Former two-time world champion Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) today hosted a media workout at his gym in Hayward, Calif. ahead of his battle against WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs)on Saturday, May 7 at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Canelo vs. Khan will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Below is what Amir and his team had to say at today’s media workout:
AMIR KHAN, Former Two-Time World Champion:
“It’s been very different this time around. This camp has to be one of the hardest training camps I’ve had. Strength conditioning, the boxing and sparring have been different. I’m being pushed to the limit every time. I’ve trained very hard this time and I’m going to go into the fight very strong.
“This is probably my fifth fight under Virgil. We’re getting to know each other even better. He knows what to improve on. He knows how to work me. We are bonding better now than ever.
“This is a massive fight, fighting Canelo. He is a big name around the world. Beating Canelo will definitely take me back to the top where I want to be. I’ve always dreamed of being one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, and I think by beating Canelo that will definitely get me there. That is why I took this fight.
“We are going to have to use the right game plan towards what Canelo will bring in the ring that day. We will have to be very focused in this fight. What beats Canelo in my eyes is speed, and movement, skill and boxing IQ so that’s what we are going to be using.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“Amir is looking great this camp, very strong, fast and confident. I know Virgil and he are working on a solid game plan for this fight. Come May 7, we will see if speed can overcome power to be victorious.
“Amir is a very talented fighter. I think he has matured, grown in his knowledge and ring IQ and that will impact how he fights on May 7. I think the fans can count on Amir giving it everything he has in the ring on May 7, which will make for an exciting and explosive fight with Canelo.”
VIRGIL HUNTER, Trainer to Amir Khan:
“My job is to get Amir Khan ready to fight May 7 and win May 7. He’s going to have an IQ that night in order to be successful. And the IQ he uses should be simple: don’t get hit and hit back. That calls for focus and if he’s in tune, he should be OK.
“His defense has to come in ways that is going to work for him. He needs to be defensive for the right thing at the right time. That’s what we are focusing on: where to be, where not to be.
“He’s already exceeded the expectations for his career. He’s competitive. Mentally, he has come a long way to understand the game where he doesn’t just rely on his physical gifts.”
SHAH KHAN, Manager and Father to Amir Khan:
“The training is going really well up to now. We have had good sparring partners. The preparation for the fight is going according to plan. Virgil is working out a great game plan for him on May 7.
“We wish the best to Canelo’s team and hopefully the best guy will win on May 7.”
Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila and DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.
An all-new edition of HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning reality series “24/7” premieres Saturday, April 23 at 12:15 a.m. ET/9:15 p.m.
Photo credit: Golden Boy Promotions
