AMIR KHAN CLAIMED a second piece of the 140-pound light-welterweight title collection on Saturday, stopping American veteran Zab Judah with a body punch in the fifth round of a scheduled 12-round unification bout.

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,” he insisted.

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, and he stayed there on his knees as referee Vic Drakulich counted him out at 2:47 of the fifth round.

Judah acted as though he was surprised to be counted out, but got up and went to his corner as Khan 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.

“I think my speed overwhelmed him, along with my power,” Khan added. “I thought I was hurting him and it was only a matter of time. We trained hard and I was in the best condition of my life. Zab is a great fighter, but he was a little awkward. I knew he was getting hurt but he kept moving away and ducking.”

According to promoter Richard Schaefer, next up for Khan is another bout at 140 pounds in December – perhaps against the winner of the Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz bout – before moving up to 147 in the Spring. “Then we’ll go and get one of the big boys at 147,” Schaefer added, referring to either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr.

- Reporting from AP