“I KNEW MY LEGACY FIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY COME AFTER MAYWEATHER DISAPPOINTMENT” – KHAN RARING TO GO FOR CANELO SUPERFIGHT AS HE LOOKS TO MAKE HISTORY EXCLUSIVELY LIVE ON BOXNATION
LONDON (April 28) – British star Amir Khan always believed that he would get the chance of a legacy fight, despite setbacks in his pursuit of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
The two-time world champion has told BoxNation that he has always been convinced of landing a superfight ahead of his eagerly anticipated showdown with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez next Saturday night.
The pair are set to do battle at the newly built T-Mobile Arena for the lineal middleweight world title, with Khan revealing that he was certain that he would eventually get the opportunity to shine on the biggest of stages.
“I always believed that I would get the opportunity to prove myself in a historic fight, even after the disappointment of not getting Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao,” said Khan.
“I felt that an opportunity would present itself and that always kept me going and moving forward. That time has come now with Canelo and I can look to create my own legacy and take on someone who is one of the very best out there,” Khan told BoxNation.
29-year-old Khan, a welterweight who will be moving up two weight divisions to take on the formidable Canelo believes that this fight will be harder than against either Mayweather or Pacquiao.
“This is a tougher fight than against a Mayweather or Pacquiao because of the size difference but I love that sort of challenge – it’s why I’m in boxing,” he said.
“I’m going in there to give everything and to prove that this is where I belong. I’ve done some great work for this camp and will be ready to go as soon as the bell rings to start the fight.
“Canelo is a great champion, in his prime, very skilled and I will need to be at my very best to beat him. In most people’s eyes I’m seen as the underdog for this fight but I know deep down that I can win it. I’m ready to go and prove myself on this stage,” Khan said.
The fight will take place on the Mexican holiday weekend of Cinco de Mayo in which there is expected to be a large turnout of Canelo fans.
Khan, however, is undaunted at the prospect of entering into the lion’s den and expects the sizeable contingent of British fans making the trip to be just as boisterous.
“British fans are the best around,” said Khan. “They can out-sing anyone so I’m sure they’ll make their voices heard on fight night. It doesn’t worry me how many fans he has in the arena because I know there are a lot of fans travelling from Britain and their support will be incredible.
“It’s going to give me an extra boost hearing them and seeing them waving their flags. I want to do this for the UK and keep British boxing on the high we’ve been experiencing of late,” he said.
Khan v Canelo is exclusively live on BoxNation (Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/Online & App) next Saturday night. Go to boxnation.com to subscribe.
Photos by Golden Boy Promotions
