Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 knockouts) has never been a risk averse boxer. He risked his then-undefeated record against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013, and has consistently taken on stylistically tough matches against foes such as Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout. For Alvarez, a 25-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico, the reason for the risk is clear. ?My whole thing is I want to be a legend,? Alvarez said. ?I want to be a legend, and I train hard so I can do legendary things in boxing.?
To be a legend, Alvarez will eventually have to step in the ring and beat a fighter many consider to be the pound-for-pound best: Gennady Golovkin.
Alvarez?s promoter and the chairman of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya, thinks a showdown between Alvarez and Golovkin is inevitable but that the hype for the mega-bout needs more time to ?marinate.? ?It?s not a question of if, but only of when,? he said.
For the time being, Alvarez will have to settle for a far less risky opponent on Saturday. Alvarez will step into the ring in Las Vegas to defend his 160-pound WBC title against Amir Khan (31-3, 19 knockouts). Although Alvarez is favored to win, Khan is a two-time world champion and silver medalist in the 2004 Olympics.
?If Canelo brings anything less than his ?A? game, he is going to be in trouble,? former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins said. ?Khan?s speed is going to take some getting used to. Canelo is going to have to adjust to it.? Advertisement
Freddie Roach, who trains Manny Pacquiao and has trained Khan, said there are some similarities between the two boxers. ?Amir is athletic, has good boxing skills, and he might be the one guy whose hands are as fast as Manny?s,? Roach said. ENLARGE Boxers Canelo Alvarez, left, and Amir Khan pose for pictures during a news conference in New York. Photo: Seth Wenig/Associated Press
At his best, Khan strikes with lightening packages of destruction, and then uses his legs to wheel out of harm?s way. At his worst, he ignites a combination but then stays in the pocket too long and gets caught out of position.
On two occasions, against Breidis Prescott in 2008, and Danny Garcia in 2012, Khan paid dearly for this tactical mistake, ending up on the receiving end of upending left hooks. Alvarez has one of the best left hooks in the boxing.
?Canelo likes to slip a punch and counter with a straight right, then right uppercut, and left hook,? De La Hoya said. ?It?s a very difficult combination to throw.?
?A fighter usually hits his peak at 27,? De La Hoya said. ?Canelo is only 25! He is just coming into his man strength. He is not as focused on the knockout anymore, so his boxing is better. He is jabbing more, throwing more combinations and his footwork, and ability to cut off the ring are constantly improving.?
Alvarez also holds an advantage because he has a bigger frame. At 29, the 5-foot-8 ? inch Khan has never fought above 147 pounds. In contrast, Alvarez has been exchanging leather north of 150 pounds for years. The combatants will be battling at a catch-weight of 155 pounds instead of the 160 pound middleweight limit on Saturday.
Khan is aware of the challenges that he faces in beating Alvarez. ?I know I am not as strong as Canelo,? he said. ?I know that one mistake with him could get me into trouble.?
The mistake that Khan and his defensive wizard of a trainer, Virgil Hunter, want to avoid, is going toe-to-toe with Alvarez. If Khan is to register an upset, he will have to sting Alvarez and then move or hold.
If Alvarez beats Khan as most experts expect him to do, Golovkin (35-0, 32 knockouts) awaits. After recording his 22nd straight knockout in a second round stoppage of Dominic Wade on April 23, Golovkin said that he didn?t care who won between Alvarez and Khan, ?I just want my belt!?
