Bolton-born Khan is going toe-to-toe with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Saturday in what will be the first major bout at the T-Mobile Arena, which is part of the MGM group.
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The undefeated Ward is a contender to be the world’s finest pound-for-pound fighter in the absence of the retired Floyd Mayweather.
The fighter, age 30, believes Hunter gives him a new edge, one he didn’t have before under the tutelage of former trainer Freddie Roach. The rumored haul for Khan is upwards of $14 million dollars for the fight so in some respects, Khan already has what he came for. As a result, the holy holiday puts a hamper on Khan fighting in September because it wouldn’t give Amir enough time to prepare for a fight of that significance. The announcement of the fight a few months ago was swift and somewhat shocking, but this is what we have coming this Saturday night, May 7.
Khan said Alvarez “is probably not going to feel” the full impact of his punches, “but what wins this fight is skill”.
Alvarez, Mexico’s world middleweight champion said: ‘The things he says do hurt and offend. “I’ve done some great work for this camp and will be ready to go as soon as the bel rights to start the fight”, he said. In most people’s eyes I’m seen as the underdog for this fight but I know deep down that I can win it.
The news of Amir Khan’s decision to take on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was met with widespread shock due to the weight disparity between them. “He had to have been told ‘no, don’t do that (in fighting Alvarez)’, right?”
Alvarez insists he has prepared for the best Khan can bring and the outcome will not just be decided by his power – or the Englishman’s speed.
Juan Manuel Marquez – Four fights with Manny Pacquiao, a contest with Floyd Mayweather, plus other greats of the era, he was a thrilling Mexican fighter who won seven world titles and is one of only three Mexicans to win world crowns in four weight classes. “I wouldn’t let anyone get close to me”, he said.
Khan is a heavy underdog against his 25-year-old opponent, whose only defeat was by American legend Mayweather in 2013.
Add to the mix the question marks over Khan’s ability to step up two weight divisions and having been out of the ring for a year, will he cope with a fighter that is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the sport?
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“Kell Brook would be a big fight in the United Kingdom but he definitely needs to fight a few bigger names”, said Khan, who expects Alvarez to have a 10lb weight advantage on him come fight night.
