Golden Boy Promotions announced today that 25-year-old Mexican superstar and WBC, Ring Magazine and lineal Middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) will make his first title defense of 2016 against 29-year-old former WBA and IBF Light Welterweight champion, Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs).
The fight announcment seemed to come out of left field and the reaction on Twitter was initially one of confusion.
Golovkin be like…#CaneloKhan pic.twitter.com/TdBJCtQ8sy
— Boxing Memes (@Boxing_Memes) February 2, 2016
Many fans have been beating the drum for a Canelo versus Gennady Golovkin bout, but this doesn’t seem to be setting the young Mexican up for a potential clash with the hard-hitting Kazakh in September. Khan, who is a smaller opponent, will be moving up to 155 pounds to try and win a title in his third division.
Delighted to announce i will be fighting @Canelo May 7th Cinco De Mayo, Las Vegas for the 155lbs @WBCBoxing title! 👊🏽 🇬🇧 🇲🇽 💥 — Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) February 2, 2016
Golden Boy Promotions will exclusively promote the fight, with Khan returning to his former home at Golden Boy Promotions for the showdown.
“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.”
“I know Canelo fights the best and wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to face me like others have,” said Amir 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.”
“We are committed to putting on the biggest and best fights in boxing,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO, Oscar De La Hoya.
Oscar De La Hoya tells me he'll meet soon with @MGMResortsIntl Richard Sturm to discuss placing @Canelo @AmirKingKhan at new T-Mobile Arena
— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) February 2, 2016
“Canelo is the biggest star in the sport and as he demonstrated against James Kirkland and Miguel Cotto last year, he is only getting better. Those who predicted that he would take an easy fight for his first defense have been proven wrong once again. As for Amir, he has won his last five fights including an incredible performance against Devon Alexander, and now that he is back where he belongs at Golden Boy Promotions, his future is very bright, once again,” said De La Hoya
What are your thoughts on Canelo vs. Khan?
