Canlo Alvarez-the WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion-will try to defend his title against Amir Khan, the former two-time world champion, on May 7 in Las Vegas. Behind the scenes, Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya and president Eric Gomez were able to make the fight without dealing directly with Haymon, against whom Golden Boy has a $300 million anti-trust lawsuit pending. Alvarez, 46-1-1, has won four straight since being outpointed by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September of 2013.
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Khan made the announcement Tuesday morning via his official Twitter account.
The bout will be contested at a catchweight of 155 pounds, the same weight Canelo fought Miguel Cotto at in November when he won the title.
“My goal is to always fight the biggest names and the best fighters that is why I’m excited for this fight”.
Golovkin has the mandatory title shot, but the two camps agreed that each fighter will have one fight in the spring prior to a meeting between the two heavy-handed middleweights in the fall. “Fans are in for a great fight on May 7”, he added. Prior to the Cotto win, Canelo scored 2015’s Knockout of the Year over James Kirkland at Houston’s Minute Maid Park, one week after Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. That said, he has an enormous following on the other side of the Atlantic and should bring a big audience to the fight.
“I know I have the speed and ability to beat him and will give my fans what they deserve”.
Amir Khan is donating the shorts he wore in victory over Devon Alexander to the Peshawar school. He was pushed to the limit against Erislandy Lara in July 2014 before rebounding in his last two bouts.
Shah Khan, the boxer’s father and manager, said his son was relishing the challenge of taking on Alvarez and insisted stepping up to 155lbs from the welterweight mark of 147lbs would not present an issue.
PBC has staged more than 50 cards since on NBC, CBS, ESPN and Fox and some cable networks since its March debut, including Khan’s victory over former 140-pound champion Chris Algieri in May.
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“We all thought that Amir Khan and Kell Brook would maybe get it on at Wembley Stadium on June 4”.
