• Boxing

Khan raging at Judah link to disgraced trainer

ESPN staff
July 22, 2011
Amir Khan is aiming to rip the IBF title from Zab Judah © Getty Images
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Preview: Khan's path to Floyd blocked by reborn Judah

Amir Khan's camp have been rocked by suggestions that disgraced trainer Panama Lewis has been involved in Zab Judah's preparations for the light-welterweight unification clash in Las Vegas this weekend.

Lewis was banned from the sport for life in 1983 after being found guilty of removing padding from the gloves of one of his fighters, Luis Resto, and dipping his hand wraps in plaster of Paris.

The results for Resto's opponent, Billy Collins Jnr, were grave - he suffered horrific facial injuries and never entered the ring again afterwards.

"We've heard this man has been around their camp," said Khan's manager Asif Vali. "We are talking to the Nevada State Athletic Commission to make sure that, if this is true, he is not involved. He has no licence and if he turns up on Saturday he won't be allowed anywhere near the locker room or Judah's corner. We have to protect Amir."

Meanwhile, Khan has abandoned his respectful tone as the bout approaches, claiming 36-year-old Judah only has the stamina to last seven rounds.

"It will be good for me to beat Judah," Khan said. "He's a big name over here who has been in the ring with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Miguel Cotto. Judah makes a lot of traps and I will have to be careful all the way through.

"He is an excellent defensive fighter. He is smart and very experienced, and I can't turn off for a couple of seconds. He's a six or seven-round fighter now. I don't think he will wait too long to pick his moment because he knows that if he does, he will get knocked out.

"Maybe I can finish his career. He has fought these big names but he has lost to most of them. At the really top level he just falls behind. This will be another one where he falls behind.

"Maybe it's in his head that he thinks he can't win these fights. He will be talking a lot because I don't think he can win."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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