Khan finally gets May date in Vegas
- britishboxingblog
- Feb 4, 2016
- 3 min read
It’s been several days since the announcement that Amir “King” Khan will ascend the weight classes to face WBC Middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. It has also taken that long for the news to sink in. We recently expressed our frustration that Brook-Khan was no closer to being made but that has been placated somewhat. Khan has long chased a big name and has now successfully landed arguably the biggest PPV draw in boxing. This does not justify the years he spent chasing Mayweather, and more recently Pacquiao, but it does prove that he was right to believe he could get that mega-fight in the States.
The fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, is set to host this clash on May 7 2016. This is what Khan craved in that elusive Mayweather bout. A career defining clash against one of the biggest names in the sport. Mission accomplished then. Not normally a phrase uttered months prior to a fight, but Amir has already won. Even if Khan gets knocked out early on, his stock does not fall. While the bout is scheduled for a 155lbs catchweight, the WBC middleweight strap, which Alvarez took from Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto (also at a catchweight) will be on the line. Should Khan pull off the unlikely, not unthinkable, and defeat the Mexican he will claim a world title three weight classes above his previous belts. As Alvarez has not actually fought as a fully-fledged 160lber yet, the enforced limit does not actually favour the smaller man here. Khan will weigh eight pounds more than his career high of 147 if he hits the limit, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make weight easily and stay closer to his natural size. A tactic that served Manny Pacquiao well during his rise through the weights.
Before we get onto any potential tactics however, the fact this bout has even been made needs more digestion. Hardcore boxing fans clamoured for Alvarez to face the unofficial Middleweight supremo. Gennady Golovkin has to be one of the most avoided world champions of recent years. This is not some prospect where the risk outweighs the reward. This is a fearsome power puncher where the boxing risk outweighs the financial reward. Neither Cotto, nor his lineal predecessor Sergio Martinez wanted any part of Golovkin. Former WBO champ Peter Quillin didn’t entertain the idea of sharing a ring with him. The list goes on. It is hard to get excited about Canelo facing anyone other than GGG, yet the sheer shock value of “Khanelo” (as I loathe to call it) has given boxing a good shake and got casual fans talking.
There will be many that criticise Canelo for taking on a lighter man with a questionable chin, and deservedly so. Yet he is the one taking the risk on this occasion. Where Khan is in a win-win situation the pressure on Alvarez to do the business has to be immense. Anything other than a knockout victory has to go down as a disappointing result. His recent opponents are as much to blame as he is for pandering to his catchweights but Khan is entirely blameless and deserves full credit for taking on such a physical challenge.
That is where the risk for Khan lies. Boxing is a beautiful yet brutal sport. His speed will play a great part in any success he has. As will his concentration because any slip could lead to his downfall. While the Mexican isn’t known as a knockout artist, he carries enough power to hold stoppage victories over Alfredo Angulo and James Kirkland. Both at higher weights than Khan has ever fought. The elephant in the room with Amir will always remain his chin. It has been since the amateurs, then again when he was dropped by Willie Limond, several times since and will continue to be so until he hangs up his gloves. There is a very real danger here that he will get badly hurt. However, the man is fearless. When we discussed who was avoiding who between him and Kell Brook, not once did we question his guts or bravery.
He may not have got the fight with Floyd but there are similarities. Win, lose or draw in May and the Brook fight will still be on the table. Khan has willingly become the underdog, and for that he must be applauded.
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