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#1
Sometimes a great fighter meets a good fighter at the wrong time. That's exactly what I feel we'll see tonight when Judah and Khan square off on HBO.
Amir Khan is a great fighter. Don't believe me? Just ask him. In an interesting article done by Yahoo! Sports writer Kevin Iole, Amir Khan was quoted as saying “Pound-for-pound, I’m way ahead” of all other British fighters." and that he believed HBO also feels the same.
He also went on to say “I want to be a legend in this business and to do that, you have to fight the guys that no one else wants to fight. A true champion fights anyone and that’s how I try to be. If someone thinks they can beat me, then that’s a person I want to fight.” To view the complete article, go to: https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AkZGLXFaeK.G2gqvNOkEdU2UxLYF?slug=ki-iole_khan_judah_fight_072211
Don't get me wrong - one should aspire to be the best. However, you must first accomplish something prior to making these claims. Khan has yet to do that in my eyes.
I was impressed by the outstanding amateur career, complete with a silver medal. I didn't miss the blinding speed and dual fisted power shown in the boxing clinics he put on against accomplished veterans such as Salita, Kotelnik, and Malignaggi. Come to think of it, maybe he is as good as he says he is, or appears to be. Or is he?
I was shocked when he was destroyed in the first round by Breidis Prescott. Maybe even more so when he looked all the bit of a pound-for-pound king in dominating the hard punching Maidana for 9 rounds, only to get hurt badly in the 10th and struggle to hold on down the stretch.
There are definitely some chinks in the armor. Is Judah the one to expose them yet again? Maybe.
Zab Judah has seen the highest of highs. 5 time world champion. He has made millions of dollars. Then there are the lows...
There was the loss to Tszyu that resulted in a him grabbing Jay Nady by the throat and tossing a chair that resulted in a $75,000 fine and a sixth month suspension. Then an unexpected loss to Cory Spinks. Then another setback after a shocking loss to Baldomir, a fight that was nothing more than a warm up prior to the superfight against Mayweather. Losses to Cotto and Clottey also followed.
Up and down, down and up. That has been the story of Judah's career. Admitted partying and lack of focus played a major role in the inconsistency of what once promised to be a legendary career. Judah has since converted to Christianity and says he's changed his old ways.
I know, everyone finds Jesus when they go to jail.. or at least the boxing equivalent. Oddly enough, I believe him. Or maybe at least the way he is approaching his life and career these days.
Obtaining the services of both Pernell Whitaker and Victor Conte are going to pay dividends. While many say that these are poor choices, I couldn't disagree more. I feel these additions are exactly the things that will enable him to be competitive tonight.
Can Conte cure Judah's fading down the stretch in fights? I have no idea. However, I know he won't hurt it. I also know that Conte has done excellent work recently with fellow fighter Nonito Donaire. Judah has added solid upper mass, that's for sure. His water bottle might not say "Balco" on it but it won't say "windy" neither.
Whitaker can be the wild card here. A defensive wizard and master fight planner might be able to give some valuable insight on how to approach the unique skills of Khan. Once again, can't hurt him.
I'm sorry if you were expecting a more technical write-up. Sometimes you must throw out the X's and O's. This one fits the mold. I'll never forget seeing a 32 year old Tszyu knockout an undefeated 24 year old phenonm from Brooklyn as a 4/1 underdog. That's exactly why I'm picking 33 year old Zab Judah to defeat Amir Khan.
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