Zab Judah vs Micky Ward - Highlights (UNDERRATED BATTLE)

#zabjudah #zabjudahhighlights #zabjudahvsmickyward
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** NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED **
June 7th, 1998. 20 year old Zab “Super” Judah takes on veteran “Irish” Micky Ward for the USBA Interim Light Welterweight Title. Going into the fight, Ward was already a 13 year veteran of the sport and have fought 12 round fights many times while Judah had only fought past the 8th round once in his young career. This fight was seen as a test for the young, upcoming Judah who had a good amateur career with a record of 110-5. This is also Judah’s first ever title fight.
Going into the fight Judah was 15(11)-0 since making his professional debut back in September 1996, a month short of his 19th birthday. On the other hand, Micky Ward had a record of 31(22)-8 with notable wins over Alfonso Sanchez, Louis Veader (2x), Tony Martin and Frankie Warren.
For the most part of the fight, Judah outboxes the veteran with his hand speed, defensive skills and combination punching. However, the incredibly tough Irishman continues to push the fight relentlessly and able to land good shots from time to time despite being outboxed for the most part. While this appears to be a one sided fight, it is in no way boring as it was action packed and Ward’s persistence in pushing the action despite the clear disparity in speed and boxing skills.
"It's the closest lopsided fight I think you will find."
- Bob Pappa
In Round 1, Judah was warned for a hard low blow with referee Jorge Alonso giving Ward the 5 minute recovery time. Then in Round 9, Ward returned the favor. However, neither were penalized for the fouls. Throughout the fight, both fighters exchanged taunts in the ring.
Note that neither of these two mentioned fouls are featured in the highlights.
Interestingly, Ward was fighting with the southpaw stance in most rounds despite being more effective fighting in the orthodox stance as Al Bernstein noted. Going into the 9th round, Bernstein's unofficial scorecard was 89-82 in favor of Zab Judah.
In a 2013 interview, Zab Judah have stated Micky Ward to be his toughest opponent.
Enjoy the highlights of this underrated Junior Welterweight bout and be sure to comment, rate and subscribe! Muchos gracias and never stop punching!

[@seancarter7954]

Whose here after Vlad interview?

[@garvinjoseph5131]

Sean Carter yes sir 💯

[@KDASH201]

2:40

[@chrisclincy2010]

@@KDASH201 that shit looked painful.

[@seancarter7954]

KDASH201 yooo... he was really running around after that

[@qward2174]

🙋🏾‍♂️😁😎🤣🤣

[@RogueLegend6]

Wow.. I never even knew Ward and Judah fought. Amazing fight and Under rated for sure...

[@eastside313yahdig.2]

RogueLegend6 Zab talks about it on vlad interview, he said he was his toughest and wanna to stop the fight after ward gave him that kidney shot.

[@therealscrappyog]

Vlad goddamn tv

[@speigelspike3600]

Maybe this was at a time when they were both underrated and had less attention at the time. That's why it was underrated ?

[@SauceWorld]

It's cuz yall DKSAB

[@user-wu8gt5sz3d]

Перевести

[@mantulotto6254]

Zab: I think he broke my ribs Zab Dad: I dont give a shit about yo ribs, use your other rib. Go out and fight. Lol

[@Wildcard0094]

Garvey Lotto he said this was his toughest fight. I guess Floyd was nowhere near his toughest competition 😂 yeah right!

[@mantulotto6254]

@@Wildcard0094 I kno right lol

[@talhaejax8589]

@@Wildcard0094 Floyd beat him

[@josebarrera1497]

Fuck them ribs😆😆😆😆

[@vailimaconnoisseur6538]

@Elias Bennett fuck vlad

[@rogerwilliams4742]

This fight really sums up Zab. Beautiful offense with a lot of defensive lapses. It also sums up Mick, a tough and rugged mfr.

[@grahamjonathan762]

In one💪

[@kevdimo6459]

True but i remember Mickey for being just as tough right to the end of his career! Zab i remember whinging and complaining every time he got beat. Loved Kostya’s Knockout of Zab and his bad sportsmanship after.

[@aronlane4664]

Beautiful defense too except when he was young except for a few dopey/ lazy lapses , Jan Bergman was the first fight I saw him in , he got caught in that fight but recovered, he looked like a little Tyson

[@vincentfisher1603]

Nothin' beats a father's love.

[@bobohannon7091]

Right if ward had speed he would have been a monster.

[@time4advancement244]

2:43 - The punch that broke Judah's rib

[@manosparavida3551]

Possessing skills like that at only 20 yrs of age, shows what an incredible talent Judah was. One of the neatest boxer's of the last 20 yrs.

[@donjohnson3888]

Ward was a part time fighter. People forget he was working construction basically the entire time he was a professional. He was an excellent action fighter and had a good story, but when he got in there with A-Level guys, his journeyman status really showed.

[@joeygonzo]

Did you know he fought in the undercard of the Leonard-Hagler fight ? First time I saw him was in that card.

[@donjohnson3888]

Just looked that up. I had no idea.

[@slewofdamascus]

what I see when I look at Ward's career is someone who because of his handling (by those who purported to have his best interests at-heart) was essentially ruined. It is only because of his innate talent that once freed (to a degree) from that backwards handling (in his 30s) that we saw glimpses of what he truly might have been able to do had he been groomed to be a champion by a championship trainer (and a championship team). This kid had unique traits that could have made him one of the all-time greats. He had power in both hands. And no one delivered a body shot better in his class. This fight is a classic example of the underachievement. Ward is the better innate fighter but his confidence (and knowledge) is in the toilet. Contrast this with his fight against Neery when Ward's confidence was unwavering. It was a clinic. Jmo, of course.

[@jamescross5678]

Journeyman status, I've seen my share of them and Ward was a step above that. His body work was second to none he was definitely a world class fighter.

[@dylansmith829]

idk if he better the judah.... he had great speed and even gave mayweather problems for the first 8 rounds

[@yankees29]

That left hook to the body in Round 8 was brutal. You can visibly see Zab hurt.

[@user-tt4is9zj2w]

Ward was tough as nails ill never forget the trilogy with Arturo... Round 9 true boxing fans know whats up

[@AvoidTheseMemes]

Brawler fans

[@kasheem1747]

Ward is at end right here , just passing down the torch

[@daboss000]

the speed of young Zab was a problem

[@bflo1000]

Zab was good.

[@smokinjoe4684]

Only real Mayweather Jr knockdown. In that fight he also best himself.

[@obatron1]

Facts

[@obatron1]

Clint Eastwood Yup, ref missed it.

[@clemsontigz1]

Yes it was my friend. Zab had a pop to his punches , much like Mayweathers . They rarley sit all the way down on punches becuase they like to stay on there toes but speed ? If you give me the option for power or speed ? I want speed

[@kennethwise7108]

Back in the day when the best fought the best. Gone are those days. Now its all about the mighty dollar more so than being a Champion

[@underrated7725]

Judah looked like he wanted to kneel down after that rib shot but he played it off well 😂😂

[@yoursportsnow9729]

It's called "fighting through", no one plays something off in a pro fight.

[@oflex1735]

here because Judah told Vlad that Ward was his toughest fight.

[@sulaak]

He was lying, he schooled Ward from round 1 to 12. Kostya Tazyu was his toughest fight.

[@mullahmusic9011]

sulaak nah Floyd was. Niggas hate givin Floyd his props that’s all

[@oflex1735]

how ya'll gonna tell him who was his hardest fight?. lol.

[@mullahmusic9011]

O Flex look at the tape bruh lying go compare this fight to floyds

[@oflex1735]

@@mullahmusic9011 the Ward fight was earlier in his career and a good Liver shot can have you all kinds of fucked up.

[@skininthegame5236]

Judah said this was his toughest fight. Said he asked his father to stop the fight after that liver shot in round 8.

[@orlandob9958]

If I had to call his most difficult bout I would say cotto. The body work tore Judah down.

[@Va1eri3405]

@@orlandob9958 you mean the low blows*

[@Lacuadraboxeo.]

@@Va1eri3405 there's always that idiot

[@joaoii1082]

@@Lacuadraboxeo. they were low blows tho

[@jeremyschildcrout2393]

@@joaoii1082 Yea - not as bad as the low blows Judah laid on Floyd the year before. Karma's a bitch.

[@tinnedtuna8242]

It must be one of the only times in his career that Zab survived a crisis.

[@hearwho8438]

Danny Garcia

[@sammystate21]

What a talent he was when he was a kid. Beautiful and vicious at the same time. Props to Mickey, fought extremely well.

[@bflo1000]

Respect to anybody who goes 12 rounds vs Ward, especially at 20 yrs old. Great experience.

[@dannygitmo]

Outstanding bout...zab w great combinations and hi level of fitness. Good Mickey ward ....always comes to fight.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Zab did give Floyd fits and did cause a glove touch that the ref missed.

[@deescott7418]

Of balance that's why it wasnt a knockdown

[@joseguerrido1511]

@@deescott7418🙄 dude!!.. c'mon that was a knockdown

[@deescott7418]

@@joseguerrido1511 sure.....lol

[@alexvalencia9907]

Yeah it was a knockdown, Judah made clean contact on Floyd but it is what it is.

[@deescott7418]

@@alexvalencia9907 😂😂😂

[@ariennikkiedwards7987]

thanks for this upload. I forgot how fast Zab used to be

[@LIONKING-pl5yr]

Damn Zab fast as hell...sweet punches!

[@2.T00T]

Looking for that liver shot Zab mentioned on VladTv

[@elcappcollins8851]

😂😂😂 me to

[@IKEBULLTV]

Me to

[@phillipwilson6901]

What round did it occur in ?

[@leobrown6193]

It was in the 8th he was hurt. Zab went circling after til the bell rang...

[@user-sp4sp2qd6p]

Me too 😎

[@erickennedy4480]

When ESPN was ESPN , and the ESPN 2. Old times of the cable era.

[@thomasdilworth1607]

Mickey Wards greatest attribute was that he was a genuinely tough, tough man, the amount of punishment he could soak up was painful to watch, but that left hook to the body was something else!

[@arturoangelsanchez]

That ward guy did put up good fights

[@AreLL]

Because he was a punching bag lmao

[@dalehusbanduk]

Put some respect on his name mans a legend

[@vilaps9779]

Watch "The Fighter"

[@arturoangelsanchez]

@@vilaps9779 is that a movie

[@vilaps9779]

@@arturoangelsanchez yes. It's about Micky Ward and his brother, Dick Eklund

[@shawnjohnson318]

DJ Vlad and KZbin algorithms lol

[@weathersbythesavagereacts2853]

Comments like this make me feel so connected

[@AllenRemo]

How the hell was this harder than fighting Mayweather? He punched on that man all 12 rounds. Mickey was one tough s.o.b. you hear me lol! Respect to both fighters.

[@stavros693000]

you could tell judah almost went down after that vicious body shot. i surprised he stayed on his feet.....judah said in vlad interview that ward broke his ribs and told his dad to stop the fight in between rds......mayweather just gave him a boxing lesson, he didnt brutalise him like ward did......

[@Billyshatner88]

@@stavros693000 but that Kosta tszyu fight was a beat down he was getting knocked down all over the ring

[@stavros693000]

@@Billyshatner88 yeah, that ko was pretty funny "chicken dance"......but zab tried to get up to fast...it was more of a one and done fight, it wasnt a grueling distance fight like vs ward.

[@nubatama0789]

i get it. zab didnt want to be locked in the phonebooth with an impossible to discourage pressure fighter- thats willing to trade- and with a body attack- nobody likes it in the body..

[@franksea39]

cuz of one hard shot, but cotto gave judah a better beating than floyd

[@grahamjonathan762]

That left hand to the kidney was mostly missed by people it was that quick and devastating. Ward was made of concrete. Judah likewise was an exceptional boxer. Respect to both men.

[@johnnyrotten1395]

ward is a tough irishman

[@testuser8977]

KZbin suggested this. I'm glad it did. These guys are warriors. Respect to both fighters.

[@RaneBane]

Zab had some of the sharpest tools in the game

[@christopherbrittain6351]

We will forget a lot of things about Zab, but we will never forget his infamous chicken walk

[@CandySlim501]

This was Super Judah

[@seanmulligan3916]

Great vid. Two great fighters from recent history. One pure ability and skill, one pure heart and fitness. Perfect example of the old boxing cliché styles make fights!

[@Sufisticated4U]

Ward a real tough cookie.. I saw his brawls with Gatti.. really entertaining and a treat to watch

[@sjsouljah7368]

Ward coming forward slow & 1-dimensional like dum-dum "traditional Mexican fighter" & getting Socked up

[@jayceez4693]

The pride of lowell lol Zab judah vlad interview broight me here

[@H.K.5]

Zab Judah was so skilled and fast. I don't understand how he has losses to guys like Joshua Clottey and Carlos Baldomir.

[@mma1015]

Hamza Khaliq he most definitely had the skill his mind and heart probably wasn’t there

[@deadarmd]

Well he fought ward who had a dead arm and had to switch stances and Judah was so much faster but even here you see what type of problem a guy who is tough, but wont just roll over, that's a problem for young Judah. However, he pulled this one thru

[@selfmademanification]

He wasn’t as focused then.Too much partying amongst other things I’m sure

[@sjsouljah7368]

This Zab Judah was Electric

[@carlospezzotti6239]

Judah had a glass jaw

[@alexroyster182]

I remember watching this fight live. What a great fight. I remember Judahs trainer saying use your other ribs! 😆

[@rickshannep4033]

Great fight, thank you!! Both tough.

[@kobetron3738]

2:43 the punch he was talking bout on vlad tv

[@randalljames3074]

Yep lol thanks

[@princemush8277]

Kobe Tron Man the sound of that punch is crazy 😧😧😧totally made him fold but Judah continued well.

[@vector8310]

Thanks guy. That was a hell of a punch

[@donte12b]

Kobe Tron he said it was in the 7th or 8th round

[@DWilliam1]

Always enjoyed watching Zab fight.

[@MrWellz-ex4px]

Zab was right got him with that nice body shot...Zab took that though nice fight

[@CZECHMATE650]

I remember an interview where Zab said "people ask me all the time who was the toughest fighter you faced?" He said "NO NOT FLYOD! MIKEY WARD BY FAR!"

[@bobshenix]

Fighting Floyd had to have been more frustrating, but not necessarily tougher.

[@brettgraham7173]

Zab outpunched, but you can't beat the heart of the true Irish

[@RIPkeekee]

He was beating da shit out of the Irish guy...

[@marquismills8313]

Zab accuracy was crazy

[@tommyodell2915]

What a gem. Nice fight

[@redbird4481]

Entertaining boxer vs brawler matchup :-)

[@dakotahayden6937]

A great quote about this fight: "It's the closest lopsided fight I think you will find." - Bob Papa. Can't say it any better than that.

[@inNYCC]

What a great fight

[@TheReedable]

Zab said he almost went down in round 8 from Mickys money punch... He went to his corner and told his dad that his ribs may be broken... His dad told him to suck i t up (well tougher language than that). Hats off to both. Phenominal fight. Great boxers the both of them. You can see Zab almost go down too. He said the pain was excrutiating

[@kuwaitisnotadeployment1373]

This fight really does a great time showing what kind of fighters judah and ward were and there skill level

[@ChimaChindaDev]

Judah’s offense was incredible.

[@iliasmetalworks]

Great Fight!

[@user-wm4nc9oz1f]

В боксе самое главное это уметь защашятся, а потом уже атаковать. Пример тому Джуда

[@AndreBoyd1981]

Zab was working that body like Fight Night

[@savionoronha015]

ward=warrior

[@carlitosur7949]

=CAB DRIVER

[@MrMferg240]

bet he would kick your ass.

[@rogerwilliams4742]

Funny, that people think a guy is a warrior when he eats shots. But take a guy who boxes with intelligence and footwork and use the ridiculous word "runner". That being said I have always liked Mickey. He was limited but he was conditioned and he gave his all.

[@menaretheprize2673]

Jacsom 01 facts

[@sjsouljah7368]

He was white & didn't get knocked out here against a superior Blk opponent = Warrior.

[@ShoneDaddy]

This fight was basically down the street from my house, held at the Micosukee Casino. Back when it still had some prestige.

[@junuzkolenovic5849]

Great boxing match !! Both men are legends and true warriors !!

[@aronlane4664]

All the people that say Zab was a frontrunner or 4 round fighter should watch this fight , his career could've been so much better, towards the end he was a shell of his former self but when switched on when he was young he was brilliant

[@c.galindo9639]

Nice video. It really was a good fight with each exchange

[@user-kd8qw9yw4y]

Заб мощь! 12 раундов и такие плотные удары! Супер!

[@stevenrozakis5269]

Damn , these two put it on

[@StormCentre88]

Some beautiful moves/punches here from Jadah. This was before Tszyu got to him and changed his confidence forever.

[@rockeeeverett1081]

Judah was only 20 .. fighting a rough n rugged ward at that age !!! Props to zab .. took that body shot that almost folded him over .. !! Zab was definitely game !!

[@schrisdellopoulos9244]

I remember this one well. Me and some fellas watched fights at the time at my crib. I'd pay the PPV fee & invite pals over. We all were cheering Mickey on, but we also knew he was the underdog. I didn't bet much, maybe $100. Zudah was just too fast, but he never had the heart that Ward did.

[@dawudyelton1392]

how many new ppl from vlad tv's interview?

[@tnsaturday]

That's not a fight, that's a boxing lesson.

[@coachgregtv1198]

This fight is why Micky Ward is one my favorite Boxers all time. I don't give a shit, win or lose. This is one the the greatest boxing performances I've ever seen. He never really got hurt.

[@charezjones3099]

To all those questioning why Zab said this was his toughest fight and not Mayweather is look at the shots he was hitting Ward with and the dude just bounced back like the Terminator. That shit is frustrating as hell.

[@jaybirdjaybird9410]

Zab was so physically talented. If he had Mickey’s resolve and toughness = 🐐

[@mangincmaki92]

Zab had such natural talent, he was so promising. He could've been great, but it all died down somewhere along the line. Dude's speed was out of this world

[@Eye2Eye24]

I was a zab judah fan before I was a floyd fan. He was my guy. Glad they fought each other.

[@jcentertainment1503]

God Speed

[@chrislonge3343]

2.50 with that body head that hurt Judah lol damn that nearly made him drop 😂😂

[@torquemontwheeler2375]

Same here. And that was just the highlights. Gonna find full fight.

[@bleedingstar1011]

That old ESPN 2 logo is... fire

[@JC_wonderland]

I remember recording this fight on TV and watched it like a film and studied it

[@Romio_1983]

Уорд, -Кремень!!! Мужик, настоящий ирландец!!! Браво!!!

[@lamonthughes3605]

He'll of a fight between 2 great boxers and up there with all of the other great matchups that were battles between 2 skilled fighters fighting each other

[@wiggles1550]

Not sure why this fight was “underrated”. At least according to the highlights, it was 6 minutes of Zab Dominating and a good 30 second stretch by Ward.

[@deadarmd]

Didn't Micky have a broken hand and paved construction thirty hours a week? How did the guy ever get his road work in

[@brianjohnson2905]

The fighter. Love that movie

[@NemeanLion-]

Ward had one of the craziest liver shots ever.

[@COZY_RELL]

Vlad bought me here..

[@bojack8909]

qxeens me too 😂

[@stevep764]

How can fighters take body shots like these, unbelievable toughness.

[@Liverpool-ri8gt]

word fither💪

[@timekeeperg9651]

I loved watching Mickey Ward fights...he had great power...after watching the movie they made with Mark Wahlburg and Christian Bale....the msg i got is his family used him as an income...well mostly his bro and mother...wish he had taken the full time training deal in vegas...All in all Mickey was awesome!!!

[@gargdye1924]

Judah looked so promising, but ultimately he never amounted to much at all. After Tzsyu starched him, he beat a couple decent fighters, but he never really beat anyone of consequence. Just goes to show, talent without the head and heart to match is mediocre at best.

[@rodneyman711]

I guess being undisputed is mediocre

[@rogerwilliams4742]

Umm...He was champion. Wtf are you talking about? And so what Tzsyu caught him? It's boxing! Tzsyu got slumped as well. It means nothing.

[@vincentestone5764]

The Fuck are you talking about? ZAB JUDAH became THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION OF THE WORLD at 21 years old. Started fight at 6. He had NO business fight in his 30s.

[@shangtsung1362]

What are you talking about! He was a champion like Buster Douglas. Like Andy Ruiz! Elite for sure! No but srsly I'd rate Zab as an A minus fighter.

[@vincentestone5764]

BULLSHIT ! ZAB JUDAH was THE YOUNGEST EVER CHAMP in that Division. He started Boxing at an EARLY age. Just like PRINCE NASEEM retiring at 28, ZAB should have at 28 or sooner.

[@seaverrene6486]

Zab looked amazing in that fight

[@77eljeffe]

Good fight

[@KL-mk1yn]

Here after Vlad as well. Judah was crazy nice in his early days!

[@barriem5318]

Ward was a punching bag in this fight.

[@03bubbachuck]

After watching that Vlad video with Judah, I think Zane should write a book. I think he had some interesting stories

[@travisd7888]

Judah such an amazing and magnificent boxer/fighter! Don’t know what happened to him, but besides Castillo, he really put Floyd to the test!

[@Xiaolongbaokid16]

Zab admitted on an interview that Micky Ward was the toughest fight he had, not Mayweather.

[@corporaljericho]

Boxing legends won't admit any of the fights they lost were hard

[@Unknown_User768]

Unfortunately for Ward, Judah was just on another level, 20 years old, on peak of his condition. Ward is known for his tremendous stamina. But that poor workhorse wasn't able to make any tangible opposition in this bout.

[@markdiego6024]

That's when zab had the super jab🥊

[@mmatalkwybf6510]

I forgot all about this fight honestly

[@Jc-si6pj]

Saw the vlad interview but this was on my feed

[@justinstoudemire4438]

I remember this fight.. Zab really had too much for him, but like most of Mickey's fights.. Too underrated.. He was in all the way..