Zab Judah returns to ring Friday after nearly a year off

By Brett Okamoto (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 | midnight

Former welterweight world champion Zab Judah (37-6, 25 KO) will return to the ring for the first time in nearly a year Saturday when he faces Ubaldo Hernandez (22-19-2, 10 KO) at The Pearl at The Palms.

Although Judah hasn’t fought since taking a unanimous decision win over Ernest Johnson at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8, 2008, he’ll be even less rusty than Hernandez, who hasn’t fought a professional fight in over two years.

“I’m thankful to be back in this position, to go ahead and display my talent,” said Judah on Wednesday. “I’m right this time. Everyone has been asking me, ‘Do us a favor. Get in shape and let your skills do the rest.’ I did it and come Friday we’ll get to see something amazing.”

Judah had been originally scheduled to face Matthew Hatton, the younger brother of Ricky Hatton, on the undercard of the Sept. 19 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez.

That fight dissolved when Hatton claimed Judah kept pushing for a catchweight. Judah was given the option to stay on the card and fight Antonio Diaz, but said he wasn’t interested in the matchup.

Former WBC lightweight champion Joel Casamayor (36-4-1, 22 KO) is moving up to the super lightweight division to take on Jason Davis (11-4-1, 3 KO) in the night’s double feature.

“I’ve got nothing to lose, everyone is expecting me to lose anyway,” Davis said. “So I got in shape. And Casamayor, get ready for a war on Friday.”

Also on the card is Las Vegas fighter Salvador Sanchez (16-3-2, 8 KO), nephew of former featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez as well as undefeated Henderson resident Sharif Bogere (12-0, 7 KO). Dayel Sitiwatjana (0-0), son of Muay Thai instructor Master Toddy, is also scheduled to make his professional debut.

The event is promoted by retired boxer Fernando Vargas and is available on pay-per-view. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.