This is a tougher fight than the Bradley fight. Judah is World Class at 140. He can pop at that weight. He can put Khan to sleep.
Oh wait Khan ducked Bradley, Prescott and Guerrero and took the easy option in Judah...but was he not supposed to be avoiding Judah too?? I can't keep up with this!!!
Khans back with Alex, no flying around world in this camp, got Roach to himself in this camp also, Khan already looking in good shape, trained for a south paw in last camp. This will be a decent fight one Khan should win, Zab has a good punchers chance, Khan needs to watch out for Zab's traps and don't walk on to them, Roach will address this in the camp. Khan should stop Zab 8th 9th rds
Zab has more than a punchers. He has changed himself around with Pernell in his corner he is a different animal.
Zab will set traps and spark Khan out I reckon. -Khan doesn't have the size/power to force Judah to get ragged and wilt like others have -Khan looked dreadful against McLoskey -Khan often squares up and leave himself open -Zab has decent pop -Zab is now a lot more economic with his output, and cagey. In other words, bad stylistic matchup for Khan. When first mooted last year (when he was supposed to fight Casamayor at the O2) I had Zabs awful performance on the undercard of Calzaghe-Roy Jones on the brain. He looked ABYSMAL! Since then, he's finally made the kinda' adjustments he needed in his earlier days, he's past his best, but I think that this is a bad stylistic matchup for Khan based on recent performances from both.
To say he has a punchers chance is a discredit to his abilities. He can punch, but he's also technically very skilled and his speed. Teach him to deal with Judah in 6 weeks of training.. I don't see it. It's going to be a rough ride if Khan wins it. I'm pretty certain it won't be by stoppage either. For me it's either victory for Judah by way of TKO/KO or Decision. Or Khan by decision.
Can't see that happening. Also, Roach may well show Khan what Zab might set up, but it's clear to see Amir isn't the brightest of fighters, and his Ring I.Q is pretty low. He can only do what he always does, either it works or it doesn't, this is always how it will be for him. Zab might be past it enough that he can't get any top notch shots off, but if he turns up I see this being a very bad night for Khan.
Judah is more dangerous in the first 4 rounds than Bradley but Bradley is more dangerous in the last 4 rounds. Against Maidana who had strength and power over Khan, Amir could box him. Judah has the speed and skills to box with Khan should he choose. Khan needs to use that height, reach and movement very well. PS - Surely Judahs camp will watch Khans last fight and see how many shots he missed from a bit of head movement. Judah knows how to move his head and SWEET PEA SURE AS **** KNOWS HOW TO MOVE HIS HEAD! Hopefully Khan has learnt from the McCloskey fight and will time his shots and judge the range much better.
Amir didn't box Maidana IMO, he did what he always did, come forward, throw a flurry, step out, repeat, and that was due to handspeed, which he'll have less of an advantage with this time. And he can't use those advantages because his foot positioning, an inherant problem, is dreadful. This whole 'Judah is dangerous for the first four rounds' doesn't apply anymore IMO, there's been a clear stylistic shift in his last two fights.
I see Khan needing to have a high output of his fast straight punches to build up an early lead on Judah cos previous performances suggest Zab may start slowly. Khan must stay disciplined behind the jab though because both he and Judah must know that Zab's best chance here is by getting Khan to walk onto a big counter. If he does get an early lead, I'd advise him to stay on the move for the last few rounds and let Zab come to him. Getting him out of a gameplan with which he is comfortable is a must for Khan I feel and if he does this he should be able to pick up a pretty wide points decision. But there are big risks in this fight so I would suggest him going looking for a KO would be a big mistake.
For me, this will be Khan's toughest fight to date. The Maidana fight up until the 10th was relatively under control, and should have remained under control given how crude Maidana can be.... With Zab, there is no real skills deficit, if anything it favours Zab. The difference is in age and physique. Zab is definitely a bigger test than Bradley and the winner should be considered the no.1 in the division :deal
I think the biggest reason to back Judah is Khans appalling concentration skills and ability to stay focused on the game plan when things go tough. Mid to late rounds.. Judah catches him a few times or begins frustrate Khan.. Khan goes off plan.. straight into Judah's hands. It's going to be interesting.