Khan vs Alvarez: Dance With El Diablo Rojo

Raphael Haynes
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[author image=”https://www.the3pointconversion.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2015-01-21-12.32.22-1-e1454992109579.jpg” ]Ryan Foley,  [/author]

 

 

 

As the years pass by, Amir Khan’s (31-3, 19 KO) relevance to the future of boxing is slowly dwindling as he fails to secure title bouts with lucrative Pay-Per-View (PPV) payouts until now. After playing the waiting game for fights guaranteeing huge pay-days from the likes of the PPV king and arguably the greatest boxer of all-time, Floyd “Money” Mayweather and the Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao, Khan is now forced to face a tough WBC Middleweight Champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (46-1-1 32 KO) on May 5th live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas! “As the middleweight champion of the world, I will take on the best fighters in the sport and on Cinco De Mayo weekend, I look forward to making the first defense of my titles,” said Canelo Alvarez. “Amir was a decorated amateur, a two-time world champion and is in the prime of his career. Fans are in for a great fight on May 7.”

This fight is evidence that Khan has lost his chance at a big pay-day by not staying up-to-date with relevant fighters and having poor negotiating promoters. As humble, and what some would say less-talented, British fighters stay busy, snatching up title after title, sissy Khan choose to sit by and wait. Now fans will be waiting to see what round he gets his chin checked in. A welterweight with his lack of power will stand no chance against a potential phenom coming into his prime. Since losing a majority decision to Mayweather in September 2013, Canelo has gained superstardom within both the Mexican and international boxing communities. He is expected to dominate the convenient Cinco-De-Mayo PPV date for years to come. Following the loss to Mayweather, Alvarez regrouped and showed fans his talent with convincing wins over Alfredo Angulo, Erislandy Laura, James Kirkland, and most notably future HOF fighter Miguel Cotto.

Talent and opponents aside, a fight fan can look at this match-up fairly easily. It’s a middleweight champion that can rehydrate and enter the ring potentially near super-middleweight against a rarely seen welterweight making his first fight at the catch-weight of 155lbs. Khan has yet to produce a knockout since facing a washed-up Zab Judah in July of 2011. The “Khan Army” of fans will be in for an awakening of the overhyped disappointment of Khan ever since his promising showing and winning the 2004 silver medal in Athens and brief stints as a catch-weight belt holder for the WBA/IBF Super Lightweight titles. “I know Canelo fights the best and wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to face me like others have,” said Khan. “My goal is to always fight the biggest names and the best fighters that is why I’m excited for this fight. Also, I would like to thank my team and Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity. I know I have the speed and ability to beat him and will give my fans what they deserve on May 7.”

A decade is a long time to cherry-pick fights and have protection from promoters; that all ends one combination at-a-time when Khan is faced with undoubtedly the most skilled, powerful fighter of his career. All promotion aside, you do not play boxing. Alvarez could hurt Khan to the point that the next article may begin with “thoughts and prayers to Amir Khan for a speedy recovery…”

 

 

Raphael Haynes

Atlanta, GA

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