News – Khan could be facing Zab Judah next
December 16th, 2009
By William Mackay: World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) could be facing veteran Zab Judah (38-6, 26 KO’s), according to news from The Mirror. Apparently, Khan’s promoter Frank Warren is looking at the 32-year-old Judah as a potential next opponent for Khan in early 2010. Khan also could fight on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight on March 13th.
No matter how fast Khan’s hands are and how good of a boxer he is, he’d be in serious danger against the likes of those aforementioned fighters. This is why it came to no surprise to me that Judah’s name was mentioned as an opponent for Khan. Based on Khan’s history of fighting older, some say ‘washed up fighters’, like Marco Antonio Barrera, Michael Gomez and Gairy St. Clair, it seems logical that Khan would continued to be steered towards the old ones.
It’s kind of like taking an old lion, taking his teeth and claws out and then putting in with a young lion who has problems of some sort. Judah would be the perfect opponent for Khan to fight. Let’s see, Judah has lost four out of his last nine bouts and hasn’t beaten a top fighter in the past four years since his stoppage win over Cory Spinks in 2005.
Judah has been beaten by Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Carlos Baldomir in the past three years, making him the perfect opponent for Khan. It might not look good Khan facing yet another older fighter, but it sure beats getting knocked out in the 1st round like he was last year when Khan was put in with a live lion with real teeth and claws in the form of Colombian knockout artist Breidis Prescott. Khan has rebounded from that loss with four straight wins over Oisin Fagan, Barrera, Andriy Kotelnik and Dmitriy Salita. Granted, none of those fighters have any real power, but they’re all decent fighters in their own way.
A win over Judah would buy Khan and his handlers some time to figure out what they want to do with him. He’s going to have to fight interim WBA light welteweight champion Marcos Maidana at some point if he plans on holding onto the title. However, taking on Judah, rather than Maidana, would give Khan another payday before he has to face the question of whether to risk all and take Maidana or vacate the title, like many boxing fans and writers think he’s going to do.
Judah may not be as much of an easy fight as some people think. Judah is a good six to eight round fighter and still has good hand speed and power during that part of the fight. However, if you take Judah past the eight round point, he seems to run out of gas entirely and end up losing. Khan would have to stay away from exchanges with Judah until it was late in the fight and safe to throw punches without worry.
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kp, your the only person i feel sorry for more than salita. lol
Khan is good and jope this fight will push through.
forgot to add, alex ariza told me khans got a very good chin the reason he looked bad in his earlier fights was because of his weak legs and they working on that, he went on to they wanted to develop huge calve muscles like pacman to withstand the punches. Im gonna take videos this time round for the berto sparring, cant wait !! Guys leave any questions u would want me to ask.. theres roach, alex, rashad, khan, berto, later!
Ive been stateside to the wildcard gym and oh boy its true what freddie says theres no one can knock down either khan or pacman, mosley sparred with khan for 4 rounds, although his punches werent affecting mosley alot (imo) mosley could not land even 1 shot on him. You think hes quick on telly, at ringside your jaw will drop when you see him move. Im going again on jan 20, rashad at the gym was saying berto is gonna be sparring with pac and khan, wouldnt miss that for the world!
Lets try and wrap this argument up, afterall all I aid was that this fight would be a good chance for Amir to shut up some critics as Judah is a harder pucher than his last 4 opponents and has fought on world level it was positive for Khan if anything but I got jumped on by Khans fans.
Basically this is a good fight for both, Khans been slated for not fighting anyone who can punch so he’ll want to change that and everyone says Judah is washed up so he will feel that this is his last chance saloon.
As Judahs past his best and Khan is yet to peak I find it tough to call, on paper Khan but you never know which Zab will turn up. I knew straightaway that Khan would bet Barrera, afterall he was a 35 year old featherweight fighting at lightweight, a bad match wherea Judah has fought at light-welter and welter all his career.
Zab judah…well washed up and not been a force at 140 for about 6 years, was recently due to face matthew hatton but pulled out..thats all we need to about the level zab judah is at these days.
And you khan fans still say he isnt a joke? Theyl be digging kostya tsyzu up next
There is unbelievable stupidity on this comments page.
Istaiaq and shaqeebs comments should not be read as they are fans of islam and not boxing. Their combined knowledge you could fit on the back of a stamp
Zab judah has been well washed up since 2006 and hasnt beaten a world class fighter for 4 years and was last a lightwelterweight about 5 years ago. He was due to fight matthew hatton recently so thats all we need to know about the level hes at nowadays.
Old, washed up, lost too many times. Im not at all surprised khan wanting to fight him. Maybe after that they can dig up kostya tsyzu for one last payday. Wouldnt surprise me either
steve castro you type utter sh1t i cant belive you mention khan in the same breath as tyson no i know you are full of well take a wild guess tyson had balls something king khon is lacking and at 23 tyson wasnt cherry picking his opponents ffs i think your khon using a suedinim are you could be related to perez
I wouldn’t put Khan anywhere near a puncher like Judah who has been fighting much bigger men than Khan. Although he has many defeats, they have been against the very best and I think he will be a major threat at light welter. Khan’s team will want someone like Malignaggi who’s no real threat although talk of Castillo is just plain ridiculous.
Shakeeb Nawaz- Sorry it was the seniors not juniors, and it was Craig Watson in 2005.
I honestly think under the guidence of Roach, Amir will go very far, but all I am trying to say is he is not the finished article, that only comes with maturity and you as a pugilist should know this.
tough question I would appose a thought and say N, smedley, I could be wrong though, I didnt follow the Aba’s in 2003, if i have the years right, I even think i was away from England at the time.
Shakeeb Nawaz, I think Khan is a promising fighter but tell me did you follow him during his amateur career? Who put him down in the second round of the junior ABA’s Mr boxing expert???
P.S there is nothing personal here, good look with the finals.
Istiaq mohammed- Yes because perfect boxers get knocked out in under a minute. And of course perfect boxers go down against elite fighters like willie limmond and Gomez. Seriously mate, is your mouth connected to your brain?
You obviously know nothing about boxing otherwise I would’nt have to engage in this outragous confort in logical know how. An opinion is an opinion is an opinion, back it up? It’s called my thoughts against your thoughts, but my thoughts hold logical theory, your tend to wallow off in useless jawntness.
Wh0ever tha a??h0le wuz wh0 said m0rales w0uld destr0y any jr. welter u need t0 be slapped f0r p0stin a stupid c0mment like that tha man hasnt f0ught in 3 years. david diaz retired him enuff said. i like khan but i w0uldnt put in there wit zab. him an campbell w0uld b a g00d fite
Shakeeb Nawaz- I am competing in the ABA northwest county finals in a couple of months. Why don’t you come down and question my knowledge then mate?
Shakeeb Nawaz- Is that all you say? How about you back up your opinions before slating others.
And before you ask….. yes I know ALOT about boxing!
Look what khan did to salita, A boxer with a record of 30-0-1, your telling me khan isnt a perfect boxer? YOu talk nonsense, You should follow golf, and leave boxing to the no how people of the world.
My view is that Khan is a good technical boxer. P4P probably one of the quickest in the game, but he has flaws, and NOBODY can say he is a perfect boxer.
How can you say prescott was a “one off” or a “lucky punch”??? Khan has tasted canvas through out his career, including amateur.
Don’t get me wrong, Amir definatly has the tools to beat a one dimensional prescott but he didn’t. End off.
What do I have to back Up? I can bet i have done more rounds of boxing you could only tank with and dream of, Was you even born when I was training studiying and fighting? You comments hold no water, Khan has too much talent for gamon fighters like Judah, Morales hold more of a verbatom power presence and continuity.
There’s plenty of guys at 140 to fight who are young and willing. Sounds like Roach isn’t as sure about Khan’s chin as youwould hope. He’s protecting Khan like the President!
Just keep feeding him has-beens and see what happens. Maybe after Judah they’ll match him with Jose Luis Castillo and then if they’re lucky they can “lure” Erik Morales into the ring.
Shakeeb Nawaz- all you say is that. You don’t back up your opinions, you just slate others. And don’t ask if I know anything about boxing, trust me, I do.
Anyone saying Khan should fight MORALES should be lined up and shot!
You hit the nail on the head Shakeeb.
RYAN do you know anything about boxing?? Clearly not. I suppose Two men at hoggers is you theory of the art. You cant gammon this type of thing. Enough Said.
khan is alot better than people give him credit for….but fair enough he hasnt fought anyone to prove it.
against prescot he got caught…thats all,
think what happened to Herol Graham against Julian jackson? Graham was out boxing him the whole fight and on course to win when all of a sudden he got caught… can happen to any fighter. And since that loss prescott has lost twice.. while khan has won a world title.
Even maidana has lost to kotelnik, who khan happened to beat.
hes 22 years old and most fighters would still be dreaming of a world title. Hes better than other 22 year olds but still needs time to develop to stand a chance against elite fighters. what other boxer has fought the best of the best since they were 21?
plus hes got his dodgy chin to worry about
What is being said on this topic is beyond belief!!!
So Judah is past it, but Morales who has never fought at 140 and has been out of the ring for over TWO, yes TWO years is classed as an elite fighter???
Zab ‘super’ Juder gave Cotto all he could handle and then some before multiple low blows stopped him in his tracks.
I’d expect Khan to beat Zab on points but this is the perfect fight for him at this stage in his career.
Anyone who thinks bradley/alexander/urango wouldn’t give Khan trouble are either dillusional or have been sniffing way too much glue and people saying he should fight mayweather/manny are in a dreamland!! Why not stick him in with paul williams for a laugh!??!
Waheed Ng7- so white fighters have no fan base??? Lets see Khan get 20,000 brits to Vegas to watch him fight. Somehow I can’t see that happening.
most of the posters on here are absolutely clueless about boxing!Theres a few that talk sense but not many.The ones that are the most clueless are the ones saying morales would destroy any light-welterweight!Morales hasnt fought for about 2 0r 3 years now and even then he lost to david diaz if my memeory serves me correctly and diaz is mediocre at best and a bloody lightweight!I wish the blind khan nuthuggers would stop commenting on boxing because they know nothing about it apart from kissing khans arse!
What is being said on this topic is beyond belief!!!
So Judah is to old and yet !!MORALES!! who has never fought at lightwelter and has been out of the ring for over TWO, yes TWO years is classed as elite???
Judah is a Veteren who gave Cotto all he could handle before multiple low blows stopped Zab in his tracks. I think Khan would deal with Judah but this is the perfect fight for him at this stage.
Shakeeb Nawaz- So ricky hatton didn’t have a huge following??? Lets see if Khan can get 20,000 Brits to Vegas, Dont think so!!
Zab judah 2 beat kahn,to strong aggressive kanh wont be able to deal with zab at all,Even tho its not a young zab judah the experience and class that he has will be just to much for kahn
Zab Judah it’s up u to bring that belt back. Zab is still that dude even though Ricky was ducking him to. Zab vs. Hatton after he beats Khan.
Waheed, your knowledge of boxing must be naught. YOur narrow minded comments can be done without.
Alittle racist if you ask me?? What kind of structured comment would sense itself to sink so low? I was born In africa, an of african nature, What a small narrow minded comment to make. Khan has boxing skills to admire, and as a boxing fan since the 40s, I atake to admire them.
Shakeeb & Istiaq your undue praise for the overhyped & overprotected Amir Kon wouldn’t be because he is asian by any chance would it? A little racist if you ask me! As for Khan beating a prime Zab Judah well that’s just plain delusional!
Istiaq, I bet you were one of those idiots that said Khan got Ko’ed by Prescott because of Ramadan as he was weak and i bet the only reason you watch boxing is because of Amir Khan. If you were an avid follower of the sport like myself you would see how obvious it is that Khan has been laughably protected, and to charge PPV to see him is a pi55-take. I do rate Khan but lets not get over excited he’s done nothing yet!
The professor, Do you know anything about boxing? Clearly not. Zab Judah is not on the same wavelengh as khan. You cant say things that will hazzard a guesser. Dont be silly. Khan would derail Zab even when he was in his prime and you suggest him to fight now? Sounds conveyor to me,
Now this is a good fight. Lets make this happen. Zab is long over due for a title again. Paulie did it. Now Khan vs. Zab is good for both fighter because Zab is a elite fighter unlike Ricky Hatton , Zab is a great fighter for Khan to try to beat. Zab Super Judah will be Champion again.
Khan should vacate accordingly and make a confessionary battle against someone like Morales, this compiled with a super fight with the winner of Mayweather and Pacman. A retirement plan should be put in place for Khan after he has beaten Mayweather or Pacman. We don’t want to see him end up like Moseley or Hopkins, washed up studies that continue to box against aged odds. Boxers like Hatton and calzaghe and even froch become jealous with khan because he achieved what they couldn’t at that age. Khan reminds me of a young cassius clay and Tyson, Has the balls to fight the best and whaled abilities to confront the assignment. And as the comment below Duffy, who are you and what have you achieved? Such comments should gammon from being shown.
good point
Khan should vacate accordingly and make a confessionary battle against someone like Morales, this compiled with a super fight with the winner of Mayweather and Pacman. A retirement plan should be put in place for Khan after he has beaten Mayweather or Pacman. We don’t want to see him end up like Moseley or Hopkins, washed up studies that continue to box against aged odds. Boxers like Hatton and calzaghe and even froch become jealous with khan because he achieved what they couldn’t at that age. Khan reminds me of a young cassius clay and Tyson, Has the balls to fight the best and whaled abilities to confront the assignment. And as the comment below Duffy, who are you and what have you achieved? Such comments should gammon from being shown.
khan wearing a crown, what a douche
Too true, why do we want to see khan fight washed up has beens, we want him in there with the best.
Khan has nothing to prove at this weight. Bar khan, the division is full of wet nappies. A move up to welter right now would be a sensible thing. Taking on the best like mayweather and pacman. Khan done the graft, it’s time to get the big money fights now, and we brisitish are right behind you. Go Khan.
Okay he has just turned 23.. what does that matter you still have no clue about boxing!!
Judah is already at square 1.. he hasn’t beat anyone good for years!
He has nothing to lose! He gets another world title shot against a glass jaw kid!
And Khan needs to prove himself against a veteran, who was a quality fighter in his day at a proper weight this time unlike Barrera.
Ok he’s just turned 23, whats it matter? you still have no clue about boxing!
Judah is already at square 1.. what has he got to lose? he hasn’t beat anyone good in years and now he gets a chance against a young world title holder with a glass jaw.. why would you not take that opportunity???
Jamie your diluting facts here, How someone can add 3 to 4 and get 12 is beyond belief. Judah shouldnt take the fight as it will remander him to square 1 once Khan beat him.
And Sumram, I agree with Mark you don’t know what you are on about! Judah is a good fight for Khan who is still learning and only 22. Bradley would be too dangerous. Judah in his prime would destroy the current Khan. He’s still got great speed and experience which is why its a perfect fight for Khan!
LMAO has this guy just said Morrales would smash Bradley and any other light welter??
Your obviosuly aint got a CLUE about boxing you chump!
Yea Shakeeb.. what are you on about? I agree with Mark and will also agree my boxing knowledge is better than yours too!
Judah is a good fight for Khan.. Its a big name and was a very good fighter, who is now not at his peak!
Khan wants to keep the title and fighting someone like Bradley would be too much of a risk! It’s all good prople saying he needs to fight the best fighters out there, but hes still 22 and learning.
As much as I’d like to see him fight Bradley, for himself that isn’t the best option is it!
And to say that Judahs not in his class? Judahs been in his class and further.. Judah in his peak would destroy the current Khan.. which is why it is a good fight for him to take!
What are you on about Shakeeb? Ive pointed out that Judah is past it but Khan is still yet to peak, meaning he is still vunerable and Judah is a harder puncher than his last two opponents, I dont see the hate in pointing that out, by the way, I know a far lot more than you on boxing.
Sumran.
Do you know anything about boxing? Pacqiuao beat Morales but he is still better than bradley!
Diaz lost, but Malignaggi was given that decision, he didnt win fair and square. Diaz was ROBBED!
I believe Bradley would get absolutely hammered by Hatton who is the best in the LW division. He may have lost to Pacquiao, but that was a lucky punch. Put him back in there with hatton and he is getting KTFO!
What a surprise if true another fading fighter for king kon Khan it really is becoming laughable.
Istiaq,
Are you living in 2002?
Morales retured after he was completely shot and Pacquiao destroyed him for the second time in three fights.
Diaz has just lost to Malinaggi.
Bradley is the best fighter in the 140 division and Judah (althogh past his best) has been in with the best of his era. Far from nobodies.
Khan is too big (In size) for judah, Judah now is not the Judah that fought Mayweather and gave him a lot of trouble, Judah does not has the discipline to train anymore. Altough I would like to see this fight and also would like for Judah to win I don’t think it will happen.
What is Khan doing wearing that crown who has he fought the knob Salita Kotelnik i could knock both them out cant for khan to get brought back down a peg or two but if he fights some top boxers and wins in style i will then praise him
BIG FIGHT STILL
This article is damging iron works. One must admire the fact of Khans construction to management issues. He opposis mere threats to any top lightwelter, but clever on the ball mangement steers Khan clear of drastic measures. You cant create key issues with non existant messages, fact. Khan Is the hyped up to the hills and a true boxing fan knows this.
,,,,khan had NO defense when he was knocked down against limond gomez,breides,,,he,s come on leaps and bounds since then,,,,under roach he,s 10 times the boxer he was, and i cant see anyone fast enough to catch that glass jaw of his,,as long as its tucked away behind his gloves which is where it should have been in the first place,,he shouldnt have a problem giving zab a going over,khans gonna win everyround,too fast ,,,!!!!
What are you talking about mark? You dont know much do you? Judah is not good enough to take Khan on, It would be a lose lose for a man Climbing high. Show some respect. You can raise an issue with quality findings such as that, Its obviously typhoon of haters against a superb fighter for the sport.
This will be a fair test for Khan and if he pulls through he can bury some critics, Judah has gone twelve with Mayweather and gave Cotto a war although he is not now at his best Khan is still yet to peak so it will be a fair fight.
Amen Shakeeb!
come on now! he’s only 22.
i think judah should fight a tune up fight before he gets in there with khan or khan is just going to eat him alive.
I don’t think AK should take this fight… I think ZJ will ko with style and inside of 4 rounds… Not a big fan of either but ZJ is far more seasoned! Although ZJ has not had a good win in a while… Well see if it happens!
Judah is a dangerous choice for Khan, because Judah is still quick; has above average power; has reasonably good boxing skills, and is experienced. If Zab is sufficiently motivated, and is well conditioned, he will knock out Khan.
It is a another safe bet for team Roach Zab Judah like Cotto past there best.I would rather watch paint dry.
if he’s worried about his chin why not malignaggi? It’s a step up but not a huge one. Bradley is a huge step up, and why bother with Judah? That doesn’t get him anywhere.
how is judah too dangerous for khan!?!?!?
khan woukd take him out in less than 5 rds. all you player haters out there, nobody in 140 division can match up to his speed except pacquiao. time and again, speed kills have been proven right and with ariza as his conditioner, and roach his trainer we are witnessing the next manny pacquiao.
judah is a joke – whens the last time he beat a – top notch fighter- never he always loses the big fights- looks like there trying to build him up with weak fighters!
Too right Rhey!
Everyone hypes up Maidana but he’s a joke. Ha hasn’t beaten anyone and to get outboxed by Kotelnik who is frankly crp is an embarrassment. Khan is better off fighting a legend like Zab who has been in with the greatest fighters of this generation.
You gotta love the jealous Khan haters! Haha
this piece of article is garbage! khan is so underrated! marquez, maidana are no match for khan! bradley is the only one i can think of to ever give khan a problem. prescot got lucky that time. khan is totally a diff fighter now, i don’t hear anybody calling out his name.
NAIL ON THE HEAD lee
its stupid this is even being talked about, almost as stupid as a fight with castillo
fed up of khan now. i only paid for his last fight to see mitchell.
couldn’t agree more