Mosley, Judah in each other’s way

Shane Mosley and Zab Judah, two fighters seeking redemption for different reasons, hope to achieve it at the other's expense when they finally meet in the ring May 31 at Mandalay Bay.

The fighters were in town Saturday to promote their 12-round welterweight bout, which headlines a Golden Boy Promotions card. Each hopes a victory will lead to a title shot.

Mosley, a four-time world champion spanning three weight classes, is trying to claw back to the top of the welterweight division after losing a 12-round unanimous decision to Miguel Cotto on Nov. 10.

Judah, meanwhile, wants to show he has grown up. He recently was reinstated by the Nevada Athletic Commission, the result of a yearlong suspension stemming from a melee in the ring during his 2006 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Judah was fined $250,000 for the incident.

Mosley said he views Judah as a necessary obstacle on his path to the top of the division.

"To be honest, I want the rematch with Cotto," Mosley said. "But Judah wants to fight me and try to make a name for himself. I see it as I'm trying to get to the top of the division and he's in my way, and I'm not letting anything block my path."

Judah said Mosley has been ducking him for a long time.

"I chased Sugar Shane Mosley for years and he wouldn't fight me," Judah said. "Now his back is to the wall and he has to meet me. I'm going to show him why he was right to have ducked me."

Mosley, 44-5 with 37 knockouts, said he thinks he can still compete at a championship level at age 36.

"I don't really feel old," he said. "Zab talks about how fast he is. But as the years go on, he's not as fast as he used to be. I'm not as fast as I used to be, either."

The 30-year-old Judah, who last fought in November when he defeated Ryan Davis, insists there's plenty of speed left in his hands.

"He'll find out in the very first round," said Judah, 36-5 with 25 knockouts. "We're 72 days away and I'm ready to go right now."

Tickets are priced from $100 to $600 and are on sale at the Mandalay Bay box office and through Ticketmaster. The fight also will be available on pay per view on HBO.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.