New York, NY – Another jam packed weekend of pugilistic action is upon us. First; let’s delve into the featured bout of the weekend.
“ATTACK & CONQUER”
Light welterweight (140) belt holders Amir Khan (25-1, 17 KOs) and Zab Judah (41-6, 28 KOs) clash for 12 rounds or less for their respective titles on Saturday from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Coverage begins at 10 PM ET on HBO.
BOXING KHAN HAS GOT POWER AND GUTS
Khan (right)
Postmortem of an exhilarating war against fierce scrapper Marcos Maidana in which Britain’s Amir Khan proved his naysayers wrong in regard to his chin, Khan returns to the spotlight for his forth attempted title defense. Prior to his recent triumphs, Khan won his first 18 bouts, whacking out 14. Going into his 19th professional bout against unbeaten contender Breidis Prescott, the buzz was high for Amir to rise to prominence. However, Amir got starched by a right hand from Prescott and lasted just 54 seconds in the bout. Since the embarrassment against Prescott, Amir has won seven straight
(2 KOs) and managed to pick up the WBA strap. Khan’s recent win streak is highlighted with victories over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera (W TD 5), Paulie Malignaggi (W TKO 11), and the aforementioned Marcos Maidana (W UD 12).
DESPITE ACCOLADE, ZAB STILL SEEKS DEFINING MOMENT
Always the competitor, Zab Judah has fought the best of the best over the past ten years. During that span, Zab had moments of brilliance, but has fallen short of victory in his most important fights against the likes of Kostya Tszyu (KO 2, “don’t ever play with matches”), Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L UD 12), Miguel Cotto (TKO 11), and Joshua Clottey (L TD 9). As a result, Judah went years without holding a significant title; prompting most “experts” to believe that Zab may have already peaked. In addition, after a couple streaky performances of late; questions loomed as to what he had left in the tank. Nonetheless, a defiant Judah continued his quest of proving his once well regarded talents and managed to pick up the vacant IBF strap and has also acquired the knowledge of one of boxing’s best; Pernell Whitaker as his trainer.
UNBEATEN HEAVYWEIGHT YOUNG BLOODS IN PPV TILT
6’9, 265 pound heavy handed monster Tyson Fury (14-0, 10 KOs) meets 6’1, 245 (14-0, 9 KOs) brawler Dereck Chisora in a “somebody’s o has gotta go” affair to earn a possible world title shot against Wladimir Klitchsko later in the year. The contest is scheduled for 12 frames, action from Wembley Arena in London begins Saturday at 3 PM ET on PPV.
ESPN JOINT
As per usual, the popular fight series “ESPN Friday Night Fights” kicks off the boxing weekend. Each installment of the decorated series features news, analysis of upcoming bouts, interviews, celebrity guests offering insight into the world of boxing, and competitive scraps. This week’s card showcases solid super middleweight (168) Anthony Dirrell (22-0, 19 KOS) fresh off a seven fight knockout streak pitted against loser of three of his last six pug Kevin Engel (18-4, 15 KOs). Bell sounds for the first televised bout from the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California at 9 PM ET on ESPN 2.
John Signorella