “Marvelous” Tarvis Simms. He wants to get back on top, wants to fight his way back into the rankings and is hopefully gonna follow the same pattern and get there. He is 26-1-1, with 11KO’s. This is his first fight at 160 pounds in over 2 years. He intends to challenge in the middleweight tournament hopefully by the end of this year, and no later than the beginning of next year.”
“Sadam Ali has fought at Prudential Center 7 times. He’s a former 2008 Olympian. He will be fighting in his toughest fight to date against Juliano Ramos of Brazil, who has fought Mike Jones and Kermit Cintron, so this is definitely a step up in class.”
“On the card we also have Shemuel Pagan of Brooklyn, who made his pro debut with us and made quite an impression in a really exciting fight. He is a former NY Golden Gloves Champion.”
“Another Brooklynite on the card is Chris Crosby. He is Zab’s brother, he is 5-1, and he will be fighting his second pro fight.”
“Making his pro debut will be Vinny O’Brien from East Hanover, NJ. He has been making quite a stir. He is managed by Lou Esa, a gentleman who fought in Ice World many years ago.”
FIGHT INFO: The fight promoted by Main Events and Super Judah Promotions will take place on March 5th at Prudential Center’s AmeriHealth Pavilion, Newark, NJ. Doors open at 7:30pm, First fight 8:00pm. Tickets priced at $253 Ringside, $103 Reserved seating on floor, $88 General Admission in Bleachers and $53 GA Standing Room on floor. Tickets available at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com
Judah vs. Mabuza will be distributed in North American by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
