Yoel Judah

Yoel Judah (born July 23, 1956) is the eldest member of the Brooklyn-based Judah boxing family. He has been a martial artist, three-time world champion kickboxer, and boxing trainer and manager.

Yoel Judah
BornJuly 23, 1956 (1956-07-23) (age 64)
Known forthree-time world champion kickboxer; boxing trainer and manager
ChildrenZab Judah, Daniel Judah, and Josiah Judah

Boxing and kickboxing career

Johnny Saxton, who twice won the world welterweight championship, was Judah's uncle.[1] Judah had a brief boxing career in the 1980s, going 1–1 in two fights. He is also a 9th-degree black belt and former three-time world kickboxing champion,[2][3] trained at one point by Billy Slinker.[4][5][6][7]

Training and managing career

He has been the trainer and manager of his sons Zab Judah, Daniel Judah, and Josiah Judah.[8][9] He has also trained heavyweight Shannon Briggs.[10]

Melee, license revocation, fine, and aftermath

He received national attention for his involvement in the melee in round 10 of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Zab Judah fight on April 8, 2006. After Zab hit Mayweather below the belt and with a rabbit punch, Roger Mayweather (Mayweather Jr.'s trainer) stormed the ring and went after Zab. Referee Richard Steele had Roger restrained until Yoel entered the ring and threw a right hand at Roger—an act that caused the ring to fill with Mayweather's camp members, security officers, and Las Vegas police.[11] On May 8, 2006, the Nevada State Athletic Commission fined Yoel $100,000 and revoked his training license for one year.[12]

When Zab Judah was involved in a later controversy, this time the recipient of what his angry cornerman Tommy Smalls believed were flagrant low blows by WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in their June 9, 2007, fight before a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden, the father this time played a calming role, telling Smalls "What's done is done."[13]

Religion

The Judahs are Black Hebrews,[14] and often attend Jewish Sabbath services.[15] Judah is an avowed Hebrew Israelite,[16] and Judah's family has declared themselves Jewish.[17][18]

See also

References
  1. "Crow, Kelly, "The Way We Live Now: 8–13–00: ShopTalk; Put Me In, Dad"". The New York Times. August 13, 2000. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  2. "Karate hits the Limelight: Atlantan to fight for PKA title Wednesday", November 12, 1985, The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution, p. E/3, accessed January 16, 2010
  3. Farrell, Bill, "Barrett King of the Ring, The New York Daily News, January 25, 1995, accessed January 16, 2010
  4. Klase, Bill, "Rough, Tough, Yoshukai Karate; Traditional Karate's Link to Full-Contact Fighting", Black Belt, March 1988, Vol. 26, No. 3, ISSN 0277-3066, accessed January 16, 2010
  5. TV guide, Volume 32, Triangle Publications, 1984, accessed January 16, 2010 Archived June 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  6. The boxer's heart: how I fell in love with the ring'', Kate Sekules. Villard. 2000. ISBN 0-375-50395-1. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  7. "Farrell, Bill, "Boxing Champ Honored at Gym Where he Trains,"". The New York Daily News. March 21, 2000. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  8. The Boxing Scene, pp. 46–48, Thomas Hauser, Temple University Press, 2008, ISBN 1-59213-977-9, accessed January 16, 2010 Archived June 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  9. Farrell, Bill (January 3, 1996). "Farrell, Bill, "A Judah Climes National Peak"". The New York Daily News. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  10. The Boxing Scene, pp. 39–41, Thomas Hauser, Temple University Press, 2008, ISBN 1-59213-977-9, accessed January 16, 2010 Archived June 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  11. The Bulletin'', Issues 6300-06, p. 94, J. Haynes and J.F. Archibald. 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  12. Rafael, Dan. "Judah and father fined, both lose license for year." Archived January 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine ESPN, May 8, 2006. URL accessed May 8, 2006.
  13. The Boxing Scene'', pp. 46–48, Thomas Hauser. Temple University Press. 2008. ISBN 1-59213-977-9. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  14. Fonda, Daren, "Zab (Super) Judah," Time, December 4, 2000, accessed January 16, 2010 Archived August 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  15. Gershenon, Adam, "If He Can Take a Punch, Judah Could Have It All," The New York Times, December 28, 1996, accessed January 16, 2010 Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  16. "An Exclusive Interview with Yoel Judah... by Saratogamist". BraggingRightsCorner.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  17. Andrews, Dave, "He's Zab; He Jabs," Palm Beach Post, August 5, 2000, accessed January 16, 2010
  18. "Judah, Zab "Super"". Jewsinsports.org. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
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