It wasn't really Zab Judah's lax defense, or the right hand from Kostya Tszyu, or the quick stoppage call from referee Jay Nady, that ended the Brooklyn-born southpaw's reign as IBF champ and one of boxing's undefeated young turks last November. It was Tszyu's maturity - or perhaps Judah's lack of it. It was the respect Tszyu had for his opponent - or perhaps Judah's lack of that quality that is so very necessary for a boxer to succeed at the highest level.

How much has Judah changed in the eight months that have transpired since he blew a chance to become the undisputed 140-pound champion of the world? Has Judah made the necessary adjustments in his game, as well as in his attitude? Fight fans will find out Saturday when he takes on solid contender Omar Weis at Sam's Town in Tunica, Mississippi in a 10-round bout that will be televised on Showtime (in the U.S.).

Last week, Judah, 27-1 (21), admitted to MaxBoxing's Associate Editor Thomas Gerbasi that he was indeed "cocky" going into his bout with Tszyu, and he vowed not to "look past" Weis this Saturday. He'd better not. Weis, 35-3-3 (16) is by no means a killer in the ring. The crafty Argentine veteran does not hit very hard, and he rarely presses the issue late in a fight when a bout is close. This somewhat lackadaisical attitude is what may have led to more than a few hard-luck decisions (or draws) that many observers believed should have gone Weis's way.

However, under the tutelage of legendary Argentine trainer Amilcar Brusa, Weis is beginning to break this bad habit (as seen in his bout against Camacho), and he is the kind of honest, hard-working professional that can beat an over-confident youngster on a given night. That's what happened in March when he chased another cocky, flashy southpaw around the ring en route to a 10-round decision win. That's what makes this fight so interesting.

But Judah is not Hector Camacho Jr. While "Junior" lost to Weis largely because he was grossly out of shape, no one can accuse Judah of ever failing to prepare himself for a fight, physically. The brash Brooklynite is a superb athlete who obviously respects his body. His problem last November was that he didn't respect the man he worked so hard for in the gym, in getting ready for the fight.

Judah's attitude in the weeks before the Tszyu fight was that of a man who had already won all three titles. He bought a charter bus with his likeness airbrushed on the sides, and brought with him to Las Vegas, an entire crew from Brooklyn to fill it. (Not that there's anything wrong with his cornermen, good friend and fellow fighter Monte Barrett and close family traveling in style with him, but he practically brought along his own cheering section — including one Mitch "Blood"Green. What!?)

Two weeks prior to the fight, the Judah group partied and gallivanted up and down the halls of the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in anticipation of their man's victory. Judah even took time out to chill at a UFC event held the night before his fight. As he told Gerbasi, he felt the fight was already over — and it was, for him.

Well, it was over for him on that night. At age 25 and gloriously gifted physically (and mentally — the kid is smart), it's not too late for Judah to turn things around. Beating Weis, who is not nearly as strong or fast as Judah, but equally smart and very comfortable in the ring, will be the first step in regaining the promise he once had.

Only a few years have past since Judah was touted as a "Pernell Whitaker with power", and the performances he put on as a young pro ensured that the people who said that were not ridiculed. In only his sixth pro bout, Judah shut-out tough journeyman Troy Crain, then 14-5 in May of '97. A few bouts later, that same Craig almost knocked out Camacho Jr. (who Judah defeated in the amateurs). Judah advanced quickly, out-boxing and out-maneuvering Micky Ward over 12 in June of '98 for the USBA title.

By '99, he was living up to the hype propagated by ESPN's Max Kellerman and MaxBoxing's own Steve Kim. Judah looked absolutely unstoppable crushing capable fighters like Wilfred Negron and David Sample.

But he exposed some chinks in his armor in 2000, when — as IBF titlist — Judah was dropped in fights against Jan Bagmen and Terronn Millett. To his credit, got up and stopped both men in four rounds, but the mental lapses and over confidence that led to knockdown did not disappear in subsequent fights. Judah seemed to daydream through fights with the hapless Junior Witter and the shot Hector Quiroz, both fights on the undercard of Mike Tyson showcases.

The Quiroz fight was curious. The slow-fisted former Mexican contender was hopelessly out-gunned, but Judah was not able to put him away and was even caught clean by straight right hands before cuts forced a stoppage in the eighth round. If Quiroz, known only for his left hook, could land a right hand, those in the know pondered, what would Tszyu do to young Judah?

The question was answered Nov. 11th of last year. More questions will be answered Saturday.