By Eric Thomas: WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (25-1, 17 KO’s) has a fatalistic view on Saturday’s fight against IBF light welterweight champion Zab Judah (41-6, 28 KO’s), seeing it a do-or-die fight where both fighter’s careers hinge on winning the bout. To be sure, Khan would be losing out on a tremendous potential payday against Floyd Mayweather Jr next year, as would Judah with possible fights against either Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao.

“If Zab Judah doesn’t win, he’s finished,” Khan said to the Manchester Evening News. “The same goes for me. But I’m at the level now where I can’t be beat. I know I’ve got the skill to hurt him.”

Khan needs to sit down and watch a replay of his recent fight against Marcos Maidana when he says no one can beat him. Maidana, who isn’t a great fighter, almost did just that and had Khan staggering around the ring. A lot of referees would have stopped the fight in the 10th when Khan was out on his feet but referee Joe Cortez allowed it to continue, and even broke the action on a number occasions when Khan was getting pounded against the ropes by Maidana.

Judah has the power to hurt Khan, and hopefully Khan doesn’t lose sight of that fact. If Judah lands one of his big shots that Khan doesn’t see coming, that could be the end of Khan. But Khan will be back, as would Judah. The light welterweight division really doesn’t have a lot of talent right now, and both Khan and Judah can easily rise up and snatch belts.

Look at the competition: Devon Alexander has been exposed in fights against Andriy Kotelnik, Timothy Bradley and Lucas Matthysse, and arguably should have lost all three fights. Timothy Bradley has no power and is small. Matthysse lacks boxing ability to really dominate. Humberto Soto, who is about to move up in weight to the light welterweight division, is likely too small to dominate at this weight. Roberto Guerrero will be lucky to get by Maidana. He’s a good inside fighter but not really fast and not a big puncher at this weight. Maidana can punch but that’s about it. Khan and Judah will be back, because the division is ordinary right now.