Amir Khan vs Zab Judah: Live Blog and Post Fight Analysis from Mandalay Bay
Khan vs Judah
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Hey this is Justin David Tate, your source for all things relating to the biggest fight of the year so far: Amir Khan vs Zab Judah.
I shall conduct round-by-round analysis live from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas where the fight will take place.
This bout is the ultimate make-or-break fight of the year.
Khan (25-1, 17 KOs) is a 24-year-old world champion at junior welterweight (140 lbs.) with starry-eyed dreams of moving up to welterweight (147 lbs.) to face Mayweather.
Judah (41-6, 28 KOs) is a 33-year-old veteran who's won titles at welterweight and junior welterweight and now wants to give boxing his best while he still has his abilities in tact.
Tonight's match will be for Judah's IBF junior welterweight title and Khan's WBA junior welterweight title.
Judah was mentioned earlier in the year as a potential opponent for pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) in 2012.
A victory over Khan makes that a closer possibility.
Undefeated boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) has made statements that a fight between him and Khan is possible for late 2012.
A victory over Judah (who Mayweather has also beaten) will help pave the way for the fight to happen.
A loss for either man dashes their hopes of a super fight with either of the two biggest attractions in boxing.
The fight should begin around 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. I'll keep you posted on the Vegas atmosphere, the undercard and of course, our incredible main event.
The fight overall sets Amir Khan up to face bigger competition some day.
I believe Khan will face Bradley either in December of this year or early next year.
I believe Khan can win and if he does, a battle with fellow Brit Kell Brook will be in line to please his U.K. fans.
Then if Mayweather is still undefeated after facing Victor Ortiz this September and Manny Pacquiao on May 5th 2012, I think the two will be on a collission course for late next year. That's all folks, good night.
I ask Schaefer what would Khan's first opponent be at 147. Schaefer responded that they aren't looking that far ahead.
"I thought the ref was giving me an eight count for a low blow. When I heard nine, ten, I popped up."
There's another quote from Judah about the knockdown/low-blow situation.
Amir Khan talks about the low blow:
"It was a clean shot. We were working on that bodyshot."
Khan believes he fired a clean uppercut to the body. To each his own, but I don't agree.
Khan is now up talking about the fight.
"I'm going to Mecca for my pilgrimage...I can say he'll have a lot more fans in England."
The crowd is asking him who he wants to fight next.
Judah thanks his whole team and then talks about the low-blow.
Now Richard Schaefer is up at the podium.
"My hat goes off to Zab...I call him the undisputed champion because the other champion didn't want to fight him (Timothy Bradley)."
Interesting quote from Schaefer.
Zab Judah is about to speak.
She asked Pernell Whitaker to speak first.
"Been around the world too long to make excuses. I just let the world judge it."
Great words from Pernell Whitaker.
Kathy Duva is being booed for talking about the low-blow and saying Judah should have been given a time-out.
The big conclusion by my colleagues in the press room is that Judah is done.
I personally think he'll make an excellent gatekeeper for future talent.
But he should retire. He's missed his big chance, which ended early.
Even if it had continued, Khan's long, fast jab wouldn't have wrote a good ending for Judah.
I love him, which is why I want him to go out now with his career still intact.
Now I'm in the press room hoping to get more clairification on that low blow.
Amir Khan wins by fifth round knockout.
I think the knockout is very wrong, but Judah wasn't going to win this fight anyway with the route that it was going.
I'm very disappointed in the referee though.
The crowd is booing from every obvious angle of this low-blow that shows on this screen.
The replay is showing a major low-blow.
This fight needs to continue. They are showing it from various angles.
Khan is multiplying his punches. Judah is not throwing.
Judah is down from what looks to be a low blow.
Now the referee has stopped the fight. WHAT!?
Khan's reach mixed with speed is telling the tale of this fight.
Khan progresses forward, hits Judah and then holds.
These holds are causing headbutts that I hope don't end the fight.
Round four comes to a close. 39-37, Khan.
Khan won the round and now round five begins.
Khan landed a nice combo against the ropes on Judah.
He has to stay off the ropes, because Khan impresses everytime he lays on them.
This is not pretty for Judah.
Khan's activity is pressing him forward toward victory.
Judah is mostly on the defensive waiting for Khan to screw up, which he did plenty in round one and two.
But in rounds three and four, Khan is tightening his game up.
Khan showed off another nice combination before the round ended.
Round three: Khan, 10-9.
29-28, Khan.
Khan sneaks a three punch combo in after a break.
Then Khan plows Judah against the ropes.
Khan knocks Judah into two different ring posts.
Judah is blocking most of the shots, but they are still moving him.
Round three begins and Khan's jab is becoming a factor.
But Judah snuck a mean bodyshot.
Khan lands nicely against the ropes.
The crowd comes alive for Khan's interesting rally.
Round two comes to an end, Khan wins the round 10-9. 19-19, even.
Judah is just too smart and sneaky right now.
Khan is reaching in and getting nothing.
The British horn chorus is annoying.
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