by Alex Mattis
Las Vegas was the site as Amir Khan and Zab Judah fought to unify the WBA and IBF light welterweight titles. A plethora of smack talk accompanied this fight and had the boxing community paying attention. Would Khan continue his ascension or would the curse of the chin aid in a Judah victory?
What could have been the great ticket back to the top for Zab Judah, turned into the proverbial nightmare.
From the opening bell, Khan was the clearly more active and prepared of the two. Throwing combinations from the very start and getting into Judah’s face time and time again. Judah seemed intent on throwing a lead right hook, and a lead right hook only. Not until the 3rd round did Judah begin to throw his left hand.
The 3rd and 4th rounds were the true portrait of the bout. Khan landing at will, mixing up attacks to the head and body, staying very active in the clinch, and overall besting whereas Judah looked perpetually fatigued and unsure. Judah threw only lead rights and an amount of left hands that could be counted on one hand. It seemed like a matter of time until Khan finished the bout.
Of course, it wouldn’t have been a Zab Judah fight without a little bit of drama. In the 5th, Khan landed an uppercut to the body that wilted Judah and put him down for the count. After the bout was waved off, Judah, and everyone in his corner, was shouting that the shot was a “(expletive) low blow.” The replay showed it was borderline at best. It seemed Judah just needed a way out.
This prevailing victory is sure to/has already propelled Khan in the boxing world. Despite the dominant nature of this victory, one would be remiss to believe Khan is ready for a fighter the level of Floyd Mayweather. Amir Khan is heading to the top, without a doubt, but he needs not get ahead of himself.
As for Judah? Honestly, where does he go from here?
full results:
Amir Khan def. Zab Judah via KO (Body Punch) in R5
Peter Quillin def. Jason Lehoullier via TKO in R5
Ronny Rios def. Noe Lopez Jr. via TKO
James Kirkland def. Alexis Hloros via TKO in R2
Gary Russell Jr. def. Eric Estrada via unanimous decision
Jamie Kavanagh def. Marcos Herrera via unanimous decision (59-54, 60-54,59-54)
