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Former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah has heaped praise on WBC and IBF 147-pound champion Errol ‘The Truth’ Spence Jr, saying he is happy to pass the torch to the 31-year-old Texan ahead of his clash with WBA boss Yordenis Ugas this Saturday night.
Judah claimed the WBC, WBA and IBF titles against Cory Spinks by ninth-round knockout in February 2005 following Spinks’ points win over him 10 months earlier. The fight took place when the WBO championship was considered a secondary title.
“I have a lot of respect for Errol,” the now 44-year-old Judah said. “Number one, for him being the human being he is. He’s a solid, solid fighter I’ve been watching since the amateurs.
“Errol was a guy who always stood out there. When he turned to the pros and began making a name for himself, I started watching him. He’s about to do something big and become the next undisputed welterweight champion of the world. I feel great passing on the torch, no joke.
“I feel I don’t have to give Errol any advice. He just needs to do what he has to do to win this fight – work behind his good jab and let his combinations go. Like I said, to pass the torch is dope. Errol Spence is the guy for the job.
“I like watching [Errol] in the Shawn Porter fight, and the Danny Garcia fight. Errol showed a lot of heart and pulled through. He looked to be confused at times and he pulled through it. Shawn Porter came in with a bunch of ugly looks, but he figured it out.
“Even in the Danny Garcia fight he got caught with a good left hook, but he went back to his jab and started boxing. That’s a great thing about being great left-hander. You can start back with the jab and it’s all back together again.
“I would say Errol Spence is a throwback fighter. I would say he has throwback qualities. He’s still a young man and of this era, but he has throwback qualities.”
“It’s motivating to hear from Zab,” the 31-year-old Spence 27-0 (21) said. When you grew up watching a person, and now it’s your turn, and they give you high praise, it’s incredibly encouraging. I appreciate Zab’s support. Many older fighters don’t show their support to the younger generation. I give much respect to Zab. His support means a lot.
“I remember when I was younger, watching Zab winning all the belts. That’s something I wanted to do. I never dreamed in a million years that I’d be doing that. It’s a dream come true.
“I just have to stay focused because every fight is the most important. This is the third time I’m taking someone’s belt. The welterweight division has had many great fighters and champions, so doing it at this weight class is a significant accomplishment.”
The 35-year-old Miami-based Cuban Ugas 27-4 (12) won the WBA trinket from Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao 62-8-2 (39) last August by unanimous decision. In Spence he will be facing another southpaw, but the unified champion doesn’t expect any problems.
“I don’t see any trickiness in Ugas,” Spence said. “I think people put too much emphasis on that. Most Cuban fighters move a lot and get on their toes, but Ugas is not even that. He’s a guy who tries to fight and he wants to fight and trade shots.
“I don’t stand in front of opponents. I boxed Mikey Garcia and I banged with Kell Brook and Shawn Porter. I boxed in the paint with Lamont Peterson, slipping and countering.
“I’m adding to my legacy. Every fight that led up to this is just as crucial as this fight because they got me to this point. If I didn’t beat those guys, I fought when I was 9-0, 10-0, and then I wouldn’t have gotten the Kell Brook fight. If I didn’t beat Brook, I wouldn’t have gotten the Shawn Porter fight, Danny Garcia, etc. So, every fight means a lot to me because it leads me to better fights and more accomplishments.”
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