Revitalized Judah rides ‘second wind’

Zab Judah had finished his workout at Hit Factory Gym in Las Vegas and his skin glistened as he took a satisfying swig of water. His muscles rippled, and he wore a big smile.

Judah had reason to look satisfied. Most 33-year-olds don't come close to looking this good.

Then again, most 33-year-olds haven't been through the ring wars Judah has in his 15-year professional boxing career. He's been to the summit, fallen off and picked himself up.

When most in boxing had written him off, Judah came back in March to win the same title he'd first captured in 1999, stopping Kaizer Mabuza in the seventh round to win the IBF junior welterweight title.

Judah risks that belt Saturday against WBA champ Amir Khan at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Khan is nine years his junior and touted by his promoter as boxing's next superstar.

"Never let man count you out," Judah said. "I've gotten my second wind. I'm blessed to be in this position. I've been where Amir Khan has been many times, while this is still somewhat new to him. That's where I have a big advantage."

Judah (41-6, 28 knockouts) thought he could move up from 140 pounds while in his prime and add to the success he had attained in winning the IBF and WBO junior welterweight belts.

He got a rude awakening.

In his first try as a welterweight in April 2004, Judah lost to Cory Spinks. He avenged that loss 10 months later.

In 2006, Judah lost back to back to WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir and Floyd Mayweather Jr., then the IBF and IBO champ. The loss to Mayweather was punctuated by a near-riot in the 10th round after Judah hit Mayweather with a low blow and cornermen from both sides ran into the ring.

Judah's license was revoked for a year and he was fined $350,000, the second time the Nevada Athletic Commission had fined and suspended him.

The first incident came in 2001 when Judah was stopped by Kostya Tszyu in the second round for his first pro loss. After the fight, Judah made threatening gestures at referee Jay Nady and was suspended six months and fined $75,000.

Judah returned to the ring in 2007 and, in his second fight back, faced WBA champ Miguel Cotto. He was beaten in the 11th round and again denied his goal of being a welterweight champion.

With his career in a nosedive, Judah had some hard decisions to make.

His first was to move from Brooklyn, N.Y., to Las Vegas late in 2007. He strengthened his Christian faith. He went back to fighting at 140 pounds. Finally, he made his toughest call -- informing his father, Yoel, his lifelong trainer who had taught him how to fight, that he planned to hire Hall of Famer Pernell Whitaker to train him for the fight against Mabuza on March 5.

"People ask, 'How can you serve God in Sin City?' " Judah said. "I found a home here. We have a great lifestyle here. People in Las Vegas have been wonderful to me and my family. Brooklyn is in my heart. It's where I grew up. It will always be a part of me. But I live in Las Vegas now, and I'm proud to be here and I want to represent Las Vegas the right way.

"I love my father. He's given me everything. But I felt at this point of my career I needed a different voice. My father will still be with me in my corner Saturday. He'll always be involved with what I do."

Judah said the most satisfying aspect of his journey back to the top is he's still growing as a fighter and a person.

"I'm still learning," he said. "I may have a lot of experience, but that doesn't mean I'm too old not to learn. That's why having Pernell Whitaker in my corner has been so important. He's been able to sharpen me up and make me a better fighter."

Six weeks ago, as Judah was preparing for Khan (25-1, 17 KOs), he again went outside his tight circle by enlisting Victor Conte, founder of the notorious Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), to assist him during training. The decision to bring aboard Conte stemmed from his work with bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, who stopped Fernando Montiel impressively in the second round of their February title fight, and passed pre- and post-fight drug tests.

Between the workouts and the supplements Judah has taken under Conte's supervision, his body has gotten harder and stronger. Judah said he wasn't afraid to associate with Conte, who comes with a reputation for providing athletes with performance-enhancing drugs.

"I learned you just don't judge a man by what you read or hear about him, but once you know him," Judah said. "I know he's had his issues in the past. But so have I. None of us are perfect. But Victor's been great. He's been a real help to me, and I appreciate having him work with me.

"People say I can't go more than five, six rounds. But I've never felt better. I'll be ready to fight 15 rounds, if necessary."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.