There were the usual jackpot hits inside mega casinos in Las Vegas on Saturday as well as hits inside the boxing ring where Britain’s Amir Khan claimed the IBF title after defeating American Zab Judah.
Amir Khan wins the IBF
The 24-year-old knocked down and out Judah in the fifth round. Judah however asserted that he had been hot below the waist although it was cleared that Khan hit him just above his shorts (waistline). This was Khan’s second victory in Las Vegas and this one made it his 26th overall.
With well over 7000 fans, the arena was roaring and booing occasionally when their favorite won or gagged at each round.
Khan knew that his opponent was in a fragile position as he kept backing away and this only made Khan dominate his position over him. Khan repeatedly used jabs and uppercuts to weaken Judah right from the beginning. His firm right-hands made it only harder on Judah as he struggled to keep his head up. He managed to attack and return a few hard shots however the 33-year-old failed to do as much damage as much was done to him. Khan was aware of the heavy back hand of hi opponent and tried to avoid it as much as possible. It looks like Judah forgot he may have had the upper hand with his back-hand because by the time the fight reached the fifth round, Judah was in no position to attack and was the taker of Khan’s hard blows.
Khan, who was exceptionally confident of his performance, said that he wanted to take his time even though he could have defeated him [Judah] in much earlier rounds. His strength and control influenced the win to favor him.
Even though Khan won all of the earlier four rounds clearly showing obvious domination, Judah insisted that the final hit was a foul. “I was trying to get myself together. When the referee started counting, I thought he was giving me a standing eight count. I thought I would have the chance to get up. I didn’t understand,” he said. The referee, Vic Drakulich, and the replay both declared and confirmed the win as Khan’s.
“It was a low blow” said Judah while Khan, in a separate interview, said “I don’t think it was a low blow”. Judah later cleared that he was in assumption that the time count by the referee was to recover and get up.
Alas, all arguments and disagreements were lost amidst the cheers of the crowd and the big belt was in Khan’s name at the end of the night.
