Recently during HBO's telecast of Mayweather-Bruseles, commentator Roy Jones observed that Floyd Mayweather is one of those rare, perfect fighters who posesses so much natural talent that the only way he could lose were to be if he beat himslef. Top junior welterweight Zab Judah would appear to have this much in common with the undefeated Mayweather except for one thing - he's beaten himself.

The unravelling of Judah started when he was knocked out in the second round by Kostya Tszyu in November 2001. The Brooklyn native, in his best Mike Tyson impersonation, threw a tantrum, hurling a ring stool at the referee for waving the fight off, an act that had him fined and suspended. Then he ran his foul mouth off, demanding a rematch, something that pound-for-pound king Tsyzu was, rightfully so, in no hurry to grant.

In April 2004, Judah moved north of junior welterweight to challenge champion Cory Spinks, in a fight that Zab let get away because of his inability to stay focused, a factor he contributes to boredom. While it is not uncommon for elite fighters such as Roy Jones or James Toney to admit to occaisonally getting bored in the ring, those fighters have accomplished much. The boxing world is still waiting for Judah to fulfill his vast potential.

During the Spinks fight, the two crafty southpaws battled to a virtual dead heat into the later rounds, and the light-hitting Spinks even scored a flash knockdown of Judah. In the final round, Judah rocked Spinks, knocking him down and hurting him, but it was too little, too late. Spinks survived the remaining seconds, and retained his title via decision.

As preparation for the rematch, Judah stayed busy with an uninspiring decision over an over-the-hill Rafael Pineda, and a ridiculous first round stoppage of overmatched Wayne Martell on the Trinidad-Mayorga undercard, last October.

The Martell massacre having proved nothing, Judah, 32-2 (23), will have to step up his aggression and stay focused if he wants to defeat Spinks Saturday night at the Savvis Center in St.Louis. As an added incentive, Oscar De La Hoya has made it official that he is going back down to 147, and may fight the winner of Spinks-Judah.

Most people are surprised that Spinks, 34-2 (11), has lasted this long atop the welterweight division, but his days could be numbered. He showed tremendous defensive skills and courage in taking the title from hard-hitting Ricardo Mayorga, and took more chances against Judah, considering Zab is the bigger puncher. But the super-quick Judah exposed Spink's chin, and had he not been saved by the bell, the title may have switched hands. Having said that, Judah doesn't exactly have an iron jaw either, and while Spinks hits light, he obviously hits hard enough to knock down Zab. It must also be taken into account that Spinks unofficially outweighed Judah by ten pounds on fight night.

So what to expect Sauturday night? Judah vows to knock out Cory by the fourth round, and while he certainly has the power and skills to do so, actions speak louder than words, especially in Judah's case. Still, look for the St.Louis native Spinks to try to impress his hometown crowd by being busy, and foolishly participate in one two many exchanges. Then Judah, the smarter fighter, will take full advantage of his power and speed and reverse the 'Jinx' in the later rounds, take the title, and woo the "Golden Boy" for a September matchup.

Will the real Zab Judah please stand up? We'll have to wait and see.

Prediction: Judah KO 10