Britain’s Amir Khan is out to prove himself the class of the crowded light welterweight division today as he takes on veteran champion Zab Judah in a world title unification bout.
Khan, the World Boxing Association champion, goes for his eighth victory in a row when he takes on the US southpaw, who holds the International Boxing Federation belt.
Khan and Judah are just two of the top-level fighters in a division that also features World Boxing Council champion Timothy Bradley, Andriy Kotelnik and Lucas Matthyse.
Photo: AFP
After Bradley turned down a chance to fight Khan, the Briton agreed to take on Judah, an experienced 33-year-old who brings a record of 41-6 with 28 knockouts to the bout.
It could prove the toughest match to date for Khan, who has a record of 25-1 with 17 knockouts.
“Zab is a tricky southpaw who has won many world titles, but I don’t think this is his time,” Khan said of Judah, who was the undisputed welterweight world champion six years ago. “I know how to beat Judah. He doesn’t have the hunger that I do. I don’t think he can take the belt off me.”
Judah has painstakingly worked his way back to the top of the light welterweight division after eight years in the welterweight ranks. He won three major welterweight belts, but suffered five of the six defeats on his record at the higher weight.
While Khan, trained by Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, has youth and speed on his side, Judah has plenty of experience and a recent run of success that includes five victories in a row. Khan will be his fourth opponent in barely more than a year.
“It was a long road back to the top, but this is what a champion is made of. When they are knocked down, they rise back up to the top,” Judah said, adding that at this point in his career he can’t afford a defeat. “Amir can deal with a loss right now. It’s ‘Super’ Judah time.”
After a narrow split decision over Argentina’s Matthysse last November, Judah turned to fighter-turned-trainer Pernell Whitaker, who has shored up his defensive skills.
“Having him in my corner exempts the whole Freddie Roach thing,” said Judah, who believes his experience will make the difference against the younger man. “We’re definitely going to take him to school. He’s a great fighter, but this fight is a little premature for him.”
Khan scoffs at that notion.
“We come into this fight as favorites and I’m going to take those titles back home,” Khan said. “He won’t be able to take the pressure, the speed and the power. I think he’s taken the wrong fight.”
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