Khan: Canelo fight is about legacy, I want to win for the UK
Canelo v Khan
03 May 2016
Credit: Hogan Photos / GBP
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As his defining night approaches, British star Amir Khan stands on the brink of one of his home countries greatest achievements.
The 29 year-old attempts to move up eight pounds to face a massive challenge against Mexican puncher Canelo Alvarez and take the WBC middleweight belt back to Bolton in the United Kingdom.
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Amir Khan (boxer)United KingdomLight welterweightMexico
Despite never having fought for a world title at 147 pounds, the former super lightweight king has accepted a catchweight contest at 155 pounds with Canelo and hopes to secure his place in the annals of the sport this weekend in Las Vegas.
“I'm thinking about making history in boxing and leaving a great legacy behind and fighting the best out there,” said Khan
“I wanted the big fights against Mayweather, Pacquiao, and both fights didn't happen. I wanted the next big thing, and the next big thing was Canelo, and I remembered a long time ago being asked to speak about that fight, and you know, it seems to be more realistic now. I'm in a position where I'm growing up now and getting stronger, and I'm knowing and getting to understand boxing a lot better now, and having a good team around me with Virgil and the team, I think that helps, also, so I just needed that big fight now because that was something that was only going to give me more confidence and kind of give me that more drive.”
On going up against a heavy favourite in Canelo, Khan added: I think it's great to be the underdog. This is the first fight I'm walking into as the underdog because normally I'm walking in as the favorite, and possibly a bit of pressure on you, where this time I'm going to be walking in as the underdog, and that way it's a time where I can prove people this is where I belong. I belong as one of the best fighters in the world, and it's going to be a great test for me.
“It's a fight for me that I want to prove to people that I really do belong up against the best fighters in the world, and I want to be the best one there. This is a great fight for the fans to watch, as well, and I'm going to give it to the fans of the UK because they've always been waiting and expecting a big fight from me, especially with Floyd Mayweather not happening and then Manny Pacquiao not happening.
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World Boxing CouncilCatch weightBoxingMiddleweight
“I want to do this for the UK crowd and hopefully bring back home the belt, and definitely it's going to be a big, big Mexican holiday. I believe that the UK fans are going to turn out for me and they're going to come and support this big fight,” stated Khan.