By Edward Chaykovsky
Trainer Freddie Roach has been studying tapes of IBF 140-pound champion Zab Judah; in particular the close decision win over Lucas Matthysse, in order to build a proper strategy for his boxer, WBA junior welterweight Amir Khan. On July 23 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Khan (25-1, 17 KOs) and Judah (41-6, 28 KOs) will unify their titles.
One of their keys to victory, says Roach, is to take away Judah's jab.
"The danger is understanding Judah's southpaw stance," said Roach to David Avila of The Press Enterprise. "He doesn't fight like a traditional southpaw. He attacks from the left side. The game plan has been really well done. We had a couple of fights to watch. The Matthysse fight gives us a pretty good blueprint. We're going to have to nullify that jab and take it away from him."
Roach expects Khan to dominate the action and win every round, although he expects Judah to possibly create problems with his defensive abilities.
"I think Amir should win every round. Judah is tricky with his shoulder rolls -- he's a little bit Mayweather and a little bit Pernell Whitaker."
