Khan impresses with win over Judah

LAS VEGAS -- Amir Khan got another big win, even if he would have liked to do it in a bit more spectacular fashion.

Khan stopped Zab Judah in the fifth round of their scheduled 12-round unification fight Saturday night, winning another piece of the 140-pound title and cementing his claim to being one of the top fighters in the division. He did it with a body shot that landed legally, though Judah claimed it was a low blow.

No matter, said Khan, who was landing big blows even before the punch that put Judah down.

"If it had gone another few rounds, I would have knocked him out with a clean shot," Khan said.

Khan was dominating the fight when he threw a right hand that landed just at the belt line of Judah, who went to the canvas. Judah stayed there on his knees as referee Vic Drakulich counted him out at 2:47 of the fifth round.

Judah (41-7) acted as though he was surprised to be counted out, but got up and went to his corner as Khan (26-1) celebrated with his cornermen. Judah had earlier complained about being butted by Khan and was bleeding from his nose and cuts to his face. "It was a low blow. I was trying to get myself together," Judah said. "That was self-defense right there."

The win was an impressive one for Khan, the former Olympic silver medalist who likes to call himself the best pound-for-pound boxer in England. He came in as a 5-1 favorite, and had no trouble against the southpaw Judah, using his quickness to beat him to the punch in almost every exchange.