The fight will be Canelo Alvarez’s first title defense of his lineal and WBC middleweight titles and Amir Khan’s first fight at middleweight after moving up from light welterweight to face Alvarez at the catch weight of 155 pounds.
Alvarez has fought his last four bouts at 155 and is deemed comfortable at that weight while Khan is a newcomer in the division.
The fight caught everyone by surprise as boxing fans know that Khan’s adviser Al Haymon and Canelo’s promoter Oscar de la Hoya are embroiled in a multi-million dollar anti-trust lawsuit filed in court by the De la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
Khan has been inactive since his unanimous decision win against Chris Algieri in May 2015. After the Algieri fight, the British Olympic silver medalist has been pursuing a lucrative fight against Floyd Mayweather but he was junked twice in favor of Marcos Maidana. Read more
Despite the overwhelming odds favoring Alvarez, the 28-year-old British boxing star said he will emerge victorious over Alvarez because of his skill, speed and determination to win.
“What will win this fight is speed; determination and skill. My dream has always been to fight the best and test myself and in Canelo I’m facing just that,” said Khan in his ongoing press tour in England with Alvarez,
Khan said he has reviewed Alvarez’s past fight records against mobile fighters and found out that the Mexican fighter had difficulty with guys that move well in the ring.
“I’m very big at my weight [147lb], he’s not a big middleweight [160lb], but nobody will know when I get into the ring with him how I will do. I’ve seen his fights and guys who move well give him big problems. If I was a flat‑footed fighter and just standing there, that would be the worst style for me [to employ]. Because I’m a mover, I think it’s one of the best fights out there for me,” Khan said.
Khan has been fighting as a betting favorite but this time he will take the role of an underdog.
“For the first time I’m fighting someone who is heavier and also a bigger name, but that will bring the best out in me,” said Khan.
A convincing win by Khan could set him up with Gennady Golovkin for what appears to be the most lucrative fight of his career.
