Golden Boy promotion just announced Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez’s next fight on HBO Pay Per View. It’s against the great British boxer Amir Khan on May 7. A Canelo fight usually comes with some guarantee of excitement, and this one should be no different.
The problem with this match, however, and the reason Canelo is going to get shit from fans and the boxing world in general, is that Khan’s biggest career problem has been his weak chin – and that he’s a full division lighter than Canelo, making this fight somewhat questionable.
Amir Khan has never fought at Super Welterweight (154 pounds), a weight class Canelo struggles to reach. Khan, in fact, has only fought three times in Welterweight (147 pound limit), as his most notable fights have been at Super Lightweight (140 pounds).
Khan doesn’t seem to mind. “I know Canelo fights the best and wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to face me like others have,” he said after the announcement.
“My goal is to always fight the biggest names and the best fighters. That is why I’m excited for this fight. Also, I would like to thank my team and Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity. I know I have the speed and ability to beat him and will give my fans what they deserve on May 7.”
Canelo also believes the British boxer is a deserving opponent. “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,” said Álvarez. “Amir was a decorated amateur, a two-time world champion and is in the prime of his career. Fans are in for a great fight on May 7.”
It is obvious that both fighters are really happy, given that both of them will be making a lot of money. Khan is an Olympic Silver medalist and one – if not the – most popular British boxer. Another reason for celebration is that Canelo is taking over the Cinco de Mayo boxing date, which Floyd Mayweather, Jr. dominated for so many years.
The fight will undoubtedly be an exciting one, but Canelo will most likely come out triumphant. A loss would be a tremendous let down and bump in his career. While it’s always entertaining to see Canelo face off in the ring, hopefully he’ll finally take on the fighter everyone wants to see him battle this year: Gennady Golovkin.