Re-energized Zab Judah finally set to return to ring

The past two years have been a series of false starts for Zab Judah that have left him frustrated in his attempt to resurrect his boxing career.

Several fights have fallen through, and Judah, who last fought in December 2013, wasn't getting those years back.

Now 38, Judah (42-9, 29 knockouts) again will attempt to jump-start his career when he returns to the ring March 12 against Josh Torres in the 10-round main event at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The fight will be at a catchweight of 143 pounds.

The card, which will be televised on the CBS Sports Network, will be the first of eight at the DLVEC in what is being branded as "Knockout Night at the D."

"I know I can still fight," Judah said Tuesday at the Fremont Street Experience. "I know I'm not done. That's why these last two years were so frustrating. But I'm putting the past behind me and moving forward."

After losing to Paulie Malignaggi at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, in 2013, the Brooklyn-born Judah aligned himself with East Coast promoter Greg Cohen in an attempt to stay busy. For various reasons, Judah never made it into the ring.

He had a fight scheduled in September with Hevinson Herrera. But the two got into a scuffle at the weigh-in the day before the fight, Herrera was injured, and there wasn't enough time to find a suitable replacement.

In November, Judah was set to fight Juan Carlos Salgado at the DLVEC. But Salgado pulled out of the fight with an ankle injury, and there wasn't enough time to find an opponent who would be approved by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Earlier this month, Judah was supposed to fight Virgil Green in Iowa, but it also fell through.

Finally, a frustrated Judah demanded to be let out of his agreement with Cohen. They parted ways about a week ago, and Judah will headline the March 12 card promoted by longtime Southern California fight promoter Roy Englebrecht.

"What kept me going was I was in the gym working, and I never lost faith in myself," Judah said. "I'm in great shape. My hand speed is still there. I feel great physically.

"I don't hold any grudges. Things didn't work out, and we're moving on."

Judah said what really convinced him to keep going was the time he spent helping Floyd Mayweather Jr. prepare for his win over Manny Pacquiao in May. Judah, an old rival, was in Mayweather's camp as a sparring partner, and the way he handled himself was all the evidence he needed to continue his career.

"Helping Floyd get ready for Pacquiao, it showed me I still had my skills," Judah said. "It's very demanding when you work with Floyd. He expects a lot out of you. So for me to deliver the way I did and help him showed me I still had something left."

Englebrecht said the fact Judah hasn't fought in two years might work to his advantage.

"He hasn't been in any wars," Englebrecht said. "He sparred with Floyd, but sparring is different than being in a ring in an actual fight.

"I think Zab has something to prove to everyone, and he's re-energized. I expect a big effort out of him against a young, hungry fighter in Josh Torres."

Judah, who has been training in Las Vegas, said he will be hungrier when he steps into the ring against Torres (14-4-2, s KOs), who is from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"I'm like a lion who hasn't eaten in eight months, and I'm going to want to devour this guy," Judah said. "I feel like I'm 25."

The card also will feature a fight between undefeated Las Vegas lightweight Jesus "Chuy" Gutierrez and Leon Spinks III. The first bell is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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