WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) and former two-time world champion and resurgent contender Amir “King” Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) today kicked off their three-city international press tour in London at the Park Plaza Riverbank London Hotel to discuss their upcoming May 7 showdown at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
The fighters met on Khan’s hometown turf for the first press conference of the tour, which was preceded by a photo tour of London’s most famous landmarks for the two fighters on Sunday, Feb. 28. Canelo and Khan will travel next to The Hard Rock Café in New York City on March 1 and end their press tour in Los Angeles at the Five Tower Stage at Universal City Walk on March 2. All events are open to the public.
Below is what the fighters, their teams and promoter had to say at the press conference:
CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion:
“It’s my first time in London and I’ve had a lot of support from the fans and the media.
“Amir Khan is a great fighter and this will be a great fight. Come May 7th, this will be a fantastic event. We want to put a great fight on for the fans”
AMIR “KING” KHAN, Former Two-Time World Champion:
“When I was 17 and in the Olympics I was an underdog – no one gave me a chance of winning a medal. Everyone thought I was going to lose then. This is what this feels like now.
“Alvarez is a dangerous fighter. People keep asking me why I want to fight this big fighter. I really believe I can win in this fight.
“What will win this fight is speed; determination and skill. My dream has always been to fight the best and test myself and in Canelo I’m facing just that.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:
“This will be a mega-fight with high intensity action with two boxers at the height of their career.
“Amir Khan is warrior who does not avoid anyone but has been avoided and Canelo is the number one superstar in boxing and always wants to take on the very best.
“This is an exciting fight on Cinco De Mayo weekend which will have it all and is one not to be missed.”
EDDY REYNOSO, Head Trainer of Canelo Alvarez:
“We’re up against a great fighter, one who is fast. Many people think Amir is not worthy of this fight but he is and all the fans can expect an exciting fight from the first round.”
SHAH KHAN, Father and Manager of Amir Khan:
“I would like to thank Alvarez. He could have fought anyone and he chose to fight Amir.
“I really do believe Amir is a pay-per-view star and belongs on the same platform as the likes of Canelo and Floyd Mayweather.”
MAURICIO SULAIMAN, President of WBC:
“It is great to see Amir Khan move up and challenge Alvarez which will be one of the greatest fights in recent history.”
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 and Casa Mexico Tequila. The mega-event will take place on Saturday, May 7 at the 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.
For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.HBO.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxin
