Zab Judah didn’t get the main event he wanted, but promoter Don King wisely used his charisma to launch a blockbuster of eight title bouts Saturday, Dec.13 at the sold out Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

When HBO Pay-Per-View unveils its five champion-ships (8 P.M. ET), it will be Judah defending his WBO junior welterweight crown against Jaime Rangel out of
Cordoba, Colombia.

Judah, Brooklyn, N.Y., with a 29-1, 21 KOs resume, is a stickout favorite that should arouse the early house. And that’s just what King wants in the 12-round follow up of the undefeated as Alex Garcia, Tijuana, Mx., (22-0, 21 KOs) defends his WBO super welterweight title against Travis Simms, Norwalk, CT., (22-0, 17 KOs).

Although it has been well documented here, the main
event finds Bernard Hopkins, Philadelphia, Pa.,(42-2-1, 31 KOs), making a record 17th title defense of his undisputed middleweight championship opposite WBA 160 pound king William Joppy, Silver Springs, Md., (34-2-1, 25 KOs.).

Judah, who wants his friends to call him “Super,” is making the first defense of the WBO 140-pound crown he won July 12 on a 12-round split decision over DeMarcus Corley at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on what turned out to be almost a one-handed victory.

“I had been off for a year and a day but I felt it was a
great fight. The big factor was I dropped Corley late in the third round with a left and broke my knuckle on the hand. It changed my fight plan. I had to jab the rest of the fight because of my left. I didn’t punch the way I normally do. I could just touch with it. I normally throw with a lot more power. Corley fought a good fight, but I’m pleased with the win.”

Nevada’s licensed bookmakers have Judah as a minus $9.00 favorite with Rangel at plus $6.00 while making his America debut after 12 years of fighting exclusively in Colombia, Argentina, and Panama.

Known as “El Martillo” in South America, Rangel arrived with 29-4-1, 25 KOs credentials. According to King’s Latino sources, the challenger has kayo power in either hand and has lost only once since 1993.

The 31-year-old Rangel won the FECARBOX light-weight crown May 2, 2001 when he won a 12-round decision over Jorge Noriega in Montelibano, Col. It was Rangel’s first fight to go the distance in six fights after knocking out 22 of 25 opponents reaching back to 1994.

Coming out of the Corley fight, Judah’s next stop was surgery to have those damaged ligaments in his left hand corrected. The medic’s first report indicated Judah wouldn’t fight again until next spring.

You have to give the controversial warrior credit when it came to his therapy, working in the gym and at home to revive his condition to fight again.

Judah, also a former IBF champion with six defenses when he had the title, sounds ready for a prime time performance.

“I am planning on stealing the show Saturday. I usually do not study videotapes but I have seen tapes on Rangel and i know he is a helluva fighter. Coming to America from another country, this guy will definitely give it his all to try to make the most of a lifelong opportunity. But that’s the way I want it. Let him bring it.”

Keep in mind whatever the egotistical WBO champion rambles about this fight, when he thinks of the future the only obsession is the super talented Kostya Tszyu, the undisputed 140-pound champion now a native Australian via Russia.

Tszyu scrambled Judah’s eggs Nov. 3, 2001 in Las Vegas to take his IBF crown on a spectacular second round knockout. Referee Jay Nady’s quick action definitely kept Judah’s good health in tact. The Brooklyn bruiser won’t be happy until somebody talks Tszyu into a rematch, but nothing is going to happen until the great champion fulfills a defense against former king Sharmba Mitchell Feb.7 in Moscow.

Whatever Judah has in mind about stealing the show, it will be immediately tested by Garcia and Simms, who follow him into the ring.
King and Bob Goodman, his chief lieutenant, sound like they are reporting from Cloud Nine in reviewing both of these potential super stars.

Garica, only his last three fights have been out of Mexico, is making the second defense of the WBA super welterweight crown he won Mar.3 when he
stopped defending Santiago Samaniego in the third round in Las Vegas.

Garcia modestly reflects on the night he won the 154-pound championship in spectacular fashion.

“As early as the first round, I knew I had Samaniego in trouble. I also knew that he was a very tough guy who has comeback from knockdowns before to win big. I knew he had a reputation of getting stronger as the fight went on. Now that I am champion of the world, I’m ready for all comers. I know that Oscar De La Hoya doesn’t even want to hear my name,” Garcia opined.

Although Garcia is thrilled being champion in his fourth year as a pro, he and trainer/ manager Roberto Sandoval won’t forget his16th fight with Chris Sande
two years ago in Tijuana. “This was just a four round fight but Sande was a more experienced veteran. Sande was very strong and very experienced. He was trying to impose his will on me and I was doing the same with him. The action was furious and I finally scored a fourth-round TKO. But it was a great experience.”

Garcia has great respect for Simms, who comes in as a rising east coast talent with exceptional hand and foot speed.

“I’m hoping for a great fight and a chance to show off my true ability. I hope Simms does not just run. But if he does, I will follow until I catch him. If he stands and punches, I will stop him. Definitely, I’m not taking Simms lightly. He’s a good fighter, but so am I. I know what I need to do. If I do my job, I will win.”

Simms, a chronic east coaster, is excited about fighting in what he calls “Atlantic City as my home away from home,”

Simms is managed by his wife,Sandra, and they are the parents of two children, Brittani and Myah Skye. Nimal Locke is the trainer and the entire clan has a positive attitude about this venture into New Jersey.

“I got to thank Don King for giving me this opportunity. I will not only win, I plan on looking very impressive. It’s one of the biggest shows in boxing history and any one who is anyone in the sport, will be there. I have to look impressive and serve notice on the super welterweight division,” said Simms.

“This is do or die for me because I have to make my legacy superior. I’m ready to be a world champion and I’m ready to shine. I’ve paid my dues and I’m in my prime, With all due respect to Garcia, I feel I’m far superior all the way round and will show that when I dethrone him.”

(Jack Welsh is a syndicated columnist and a regular contributor to Ringsports.com and other fine websites)