Zab Judah (34-2, 25 KOs) was once hailed by experts such as Max Kellerman as the second coming of Pernell Whitaker. Some might disagree that Kellerman is even intelligent, and that Zab still could fill his potential.

Zab's platinum grill mouth was always as loud as Muhammad Ali's but it is the other intangibles that make a fighter great.

Zab Judah showed a lack of chin, if not a lack of defense, when he inexplicably left his guard down against fierce puncher Kostya Tszyu. Judah did a break dance worthy of credit in a Doug E. Fresh video, but the humor was short lived when he threw a chair and tried to choke ref Jay Nady. Zab was also brought to tears and still doesn't seem to understand that he was beat cleanly.

Zab won the undisputed title from soft-punching Cory Spinks in February and has since fought only an overmatched Cosme Rivera. Zab Judah is scheduled to fight in an undercard fight against Carlos Baldomir (41-9, 12 KOs). Although an unknown commodity with a shoddy record, Baldomir has not been defeated since 1998.

Zab Judah obviously has bigger fish to fry since he has been involved in a war of words with No. 1 pound-for-pound Floyd Mayweather Jr. that seems to have evolved into a potential showdown. Both similarly talented young guns could make for one explosive battle, the kind that hasn't been seen since Morales and Barrera last battled.

Zab is a southpaw with quick feet and a lot of pop in his straight left. Mayweather is obviously as beautiful of a boxer the world has maybe ever seen. These two brash champions started out as friends, but each has an ego that doesn't allow for too many friends in the business. Zab has threatened childish gangster violence, whereas Floyd has belittled Zab's paydays and recent undercard status. Zab Judah won't win a war of words and at this point I think he should take the money and shut up.

Zab only made $100,000 to fight Spinks in St. Louis, so making $3 million or so should be plenty for him to sign the deal. If Zab keeps fighting the Baldomirs and the Riveras he will lose the respect of the media and fans.

Zab Judah has shown maturity but I don't think too much of his opposition, including Cory Spinks. The only time Zab has really looked unstoppable is when he is fighting an opponent with no chance of winning. Zab needs to prove himself worthy of all the hype. Obviously a match with Mayweather would give him a shot at cementing a spot in history, as would a fight against bully Antonio Margarito.

I don't think too many questions will be answered on Jan. 7 but it could push the most anticipated battle of 2006 into a reality.

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