Canelo Alvarez vs Miguel Cotto (Photo : Isaac Brekken | Getty Images Sport)
Former junior welterweight world champion Amir "King" Khan (31-3, 19 KO's) is scheduled to face his biggest challenge, literally, in Mexico's Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KO's) in a 12-round middleweight bout at the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Cinco de Mayo weekend and the British boxing star says he's not fazed at all about the apparent size disadvantage.
The 25-year old Alvarez campaigns at middleweight, while Khan is a natural super lightweight competing at welterweight. The difference in size is a real-world number of about 10-20 pounds.
"This fight is about speed and not weight," said Khan, who had won world titles 135, 140 and 147 pounds. "If [Alvarez] gains over a stone after the weigh-in, it will slow him down. It's good for me."
Both Khan and Alvarez were in London recently to promote their bout which takes place Saturday, May 7, a popular date for live boxing events annually.
Experts peg Khan as a significant underdog to Alvarez, and for good reason. Khan has had mixed success since moving up in weight and now, he's heading north up a weight-class to face arguably the best fighter in that division.
Alvarez has enjoyed a stellar career so far, with the only setback being a unanimous decision loss to former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. In his last bout, Alvarez decisioned Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto, who was overpowered and manhandled by Alvarez over twelve rounds.
Needless to say, Khan, whose punch resistance is highly suspect, will have his work cut out for him against Alvarez who is widely considered one of the hardest punchers in the game.
Still, Khan believes his boxing ability and speed will carry him to victory.
"I was fighting in the world championships in Korea when I was 17, the European championships when I had just turned 17 and the Olympic games at 17. I never had it easy," said Khan. "Let's see what happens when we fight."
Alvarez holds the WBC world middleweight title which will be up for grabs despite a catchweight stipulation pegged at 155-lbs. Fans are expected to come in droves to the new T-Mobile Arena and pay-per-view forecast for this bout is looking to do at least 1-million buys.
