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Zab Judah was outboxed from the first moment. As with all of his big fights and big opportunities, Judah was outmatched, not good enough. He was never dominated like last night though. Amir Khan, 24, showed who is the better fighter for four and a half rounds. He knocked out Judah with a border line cheap shot to the waste line (or below) in the fifth, and it was all over. Khan unified the Light Welterweight belts (WBA Super, IBF) and has now set his sights on Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The replays eventually showed it was a clean hit, a good strong uppercut to the body that took everything out from the winded Judah. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 33 year old, suffering his 7th career defeat, will retire very soon. He can still beat the small fish, but whenever there’s more glory and difficulty, Judah doesn’t have what it takes.

Judah was weak on excuses after the fight as well – “Cheap shot, below the belt, I thought he was counting for me to recover…“, I don’t think anyone bought it. Khan kept him away in the first, bloodies his nose and pummeled the weary body for four rounds. Everything Khan did with his superior speed and power led up to the knockout, his 18th KO in 26 wins.

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But what now for the 140 pound champion? Well, he’d love to unify all the belts, fighting Timothy Bradley (27 wins, 1 NC). Problem is, Bradley isn’t an easy man to strike a deal with. The WBC and WBO belts might have to wait for Khan. The more likely opponents are Robert Guerrero (29-1-1-2) or veteran Erik Morales (51-7). In a division with plenty of depth and quality opponents, Khan, only 24, has a great opportunity to make his name as more than just a talented fighter. Stuff of legends? Maybe.

Khan has what are probably the fastest hands in the division, and packs quite a punch, although not the biggest hitter (Marco Maidana is probably the man). His chin is still questionable, but if he’s too good to let anyone hit him (except for his one loss nearly 3 years ago), then it’s not that big of an issue. If Khan wants to really cement his legacy very early on, he will have to beat Mayweather sometime in 2012. If Floyd doesn’t dodge him like Bradley is/has, Khan will get his shot at the troubled former champion, after Ortiz and probably Pacquiao get their turns first.