Judah makes most of ‘13th round’

ST. LOUIS — Zab Judah claimed the undisputed welterweight title Saturday night, beating Cory Spinks in his hometown with a ninth-round technical knockout.

Judah lost a unanimous decision to Spinks in April in Las Vegas. He knocked Spinks down in the 12th round of that fight and referred to the rematch as the 13th round, saying he simply ran out of time.

Judah was the aggressor throughout this fight, neutralizing the crowd of more than 20,000 that chanted for Spinks, the son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, who accompanied his son into the ring.

The fight was stopped at 2:49 of the ninth round, after Spinks was knocked down for the second time by Judah’s left hand.

Judah pressed the attack after the first knockdown and avoided Spinks’ desperate efforts to tie him up.

All three judges had Judah (33-2, 24 knockouts) comfortably ahead when the bout was stopped.

Judah’s victory paves the way for a deciding third bout. Both fighters said they would be interested.

The fight was the first major bout in St. Louis in more than 40 years, and it was a sellout, helped by Spinks’ large following.

Judah set the tone from the first round, stalking Spinks while the champion mostly danced. He also staggered Spinks, dropping him to his knees at the bell in the seventh round, but it was not judged a knockdown.

Spinks (34-3, 11 knockouts), sensing he needed a big finish, had a strong start to the ninth round and connected with a big left about 40 seconds in and then followed with a nice right and a combination.

None of it affected Judah, who knocked down Spinks for the first time with about 50 seconds left in the round.