As reported by our friends at BoxingScene.com earlier today, it looks as though an agreement has been reached for a junior welterweight unification tilt between WBA champion Amir Khan and IBF kingpin Zab Judah for July 23rd. The fight will be televised by HBO and is likely to take place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The two sides had been negotiating feverishly over the past few weeks and it seemed as though a deal might not reached due to money issues and an exact location for the bout. Judah was pushing hard for a 50-50 split and also requesting a venue in Atlantic City but settled on a 55-45 split in Khan’s favor and a Las Vegas setting.
<--- Slideshow: Amir Khan and Alex Ariza reuinted at the Wild Card
I spoke with Judah earlier this month at Buffalo Bill’s Casino in nearby Primm, as he was ringside supporting his friend Sharif Bogere during his grueling win over Raymundo Beltran. I asked him how much a fight with Khan was of value to him and at the time he brushed the British star off.
“Well, I like the [Manny] Pacquiao fight,” Judah said bluntly. “No disrespect to Amir Khan but it’s a step down for myself. He’s a kid. You know what I’m saying? He’s just coming on the scene.”
Days later Pacquiao would sign on to face Juan Manuel Marquez and Judah’s stance on facing Amir obviously changed a bit. The two began a war of words with one another via their personal Twitter accounts and the fight became the logical choice for both men. Advertisement
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Khan had been negotiating for a fight with WBC and WBO champion Timothy Bradley on the same date but the Palm Springs fighter couldn’t be enticed despite a $1.4 million offer. Judah is the next ideal candidate, having had titles previously at 140 and 147 pounds, and recently returned to the championship scene by snatching the IBF title he used to own with a 7th round TKO over South Africa’s Kaizer Mabuza.
It’s a classic case of a seasoned veteran in the 33-year old Judah who will be looking to hold off the rising talents of the 25-year old Khan. Judah’s experience, power, and southpaw attack will surely give Khan troubles but expect the WBA champion to come out of the gates as a clear favorite.
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
