welterweight champion Amir Khan is a superior boxer at 24 than Filipino Manny Pacquiao was at the same age, according to trainer Freddie Roach who works with both fighters. Khan, like Pacquiao, is a southpaw renowned for his speed and hard work ethic and Roach firmly believes he will emulate the Filipino by becoming the sport's best pound-for-pound fighter within the next two years. “Amir is little bit more ahead of Manny,” the bespectacled Roach said at his Wild Card Boxing Club Tuesday. “It took Manny Pacquiao eight years to get to the point where he became unbeatable and he has dominated every fight. “Amir has been with me for just three years now and he's getting closer and closer. “He will become the pound-for-pound king within a couple of years. He is well ahead of schedule and a big win here against Zab (Judah) would be another step towards Manny's record.” Khan, who has a career record of 25-1 with 17 knockouts, is scheduled to take on experienced American IBF holder Zab Judah in a unification fight in Las Vegas on July 23. While the 33-year-old Judah is a highly respected figure in boxing, Roach is confident Khan will triumph in style at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – and probably inside the 12 scheduled rounds. “Zab will need to be at his best to survive in this one,” said Roach, who has worked with 31 world champions in his Wild Card gym on the outskirts of downtown Los Angeles.
