How Many More Chances Does Judah Get?

When he's on top of his game, you'll find Zab Judah (36-6, 25 KOs) using his lightning-fast hands to dismantle world-class opponents on HBO or Showtime cards. But when he's slumping, you'll find Judah exactly where he'll be on Saturday night when he faces the untested Ernest Johnson (18-2-1, 7 KOs): on the undercard of a pay-per-view bout he has the talent to be headlining.

Judah, 31, is no stranger to being the opening act. Four-and-a-half years ago, he narrowly defeated 38-year-old journeyman Rafael Pineda on the undercard of the first rematch between Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver. Five months later, he obliterated Wayne Martell in a first-round knockout under the Felix Trinidad-Ricardo Mayorga slugfest. And in May of 2005, he blitzed Mexican Cosme Rivera via third round TKO below the Trinidad-Winky Wright duel.

HBO bigwigs are always happy to give Judah a prominent stage for his first comeback fights because "Super" looks good – damn good – thrashing lesser opposition.

But over the better half of the past ten years, "looking good" has been precisely Judah's problem. He's spent far too much time tuning up on lesser opponents. These skill-sharpening fights are a result of Judah's countless blown opportunities.

Judah was one of the sport's hottest prospects in 2001 when he was caught by a lethal Kostya Tsyzu right hand that sent him wobbling around like a drunken college frat student after a Saturday night party en route to a second round knockout loss. But prospects – especially those as talented as Judah – are entitled to at least one defeat, no matter how devastating.

So Judah got back on his horse and won three straight fights against solid opposition. But when he moved up from 140 pounds to challenge 147-pound titlist Cory Spinks, he again blew a big chance, this time not throwing enough punches en route to a unanimous decision loss.

Judah again rebounded with wins against decent opponents, Pineda and Martell, before exacting revenge on Spinks in the pair's rematch, which made Judah the undisputed welterweight world champion..

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