British star Amir Khan always believed that he would get the chance of a legacy fight, despite setbacks in his pursuit of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
The two-time world champion has told BoxNation that he has always been convinced of landing a superfight ahead of his eagerly anticipated showdown with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez next Saturday night.
The pair are set to do battle at the newly built T-Mobile Arena for the lineal middleweight world title, with Khan revealing that he was certain that he would eventually get the opportunity to shine on the biggest of stages.
“I always believed that I would get the opportunity to prove myself in a historic fight, even after the disappointment of not getting Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao,” said Khan.
“I felt that an opportunity would present itself and that always kept me going and moving forward. That time has come now with Canelo and I can look to create my own legacy and take on someone who is one of the very best out there,” Khan told BoxNation.
29-year-old Khan, a welterweight who will be moving up two weight divisions to take on the formidable Canelo believes that this fight will be harder than against either Mayweather or Pacquiao.
“This is a tougher fight than against a Mayweather or Pacquiao because of the size difference but I love that sort of challenge – it’s why I’m in boxing,” he said.
“I’m going in there to give everything and to prove that this is where I belong. I’ve done some great work for this camp and will be ready to go as soon as the bell rings to start the fight.
“Canelo is a great champion, in his prime, very skilled and I will need to be at my very best to beat him. In most people’s eyes I’m seen as the underdog for this fight but I know deep down that I can win it. I’m ready to go and prove myself on this stage,” Khan said.
The fight will take place on the Mexican holiday weekend of Cinco de Mayo in which there is expected to be a large turnout of Canelo fans.
Khan, however, is undaunted at the prospect of entering into the lion’s den and expects the sizeable contingent of British fans making the trip to be just as boisterous.
“British fans are the best around,” said Khan. “They can out-sing anyone so I’m sure they’ll make their voices heard on fight night. It doesn’t worry me how many fans he has in the arena because I know there are a lot of fans travelling from Britain and their support will be incredible.
“It’s going to give me an extra boost hearing them and seeing them waving their flags. I want to do this for the UK and keep British boxing on the high we’ve been experiencing of late,” he said.
Khan v Canelo is exclusively live on BoxNation (Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/Online & App) next Saturday night. Go to boxnation.com to subscribe.
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BoxNation have secured the exclusive UK live TV rights for the biggest fight of the year between boxing superstars Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan on Saturday 7th May at the new state-of-the-art T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In a stunning acquisition, The Channel of Champions will screen the sensational showdown that pits Canelo Alvarez, the WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion, against British superstar and former two-time world champion Amir Khan in an explosive blockbuster battle.
BoxNation, who in the first four months of this year will have shown five of the ten best pound-for-pound fighters in the world in Sergey Kovalev, Andre Ward, Terence Crawford and Gennady Golovkin exclusively live, delivers to its subscribers and British fight fans the mega-fight of the year.
The scene is set for the fistic extravaganza at the brand new, state-of-the-art, 20,000 seat arena on the famous Cinco De Mayo, Mexican holiday, weekend with thousands of fans descending into the big fight city.
Mexican great Canelo, the former unified WBC and WBA World Super-Welterweight Champion, has captivated fans around the world with his all-action brand of fighting and desire to face the toughest challenges.
With an outstanding record of 46 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 32 KO’s, his sole loss came against then pound-for-pound great Floyd Mayweather Jr. on points, but has since gone on to lay claim to be boxing’s biggest draw and one of the best and most recognized fighters in the sport.
Canelo makes the first defense of his WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championship crown – that he won against Puerto Rican rival Miguel Cotto last November – at the catchweight of 155lbs, but now must match his power and ferocious combination punching against Khan’s lightning fast and power-packed fists.
For British ace Khan, 31 wins, 3 losses and 19 KO’s, he faces the biggest challenge of his life when he steps up in weight to take on Canelo in a truly career defining fight.
The Bolton fighter has faced insurmountable odds in the past when as a 17-year-old at the 2004 Athens Olympics he mesmerised the nation as he battled his way to a silver medal.
As a professional he’s marked himself out as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport with his electrifying performances. Khan’s won his last five fights in a row following a loss to unified super lightweight world champion Danny Garcia, including exciting wins over former world champion Luis Collazo, former three-time world champion Devon Alexander and heads into the May 7 mega-fight with a victory over former world champion Chris Algieri last time out in May 2015.
“I’m delighted and proud that the biggest fight of the year between Khan and Canelo will be broadcast exclusively live in the UK on BoxNation,” said Frank Warren, Chairman of BoxNation. “We’ve had a tremendous year so far with five out of the top ten world’s best fighters all showcasing their talents on the Channel Of Champions and now the fantastic addition of Canelo vs. Khan. The fight has caught the imagination of the public because Khan is taking a huge risk by moving up a couple of weight divisions to face one of the most fearsome fighters in the world in Canelo. It’s a fascinating clash that has got the public, trade and media all split. Can Amir overcome the odds and use his fast feet and hands to overcome the raw aggression and power of Canelo? UK fight fans will be able to find out only on BoxNation.”
“BoxNation is a great broadcast partner to carry the Canelo-Khan mega fight in the UK,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Canelo-Khan is an international fight, with Mexico’s biggest star fighter facing Britain’s biggest star fighter, so I am pleased British audiences will have the opportunity to catch the action on BoxNation.”
“Amir Khan and I are two warriors and I am very pleased that such an important network like BoxNation will be broadcasting our fight in the UK,” said Canelo Alvarez. “This demonstrates the tremendous interest that exists in this mega-fight on May 7, and will remind everyone that the fans are the ones who will be victorious because we will deliver an exciting fight.”
“The fight against Canelo is the biggest challenge of my career and having the support of my fans back home, watching live on BoxNation, is going to help inspire me to victory,” said Amir Khan. “This fight is going to have it all – speed, power, skill – and I’m going to give everything to make sure that it’s my hand that is raised come the end of the night. It’s not going to be easy but I’m going to do British boxing proud.”
