If Judah lands flush, he wins.

I like Khan, but I cannot see him taking Judah's best shot at all. Logic says the younger, fresher, hungrier guy should win, but I wouldn't bet on this fight.

In the big fight on the other side of the pond, I strongly fancied Chisora... until he weighed in at 261lbs. If pushed I'd still back him to win, but am a lot less confident now.

Two real 50/50s here I think. I say Judah and Chisora tentatively, but wouldn't be at all surprised if I was wrong on both counts. This uncertainty is what makes for exciting nights of boxing!

:bbb

 

I hear what you're saying man, Judah has all the ability, but he's a mental midget, we have indeed seen this time and again. I just think his power and Khan's chin is a nasty cocktail for Amir. I have my doubts that he can swallow it, even though he may have spells in the fight where he is dominant.

 

Khan showed a decent chin in the Maidana fight, better than I thought he had, but I still think Judah's combination of speed, power, technique and craftiness could prove too much for his resistance to withstand.

 

Was re-watching Zab-Mabuza last night and was saying to myself that it wouldn't be in Zab's best interests to fight Amir in that same way. Zab was very relaxed in that fight. Too relaxed. So relaxed that if Mabuza was a bit quicker, he probably would've put Zab on his butt more than once.

Unless Zab is planning on picking up the pace athletically in that same defensive stance, it would behoove him not to fight like that against Khan. Khan would like nothing more than for Judah to move backwards at a leisurely pace so that he can rip off 4-5 punch combinations as Zab is going backwards. That's the fight Amir wants.

Amir's bread and butter is being able to control the offensive tempo of the fight and if Zab fights like he did against Mabuza, Amir will be able to do exactly what he wants. Zab doesn't have to worry about Amir's pressure fighting, or in-fighting. But, he needs to be as offensive-minded as Amir is to be competitive in this fight.

Zab's offense was extremely lackluster in the Mabuza fight. He nary landed a hard punch before the TKO. That cannot happen against Khan or Amir will feast on him. Zab has to shoot the straight left and not be afraid to throw his own combos as he's coming forward. If he waits on Amir, and is content on walking backwards, I guarantee you he'll be on the canvas. Guarantee.


I just think Zab can't afford to be too defensive minded in this fight if he's going to fight in that posture. It's one thing for Pea to teach him some defensive fundamentals that he might've been missing, but taking away what Zab does best--punch--is more of a hinderance than an improvement. I also noticed that Zab had tons of counter opportunities in the Mabuza fight and did not take advantage of them. I have no idea why either. Maybe he was thinking too much. Maybe Pernell was in his ear telling him to be patient. Whatever it was, he can't let those kinds of opportunities be missed against Amir.

There are opportunities to counter Amir, but rather than back staight up when Amir is punching, he needs to slip to the side and counter. Judah also seemed content to clinch with Mabuza when Mabuza got close. This isn't Zab's game. I think Zab needs to fight like Amir's going to fight in this fight. Zab needs to let his hands go straight away, and stand his ground.

I just don't want to see a situation where Judah loses it mentally because of a stupid mistake that was completely avoidable. We all saw how frustrated he got when Mabuza got the flash KD and he got that KD because Zab was off balance and backing up. Zab can't afford to have those hiccups against Amir.

Lastly, Zab used the triple jab against Mabuza a lot. And it was ineffective. I don't think using that tactic is wise because Amir can just counter. Zab needs to use a solid 1-2 combo, and forget about doubling/tripling an ineffective jab. Zab needs to use his quick jab to set up his power shots, namely the straight left.

 

Khan doesn't just stand there, he literally runs backwards round the outside of the ring like a scared amateur, showing no footwork or ring smarts at all. Unlike Maidana, Judah is fast enough to catch him and put him down and out.