Sunday, April 11, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Spinks survives late flurry, retains titles

Champion wins by decision after Judah pounds him in 12th

By ROYCE FEOUR
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Cory Spinks, right, lands a right hand against Zab Judah in the sixth round Saturday night at Mandalay Bay. Spinks retained his unified welterweight title by unanimous decision. Photo by John Locher. Cory Spinks rejoices after defeating Zab Judah to retain his undisputed welterweight title Saturday. Photo by John Locher.

Cory Spinks built a big lead, then withstood a final-round knockdown by Zab Judah to successfully defend his undisputed welterweight championship Saturday night at Mandalay Bay.

Spinks had dominated most of the first 11 rounds and seemed poised to cruise to a one-sided decision in his first defense of unified IBF, WBC and WBA 147-pound belts.

But Judah dropped Spinks with a left hand with about 25 seconds to go in the 12th round. Spinks was hurt, and took a mandatory eight-count. Judah hurt him again and Spinks was in real trouble, but managed to last the rest of the round.

Spinks, who became undisputed champion Dec. 13 with a decision over Ricardo Mayorga in Atlantic City, was far enough ahead to win unanimously despite Judah's 10-8 final round.

Judge Doug Tucker of Gardnerville had it 116-111, while Chuck Giampa and Dave Moretti of Las Vegas scored it 114-112, all for Spinks, the son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks.

"I got a little relaxed and careless," said Cory Spinks, from St. Louis. "(Judah) hit me with a good shot."

Judah, a former IBF junior welterweight champion, was fighting for the first time as a full welterweight.

Spinks, who earned $800,000, had scored a knockdown in the 11th round. He put Judah down with a short left that, at the time, seemed to put an exclamation point on a fine performance.

"I told you I could get mean in there," Spinks said. "I boxed beautifully tonight. I give him credit. He is a great fighter. I was just a little better tonight."

Judah closed as an 8 1/2-5 favorite, but it was Spinks who controlled the fight, at least until the 12th round.

Judah, who won three straight fights after being stopped in the second round by Kostya Tszyu in 2001 at the MGM Grand, simply didn't do enough until it was too late.

"I felt I could have done more, especially in the early rounds, but I still thought I did enough," Judah said. "He did not surprise me at all."

Spinks displayed a good right jab and boxed well throughout, while Judah laid back.

Judah said Spinks' knockdown didn't hurt him.

"It was a `B.S.' knockdown," he said.

At the same time, Judah showed maturity in defeat.

"I have no complaints. I felt I fought OK. I hope we can do it again," he said. "I probably should not have stopped after I knocked him down in the 12th. I let him off."

The win improved Spinks to 33-2, while Judah fell to 30-2.

Spinks, 26, said he hopes he gets more respect after his victory.

"I beat a super fighter tonight," Spinks said. "If I don't get credit tonight, I don't know what I have to do."