WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico and former two-time world champion Bolton, England’s Amir "King" Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) wrapped up their press conference tour Wednesday evening at the Universal City Walk in Universal City, California for their May 7 showdown at new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on HBO Pay per View.
The Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya opened up the press conference welcoming the pro Canelo, L.A. crowd.
"It is not often that two superstars of a sport face off at the peak of their careers. This is such an event, with two of the biggest international fighters fighting at the biggest arena in the world," De La Hoya said in opening the press conference. "Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan is a classic case of speed vs. power. Amir has tremendous boxing skill, while Canelo brings thunderous combinations, tremendous power, and solid defense. This will be a mega fight," De La Hoya added.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman talked about the tour and match-up.
"Two days ago, we were in London where boxing was born 300 years ago. Last night we were in New York, which has been called the Mecca of boxing. Now we are in LA, the boxing capital of the world," Sulaiman said. "I am very proud to see two grown models, Canelo and Amir Khan. They show what boxing is all about. I just want to finish wishing the best of luck to the fighters. And long live boxing!" Sulaiman added.
HBO's Tony Walker was also present representing the Pay per View distributor.
"We would like to thank Amir Khan back to HBO. He has his own visions of who might win. You may hear a lot about speed vs. power but we think it is a bit different-it's about the fans and how these fighters connect with them," Tony Walker said.
The fighters and their camps had their final words to say.
"I am not going to talk much," Canelo said. "I am going to prepare like always, 100 percent. Amir khan is a difficult opponent. I am ready for this and much more. We'll see you May 7," Canelo added.
"We are used to working hard that is why Canelo has conquered so many things, because he words hard," His manager Jose "Chepo" Reynoso said. "Whoever can't make it live in Las Vegas for this fight on May 7, I am going to recommend something. On May 7, go buy some carne for barbeque. After that, go get some cold Tecates. Go buy Tequila Casa Mexico. And after you buy that, Canelo is going to give you a great victory. Viva Mexico!"Chepo” Reynoso chanted.
"We are inspired for 2016; it's going to be even better than 2015. We want to fight against the best. On May 7, we fight Amir Khan. He is a very good fighter-a great fighter with technical skill. We are going to prepare well so we can win this fight. After this fight, we will fight anyone. We always fight the best, and we'll fight anyone." Canelo’s trainer Eddie Reynoso said.
Khan's Team
"This is the biggest fight of my career. Canelo is physically very strong, and come fight night, I will be ready and coming in very happy and very strong. It will be like a game of chess. Canelo is very strong. I have a very good trainer who will tell me the right game plan. We will go in to win this fight, and I will prove people wrong. Even though it is Cinco de Mayo, the British fans will come out. In Vegas, there will be more British flags then Mexican flags," Amir Khan said. "Come May 7, everyone will enjoy this fight and the middleweight title is coming back with me to Great Britain," Khan added.
"I would like to thank everybody. This fight was so easy to arrange, unlike with Mayweather or Paciaquo. In the end, they just didn't want to fight. I want to thank everyone," Khan’s father and manager Shah Khan said. "Amir will fight anyone. Canelo was the best to fight after Mayweather because he is now the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and Amir really wanted to fight him. Come May you will all see fireworks, everyone will enjoy this come May 7," Mr. Khan added.
"Thank you to everyone for coming out and bringing boxing to the next level,"Trainer Virgil Hunter said.
This concluded the three city press tour as it kicked off Sunday in London at the Park Plaza Riverbank London Hotel and resumed Tuesday at The Hard Rock Café in New York City , as it made its final stop in Los Angeles. The Mexican superstar “Canelo” Alvarez is coming off a unanimous decision over Puerto Rico ’s Miguel Cotto last November in winning the lineal WBC middleweight title. Khan won a unanimous decision over Chris Algieri in May. Canelo vs. Khan will be a scheduled 12 round championship fight for Canelo’s WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight title.
"We are focused and training 100 percent for Khan's style. A very fast and elusive style that can be complicated but we will be ready. I have fought every style and I plan to be ready," Canelo told Southern California Boxing.com "I am very happy and proud to have the opportunity to open up this new arena which will definitely host many great fights in the years to come. I will make history by being part of the first boxing fight there. I plan on giving a good fight also being that it's Cinco de Mayo weekend" Canelo added.
"I am really looking forward to this fight. It is a very good fight for me, stylistically it makes sense, a boxer versus a fighter. I really believe that in the top 5, Pound for Pound, you have to put Canelo in there. For me to beat him and do really well in this fight, it will put me up there at the top," Khan told Southern California Boxing.com "A lot of people think Amir is taking too much of a bite, but I am going into this fight as the underdog, that is motivation for me. We have a plan, if I stick to that plan I will be the winner," Khan added.
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