Khan, Judah battle tonight
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS
Amir Khan often spars in camp with Manny Pacquiao, so he’s used to tough fights. Zab Judah plans to give him just that when they meet for real tonight in a 140-pound unification fight.
Khan and Judah both bring titles into the bout, which pits a veteran who has been in the ring against some big names against a fighter who seems to just be reaching his prime. It figures to be a crossroads fight for both boxers, though Khan is the one with a potentially brighter future.
The British fighter said he took the fight because he only wants to fight the best.
“I think everyone knows I’ve got a big task in front of me. I’ve got Zab Judah,” Khan said. “My goals are to take the best out there and the likes of Floyd Mayweather one day. At the moment, I want to take things a step at a time.”
To take on Mayweather, Khan sees himself moving up to 147 pounds and campaigning as a welterweight. For now, though, he’s comfortable at 140, where he has defended his WBA title three times since winning it in December 2009 by beating Dmitriy Salita.
Judah is the biggest name Khan has met and, at the age of 33, he comes into the scheduled 12-round bout with the IBF version of the title. Judah, who lost a decision to Mayweather five years ago, has won five straight fights and says he has recommitted himself to a career that has now stretched over 15 years.
Judah said his experience in big fights may be the deciding factor against his younger opponent.
“I’ve been where he’s been, and he’s going to have to do it in the lights,” Judah said. “I’ve beaten a guy from Argentina, a guy from Africa, and now I’m going to beat a guy from the U.K.”
Judah comes into the fight with a 41-6 record and 28 knockouts, while Khan is 25-1 with 17 KOs.