It might not qualify as a super fight but the July 23rd Amir Khan-Zab Judah clash pits two of the best junior welterweights in the world against one another and figures to be a classic showdown of youth vs. experience. Taking place inside of the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, it will be interesting to see how the 33-year old southpaw Judah and the 25-year old WBA champion from Britain size each other up when the bells rings.
As important of a fight as this is for Khan, he initially saw a grudge match with WBC and WBO boss Timothy Bradley slip through the cracks after the Palm Springs fighter passed up on an offer of $1.4 million. The IBF champion Judah is dangerous and seasoned however, and Khan insists their was no letdown heading into the fight.
<--- Slideshow: Amir Khan and Zab Judah face off in Los Angeles
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to unify the 140-pound division which always has been a dream of mine,” Khan stated during Wednesday’s press conference in Los Angeles. “Fighting Zab was the toughest option my team presented to me, but a true champion is up for any challenge. I already was in training camp because it doesn’t matter who I fight; I will train hard no matter who it is because I want to be the best.”
Judah is simply happy to be back in the spotlight. After memorable runs at 140 and 147 pounds in recent years he felt that a move back to the junior welterweight class was something of a new start and his seventh-round starching of South Africa’s Kaizer Mabuza this past March was confirmation that his fighting days are far from over.
This is another huge moment in his life and career, one that Judah couldn’t be any more elated for.
“I got what I wanted, so I am happy,” Judah exclaimed. “Now it’s time to go work. I’ve been praying on this fight. My goal is to be undisputed champion at two weights. I did it at 147 and I’m gonna do it at 140 starting with Amir Khan. I’m gonna work hard. I’m very experienced, so whichever way he brings the fight, I can deal with it and take it from him.”
