Amir Khan Takes Swipe at Canelo Alvarez' Punching Power
Bolton fighter Amir Khan is considered the underdog against WBC middleweight champion Canelo "Saul" Alvarez, mainly because of size and weight disparity. However, after reviewing tapes of Alvarez’ last fights, Khan is now questioning whether the Mexican can really unload packed punches.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, Khan brought out in the open his observations.
“He hit Mayweather. Miguel Cotto, he hit him with clean shots. So I’m thinking, is he really this dangerous, devastating puncher that I should be scared of?” said Khan via Boxing Scene.
Khan finds himself a 5-1 underdog against Alvarez, something that was reportedly a result of the Briton getting knocked out once in the lightweight class and then in the junior welterweight division.
Nevertheless, Khan reveals to BBC that the underdog tag is something that he will use as a motivation. As he has been constantly emphasizing, he still believes that his speed will be his asset and plans to use it against the Mexican brawler.
The issue on his speed will however be up for debate. The fact is, Khan will be moving up to two weight classes. This means that he will enter the T-Mobile Arena this May 7 heavier, which may affect his agility. Regardless, Khan is brimming with confidence as he and Alvarez have similar physical traits such as height and reach, per the Daily Mail.
Aside from that, he ups the stakes a bit by refusing the rehydration clause. If that is in play, it will prevent Alvarez from putting on an additional 10 lbs. after the weigh-ins, which are done a day before the match.
Khan reasons out that he wants everything to be done as naturally as possible and minimize room for excuses such as the rehydration weight angle.
Ironically, Khan has also been criticized for his punching power in the past, via a separate report from Boxing Scene. It was one of the things that took him out for a possible match with Manny Pacquiao plus the fact that his chin is also put into question, per Fight Saga.
Against Alvarez, Khan may have a point, but he may be forgetting that he is facing an opponent who is pretty much comfortable at the 155-lb weight class. Aside from that, he may also be forgetting that he is entering a bigger class, where punches may not be as "hard" as they seem to be.
Regardless, Khan has never been known to back down. Everything will become a reality when the two boxers face off at Cinco de Mayo weekend.
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