Cool, Khan, collected...
The second I saw Zab Judah with his top off, I panicked. Not because I swooned or owt, but because he was cut like a mother trucker. He'd clearly taken the prep for this fight very seriously and despite my confidence in the Khan + Roach + Ariza formula, part of me wondered if Zab's experience just might prevail. Then I saw the first round and like I say, I knew differently.
From the off Khan brought the fight to Judah. The bell sounded and a second later Khan was lunging in, letting Judah know that he'd come to play with the big boys. Round 1 - Khan. No contest.
Then I listened to the pep talk from the corners. Team Judah, evidently surprised by Khan's sheer force, seemed somewhat frantic to me - they did not expect Khan's strength nor his speed. Freddie Roach on the other hand was quietly confident, encouraging Khan to stay in control. They clearly had their house in order. Roach was like something from a really cool film; it was one of my favourite moments.
People expected Zab's pace to cause serious problems early on, but he wasn't given the time to get up to speed. The southpaw's feet may have been impressively quick, but Khan's stance was wider, more solid and his pins were speedy when they needed to be. Judah's eye got hurt early in the fight, which clearly caused him some mischief - could that have slowed his fists perhaps? After all there was absolutely no sign of 'Zab's left Jab' - he was getting hit too much to give it an outing.
Going into the 4th, were I Zab Judah, I'd have made my excuses, gone home and curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea. He looked totally fooked! By extreme contrast, Khan got up and piled on more of his precise, lightning quick combinations. Sharp lethal left, great walloping right, left-right, left-right. All delivered within seconds. Judah himself landed some quality shots, but it was evident that King Khan was more dynamic, more athletic, better. Then in the fifth, he dealt the fatal body shot that floored Zab 'Super' Judah.
From the off Khan brought the fight to Judah. The bell sounded and a second later Khan was lunging in, letting Judah know that he'd come to play with the big boys. Round 1 - Khan. No contest.
Then I listened to the pep talk from the corners. Team Judah, evidently surprised by Khan's sheer force, seemed somewhat frantic to me - they did not expect Khan's strength nor his speed. Freddie Roach on the other hand was quietly confident, encouraging Khan to stay in control. They clearly had their house in order. Roach was like something from a really cool film; it was one of my favourite moments.
People expected Zab's pace to cause serious problems early on, but he wasn't given the time to get up to speed. The southpaw's feet may have been impressively quick, but Khan's stance was wider, more solid and his pins were speedy when they needed to be. Judah's eye got hurt early in the fight, which clearly caused him some mischief - could that have slowed his fists perhaps? After all there was absolutely no sign of 'Zab's left Jab' - he was getting hit too much to give it an outing.
Going into the 4th, were I Zab Judah, I'd have made my excuses, gone home and curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea. He looked totally fooked! By extreme contrast, Khan got up and piled on more of his precise, lightning quick combinations. Sharp lethal left, great walloping right, left-right, left-right. All delivered within seconds. Judah himself landed some quality shots, but it was evident that King Khan was more dynamic, more athletic, better. Then in the fifth, he dealt the fatal body shot that floored Zab 'Super' Judah.
Low blow?
The uppercut left Judah on all fours, unable to move. Seconds later the fight was awarded to Khan. Team Judah have objected the decision, adamant that Khan inflicted a low and illegal blow. From what I can tell, yes, he did skim Judah's waistband, but the brunt of the impact was to the body, just below his solar plexus. Judah later implied that he had been hit in the balls. Perhaps he should stop tucking them into his waistband then?
Seriously though, whilst it was a low shot, I think Judah is capitalising on this as a convenient excuse. Would you not at least signal to the referee that you'd been hit below the belt when he was in the middle of counting you out? Judah only seemed to protest once he had visited his corner. Fishy.
I suppose it's neither here nor there really - Khan had won every round and was definitely the dominant force. If anything, the stoppage just hurried along the inevitable. Amir Khan has more than proved his worth and if he maintains his form and attitude, then he really could reach some dizzy heights.
Seriously though, whilst it was a low shot, I think Judah is capitalising on this as a convenient excuse. Would you not at least signal to the referee that you'd been hit below the belt when he was in the middle of counting you out? Judah only seemed to protest once he had visited his corner. Fishy.
I suppose it's neither here nor there really - Khan had won every round and was definitely the dominant force. If anything, the stoppage just hurried along the inevitable. Amir Khan has more than proved his worth and if he maintains his form and attitude, then he really could reach some dizzy heights.
The fast(ish) and the Fury-ous
Much like Khan, Tyson Fury's imposing presence gave Dereck Chisora little room to display his jab. This resulted in him spending most of this fight with his guard up, on the ropes. Hardly an ideal position, I'm sure you'll agree.
Up until as late as the 8th, Chisora had been relatively inactive. I expect that his plan was to let Fury punch himself out and then deliver a late KO, as he's done before. Fury was not playing ball though. Instead he was acting up to the crowd and punching his merry way to victory. Chisora got a little livelier towards the end, but Fury's stamina did not allow him to do any lasting damage. The fight went the distance, a rare feat for both contenders, and Fury was awarded the win on points.
Going into the clash, Chisora was 17lbs heavier than in his previous fight. This was clearly too much - he was heavy, slow and lacked attack. No match for a fit Fury. Chisora's stance throughout the fight was low, almost cowering. I assume his intention was to get a jab to the body, instead he gave Fury the scope to throw his fists and swing at his head. Nay wise.
Dereck Chisora's hopes of ever meeting Klitschko in the ring are now lost. To be honest, it's a bit of a relief, The Steelhammer would destroy him and it would not be pleasant. It'll be interesting to follow Tyson Fury over the next few months. This was a comfortable win for him, so I'll be keen to see what happens if and when he ups his game.
Looking forward...
Khan is now set to jump a weight division and unlike our pal Dereck, he's in good hands when it comes to adding the pounds. He's in camp Pacquiao - a fighter famous for dominating 8 different weights, constantly fighting (and winning) outside of his comfort zone. Climbing one division with Alex Ariza in your corner should be a doddle, certainly for Khan anyway. If he goes on to face Mayweather, it will effectively be team Pacquiao vs team Mayweather, and Lord knows, the world's been waiting for that! Like I say people, exciting times.
With regards to our newly crowned British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, well, I guess he'll be the next Brit that the Klitschkos go after. If that happens then I'd like to see Fury, a natural brawler, get his head down and work ons his precision. Klitschko will have a major advantage as far as technique is concerned. So if Fury wants to compete at that level, then he needs to hit the gym. Hard.
All in all, it was a very promising weekend and one which has paved the way for some great fights in the future. So far, the best of British = not so bad.
And finally
Yes, I am obsessed. No, I don't have any shame.
Up until as late as the 8th, Chisora had been relatively inactive. I expect that his plan was to let Fury punch himself out and then deliver a late KO, as he's done before. Fury was not playing ball though. Instead he was acting up to the crowd and punching his merry way to victory. Chisora got a little livelier towards the end, but Fury's stamina did not allow him to do any lasting damage. The fight went the distance, a rare feat for both contenders, and Fury was awarded the win on points.
Going into the clash, Chisora was 17lbs heavier than in his previous fight. This was clearly too much - he was heavy, slow and lacked attack. No match for a fit Fury. Chisora's stance throughout the fight was low, almost cowering. I assume his intention was to get a jab to the body, instead he gave Fury the scope to throw his fists and swing at his head. Nay wise.
Dereck Chisora's hopes of ever meeting Klitschko in the ring are now lost. To be honest, it's a bit of a relief, The Steelhammer would destroy him and it would not be pleasant. It'll be interesting to follow Tyson Fury over the next few months. This was a comfortable win for him, so I'll be keen to see what happens if and when he ups his game.
Looking forward...
Khan is now set to jump a weight division and unlike our pal Dereck, he's in good hands when it comes to adding the pounds. He's in camp Pacquiao - a fighter famous for dominating 8 different weights, constantly fighting (and winning) outside of his comfort zone. Climbing one division with Alex Ariza in your corner should be a doddle, certainly for Khan anyway. If he goes on to face Mayweather, it will effectively be team Pacquiao vs team Mayweather, and Lord knows, the world's been waiting for that! Like I say people, exciting times.
With regards to our newly crowned British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, well, I guess he'll be the next Brit that the Klitschkos go after. If that happens then I'd like to see Fury, a natural brawler, get his head down and work ons his precision. Klitschko will have a major advantage as far as technique is concerned. So if Fury wants to compete at that level, then he needs to hit the gym. Hard.
All in all, it was a very promising weekend and one which has paved the way for some great fights in the future. So far, the best of British = not so bad.
And finally
Yes, I am obsessed. No, I don't have any shame.
1 comment:
Wonderful writing Trisha, Boxing loves you.
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