Amir Khan Believes Next Fight Vs. Canelo Alvarez Is Ticket To Be Considered One Of Boxing Greats
What are people's expectations regarding Amir Khan's next fight against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez for the WBC Middleweight title?
The British boxer is considered the underdog in this match, but that's just how Khan wants it since he believes the bout with Canelo (41-1, 32 KOs) is his ticket to be considered the best in the sport.
"To move up a weight or two and fight a world champion, someone that everyone is going to say is going to walk through Amir Khan," he told Sky Sports. "I really believe that I have the chance to beat him and by beating someone like Alvarez it will definitely make me one of the best fighters in the world."
Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) is studying the tapes where Alvarez went up against Floyd Mayweather two times without success. But the British boxer also noted the weight factor that gave the retired champion due advantage.
"When Mayweather fought Alvarez he got him down to 152lbs - a weight where he was struggling to make the fight weight - so the weight we are fighting at is giving him a couple of more pounds to feel comfortable," he said.
Amir Khan's next fight against Canelo Alvarez, which will come more than one year since his last, was confirmed two days ago by Golden Boy Promotions CEO and former champ, Oscar De La Hoya.
"We're looking for this event to be a mega event in the new arena," he said, as per report by ESPN. "I've been in contact with [MGM Grand executive] Richard Sturm and we have to work out some details but we hope to have it at the new arena."
For his part, Canelo Alvarez is glad that he was chosen to be Amir Khan's next fight as he promised to give fans what they deserve in terms of action on top of the canvass.
"As the middleweight champion of the world, I will take on the best fighters in the sport and on Cinco De Mayo weekend, I look forward to making the first defense of my titles," the Mexican boxer said, as reported by Yahoo!.
"Amir was a decorated amateur, a two-time world champion and is in the prime of his career," he continued. "Fans are in for a great fight."
Amir Khan's next fight against Canelo Alvarez for the WBC Middleweight title is scheduled on May 7.