Spinks-163; Judah+153. This is what I call a 5 point factors analysis resulting in a degree of prediction certainty. My criteria are Hunger, weight, experience, skill, and other.
Hunger: Both I feel are equally motivated here and exhibit the same degree of hunger to win. Spinks knows he must win to validate his last victory over Zab; Judah knows a loss here and he starts to fall off the radar. Edge-none.
Weight; Spinks is the natural welter and has successfully fought at this weight. Judah is moving up but at 27 years of age he is filling out and may be comfortable here. Edge-Spinks.
Experience: Both have been in big fights. Based on their respective histories, I give Judah the nod here. Edge-Judah.
Skill: Tough one. Cory I feel is deceptive. Not flashy but tough and determined. Kevin Cunningham may have a lot to do with this. Good boxing skills and decent movement.
Judah is faster I think and has more mustard on his shots. Has a nasty habit of backing straight back and keeping his hand(s) low. He gets cocky if he is ahead and gets lazy.
I think also he got skittish after he did the chicken dance from Tszyu's shot back when. I'd say their skills cancel out each other. Edge-none.
Other: Here we may find our most telling aspects to ponder. The venue is St. Louis. Spinks did not want to fight in MSG. Most boxers would fall all over themselves to fight in the Garden. Not sure if this is a good or bad omen for Spinks. Cunningham is a superb trainer and I feel a plus for Spinks over Joel Judah. Spinks did win the last fight, but ran out of gas and Judah was coming on. State of mind in this fight may determine the outcome. Spinks will most likely come in focused and all business. Judah will be on his game in the opening rounds but will he stay focused? In the maturity department, Judah leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps he thinks pure talent alone will carry him to victory. I'm not sure. Intangible factors favor Spinks here.
This fight is very close so we must consider the price. At +153, I'd say Judah is as live a dog as you will see. This is not a mismatch and he is not an opponent. My play is Judah for the price in an almost even matchup.
Hunger: Both I feel are equally motivated here and exhibit the same degree of hunger to win. Spinks knows he must win to validate his last victory over Zab; Judah knows a loss here and he starts to fall off the radar. Edge-none.
Weight; Spinks is the natural welter and has successfully fought at this weight. Judah is moving up but at 27 years of age he is filling out and may be comfortable here. Edge-Spinks.
Experience: Both have been in big fights. Based on their respective histories, I give Judah the nod here. Edge-Judah.
Skill: Tough one. Cory I feel is deceptive. Not flashy but tough and determined. Kevin Cunningham may have a lot to do with this. Good boxing skills and decent movement.
Judah is faster I think and has more mustard on his shots. Has a nasty habit of backing straight back and keeping his hand(s) low. He gets cocky if he is ahead and gets lazy.
I think also he got skittish after he did the chicken dance from Tszyu's shot back when. I'd say their skills cancel out each other. Edge-none.
Other: Here we may find our most telling aspects to ponder. The venue is St. Louis. Spinks did not want to fight in MSG. Most boxers would fall all over themselves to fight in the Garden. Not sure if this is a good or bad omen for Spinks. Cunningham is a superb trainer and I feel a plus for Spinks over Joel Judah. Spinks did win the last fight, but ran out of gas and Judah was coming on. State of mind in this fight may determine the outcome. Spinks will most likely come in focused and all business. Judah will be on his game in the opening rounds but will he stay focused? In the maturity department, Judah leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps he thinks pure talent alone will carry him to victory. I'm not sure. Intangible factors favor Spinks here.
This fight is very close so we must consider the price. At +153, I'd say Judah is as live a dog as you will see. This is not a mismatch and he is not an opponent. My play is Judah for the price in an almost even matchup.
