Mexican superstar WBC, and Ring Magazine middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) is in the final stages of his camp as he prepares to take on former two-time world champion Bolton, England's Amir "King" Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) on Saturday, May 7 at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on HBO Pay per view. We spoke to Canelo as he talked to us about his camp and upcoming fight with Khan.
“I feel great there are only a few days left for this fight and I am ready for the day,” Saul “Canelo” Alvarez told Southern California Boxing.com
Canelo wrapped up camp as he trained in San Diego, California working with his longtime trainer Eddie Reynoso and manager/assistant trainer Jose "Chepo" Reynoso as he prepares for Khan. Canelo brought in undefeated welterweights Dusty Harrison Hernandez and Rashidi Ellis to spar to adapt to Khan’s style.
“There is a different style in this fight for each opponent we prepare differently. I trained 100 percent and I am concentrated,” Canelo said.
“I see him very well prepared. He always comes in ready like the young hungry fighter that he is,” Trainer Eddie Reynoso told Southern California Boxing.com “The sparring was great they helped Canelo a lot with Khan’s style. They moved really well in the ring and will prepare him for that style,” Reynoso added.
The 25 year old Canelo is coming off perhaps the biggest win of his career winning a unanimous decision over Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto last November in Las Vegas as he won the WBC middleweight title. In his previous fight he scored a brutal knockout over the hard hitting James Kirkland in front of a sell-out crowd at Houston's Minute Maid Park.
His opponent Khan just had one fight last year, a unanimous decision over former world champion Chris Algieri at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. Prior to that fight he won a unanimous decision over former champion Devon Alexander in December of 2014. Khan seemed to run out of options as he lobbied around for other mega fights when Mayweather and Bradley had chose different opponents until the opportunity against Canelo came.
“I think the first few rounds we will have to adjust to his style but that is what were training for. I have the experience and have faced a lot of styles. We are training for him and are ready,” Canelo said.
“Khan is a very strong, quick, disciplined fighter that works hard. This will be a complicated fight,” Canelo’s trainer Eddie Reynoso told Southern California Boxing.com
Many feel that Khan is biting off more than he can chew moving up to take on the bigger Canelo. However with Canelo’s recent outings against fast handed and quick footed boxers some feel that Khan’s style will give him some difficulty.
“Khan is a tall strong fighter. This will be a tough fight for both I think speed can make things complicated,” Oscar De La Hoya told Fightnews.com
“A fighter like Khan is always complicated he moves his feet well and is in and out with combinations. We have worked hard to make things easier come fight night,” Trainer Eddie Reynoso said. “The key is to be focused and come fight night Saul will give a great fight,” Reynoso added.
If Canelo gets passed Khan, there are talks circulating of a potential showdown between “Canelo” and “GGG” to take place at the home of the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Canelo’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya met with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones recently to discuss the possibility of landing a fight in Dallas.
“To be honest first I am focused 100 percent in this fight and we will see what comes after this,” Canelo said.
“It was pretty exciting meeting with Jerry Jones. We talked business for like 3 hours. He is building a new training facility in Frisco (Texas) and a 12,000 seat arena which I discuss with him of possibly taking some HBO After Dark or Championship Boxing to his new facility,” Oscar De La Hoya told Southern California Boxing.com "We discussed Canelo for a split second. I told him after May 8, I will fly back to Dallas and we can continue our discussion but first things, first, we have Amir Khan on our hands now," De La Hoya added.
Golovkin this past weekend quickly disposed of his mandatory challenger Dominic Wade in two rounds and has expressed interest in fighting with Canelo as Alvarez gave us his take.
“I watched the Golovkin fight like most of us feel his opponent didn’t do much in the ring. I have fought the best in the world and he has not faced the type of opponents that I have faced. Top champions and ex-champions, he has no room to talk,” Canelo added.
The tradition continues to host a major fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend as the new T-Mobile Arena will open its doors for boxing as the Mexican star Canelo will headline against the Englishmen Khan. Canelo talked about opening the new arena and fighting on the Mexican holiday weekend just as Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez headlined the first boxing match at MGM Grand Garden Arena in 1994 and five years later Oscar De La Hoya opened the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
“I am anxious to headline and inaugurate this new arena in which I am sure will host many great fights to come,” Canelo said. “I am very proud to represent my people and my country fighting on this Mexican holiday weekend,” Canelo added.
“It’s right in the heart of Vegas and people are excited to see what it’s all about. We are really proud to have Canelo Khan host the first fight,” De La Hoya said.
Canelo vs. Khan will be a scheduled 12 round championship fight for Canelo’s WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight title.
“I am ready to give it my best come fight night and I am ready to show everyone the best Canelo the have seen,”
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla