Canelo vs Khan Bigger Than Mayweather vs Pacquiao?
Of course not! I was just amusing myself with that headline. But, if you ask Amir Khan, his upcoming May 7th clash with Canelo Alvarez is even bigger. Like, huge.
“I believe this fight between Canelo and I is getting more attention than a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight,” Khan recently said in The Ring’s Q&A. “The hype for this fight has just been unexpected. No one knew of this fight taking place or of any negotiations taking place.
“When the fight was announced, no one knew how react to this fight or to even believe it was happening. People around the boxing world are saying Amir Khan has some balls going up in weight. It’s nice to catch fans by surprise with a fight of this magnitude.”
While it’s unlikely to eclipse the interest of Mayweather vs Pacquiao, Khan is right about his May encounter causing a stir in the boxing fandom. I for one was blown away when I heard of the news. Sure, Khan will be receiving a hefty payday for his efforts, but it requires a couple of big things to step into the ring with a ferocious fighter in his prime like Canelo. And yes, I’m talking about balls.
Khan went on to say the usual spiel about how he’s willing to face anyone in the world, and that Mayweather and Pacquiao were afraid of his abilities. Oh, and Khan slammed Kell Brook and promoter Eddie Hearn for the collapse of their on-off British mega-fight. Shocker.
Whatever happens, Canelo vs Khan should provide plenty of excitement – no matter how short-lived the contest may actually be.
Kell Brook Willing to Hang Around for Amir Khan
If you can stomach to hear anymore on the subject of Brook vs Khan, then this one’s for you. Kell Brook may be deeply disappointed at the news of Amir Khan deciding to face Canelo Alvarez on May 7th, but still says he’d be interested in facing his British rival. Brook, who will defend his IBF Welterweight title against Kevin Bizier on March 26th, recently chatted to Sky Sports.
“I’m gutted for all the fans,” Brook said. “We all thought we were going to make the fight this time and we were very close to getting a deal done, but he’s jumped up a few weight divisions to fight Canelo – in a fight I don’t think he can win.”
“I wish him all the best for this fight. It’s a dream fight because Canelo is up there as one of the best in the boxing world, so let’s see what he can do with him.”
For what it’s worth, the Brook vs Khan affair looks to be in deeper peril than ever before given Khan will be taking on a formidable challenge in Canelo in his 155-pound (Middleweight?) debut. Now, unless Khan pulls off a shocking upset, would a Brook affair still be as desirable post fight?
WBC President Defends Canelo vs Khan
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has assured any naysayers out there that the organisation’s esteemed Middleweight crown is rightly on the line despite a 155-pound catch-weight in place. Look, all this catch-weight and world title business is all kinda boring – to be, at least – but I have to report it, nonetheless…
“The fight is for the WBC middleweight championship and if there is any weight agreement, such is a private contract between the fighters,” Sulaiman told World Boxing News. “The division limit is 160, so any weight lower than that is considered as official and within the rules.”
Well, that’s cleared all that up. The WBC is happy to collect sanctioning fees from both fighters as long as they weigh inside 160 pounds, since ‘technically’ it’s not an infraction of the rules – never mind that it undermines what it means to be an actual ‘Middleweight’ champion.
Furthermore, is it fair that legitimate 160-pounders will have to shed five pounds to challenge for Canelo’s Middleweight title in future fights? Is it fair that 160 goliath Gennady Golovkin can’t prove his supremacy unless he bows down to Canelo’s catch-weight diva demands?
Ah, forget it. I’m bored with the whole thing already. You?
