Tszyu stops Judah in the second round in Las Vegas
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There must be something in the water.
On Saturday night, November 4th at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, junior welterweight champ Kostya Tszyu knocked out Zab Judah from Brownsville, Brooklyn with a second to go in the second round, to capture the undisputed 140-pound title.
Tszyu, 28-1-1, a Russian by way of Australia, entered the fight a 3-1 underdog, despite the fact he has fought better fighters than the lightning-quick Judah.
After Tszyu made his entrance toward the ring accompanied by his handlers, to a rock song sung by a blond Russian bombshell with a voice like a blaring firetruck, Judah started his procession, with a hip-hop rhythm blasting in the background. And who was the big lug with his arm protectively around Judah's shoulder? It was none other than "Bitin'" Mike Tyson, a predicate felon from Brownsville, who once had Evander Holyfield's ears for dessert in a Las Vegas ring.
Talk about portent of things to come.
After a first round dominated by Judah's fast fists, Tszyu took control in the second round. With about 10 seconds left in the round, Tszyu nailed Judah with a right to the chops. It was a glancing blow, but it propelled Judah into full retreat. Tszyu chased forward, and instead of juking, Judah went straight back, chin exposed.
Bad mistake.
Tszyu sprung forward and propelled a right cross than exploded on the point of Judah's chin. Judah went down flat on his back, like he had been shot out of a cannon.
Before referee Jay Nady could pick up the count from the timekeeper, Judah foolishly sprung to his feet, on unsteady legs. He staggered past the referee, then waved his right glove at the ref, like a drunk telling the bartender bye bye. Judah's legs did another wobbly jig, then he stumbled face forward and kissed the canvas a second time.
Nady quickly waved his hands indicating the fight was over. Judah tried to get to his feet again, but if the ref didn't grab both of Judah's wrists and force him upright, Judah looked like he was ready to go down for a third time. All this from one punch, that landed as Judah was going back. Imagine if Judah had caught the full brunt of Tszyu's right hand. He might still be going up and down like a boozed-up jack-in-the-box.
