Everyone, it seems, has an opinion on what will happen on May 7th, when superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will face British star Amir Khan. Some “experts” have criticised the fight, saying Khan – who will be giving up perhaps as much as 20-pounds or a little more when the two climb into the ring on fight night – has next to no chance. Others have applauded Khan’s decision to take on the middleweight champion in a 155-pound catch-weight affair, and some, including fellow Brits Carl Froch and Tyson Fury, give Khan and his amazing speed a genuine shot at winning.
But what does “King” Khan say about the upcoming, gamble of a fight? How does the 29-year-old, former 140-pound champion think he will get the win in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend?
“I don’t think I can out-power Canelo,” Khan told BBC Sport. “The only way I can beat him is my speed, skill and my techniques. I think it’s a 50-50 fight. At first, I thought he was too big for me, but when I studied a few tapes, I thought: ‘you know what, I’ve got a good chance of beating him.’ I’m going to the lion’s den. If I beat him, it will be one of the biggest upsets in boxing. I’ve fought in Las Vegas three times, but normally I’m top of the bill. This time I’m the underdog. That will push me on even more.”
There is no doubt Khan is much quicker and faster than Alvarez and perhaps, if the two men tipped in at the same poundage, fans would be a whole lot more willing to give Khan a great chance of winning. The big factor in this fight, as everyone has pointed out a number of times, is weight: can Khan possibly overcome a 20 to 25-pound weight disadvantage? Canelo entered the ring for his last fight, a wide points win (many felt should have been far closer on the score-cards) over Miguel Cotto, at a whopping 175-pounds! Can Khan, a welterweight moving up – who may weigh around 160 to 165-pounds on fight night – defeat what will basically amount to a light-heavyweight!
This is indeed the ultimate gamble for Khan, and some, such as Irish legend Barry McGuigan, have expressed concern, hoping that Khan will not live to regret his “ballsy” move. Oscar De La Hoya, when speaking on the fight with USA Today, said “Khan has been known to have a little chin problem,” and that “Canelo has been known to have a little speed problem,” as in the Mexican slugger has had trouble when facing fighters who have good speed of hand and foot. Khan has more speed than anyone Canelo has ever previously faced, faster hands than even the sublime Floyd Mayweather Junior. Add up the shortcomings of both fighters and it makes “the perfect fight,” De La Hoya said.
Speed kills is a phrase often used in boxing. Amir Khan will be hoping it will apply in his date with destiny in May.
