Khan, Judah exchange verbal jabs via Twitter
Not long ago, a fighter’s avenues for promoting a bout were limited to doing television, radio and print interviews and having a news conference or two.
Junior welterweight champions Amir Khan and Zab Judah have been taking advantage of the social media craze by verbally sparring everyday on Twitter, stoking animosity between them and interest in their July 23 showdown at Mandalay Bay.
“The interest is huge nowadays,” Khan said of using Twitter. “It’s helped me build my fan base in America, and it’s an effective way to generate interest in the fight.”
The fight’s official promotion began Wednesday in Los Angeles, and Khan (25-1, 17 knockouts) and Judah (41-6, 28 KOs) gave their fingers a break to talk up the bout.
“We all know Zab’s an awkward, tricky southpaw who has won many world titles,” WBA champion Khan said. “But I don’t think this is his time. He doesn’t have the hunger that I do. But we don’t want to make any mistakes, so I’m training very hard and making sure I follow the game plan all the way through.”
IBF champion Judah, 33, said he’s eager to add Khan, 24, to his hit list.
“Amir’s an assassin with speed and power,” Judah said. “But I’ve been where he’s been, and he’s going to have to do it in the lights. I’ve beaten a guy from Argentina, a guy from Africa, and now I’m going to beat a guy from the U.K. I’m an international assassin.”
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, whose company promotes Khan, said fighting Judah, a Las Vegas resident, is a risky move.
“We know this is a dangerous fight,” Schaefer said. “It’s probably the most dangerous fight of Amir’s career. But that’s what makes Amir Amir. He never backs away from a challenge.”
Khan is fighting in Las Vegas for only the second time.
The Brit’s win over hard-hitting Marcos Maidana on Dec. 11 at Mandalay Bay was voted Fight of the Year. Khan survived several big shots in the 10th round and won a narrow 12-round decision.
“I learned a lot about myself that night,” Khan said. “I proved I was a warrior and that I had a good chin. That will help my confidence against Zab Judah, no question.”
Said Schaefer: “In one night, he went from being the guy with no chin to having one that’s the best in the business in his fight with Maidana.”
Khan’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said their fight preparation is ahead of schedule.
“Zab’s been around awhile,” Roach said. “He’s a very slick southpaw, but we’re working on it every day.”
Tickets, priced from $50 to $400, will go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and at ticketmaster.com.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.