Boxing News Thread

[naner12]

Man, can they not throw some money @ Amnat to make a unification fight. I'd imagine that fight would be much cheaper than Estrada. I haven't even seen him mentioned as a possible opponent.
_______
The "GGG and Chocolatito Show" is back for another episode.

For a third consecutive fight, pound-for-pound king Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez will defend his flyweight world title in the co-feature of a Gennady Golovkin middleweight title defense.

K2 Promotions made it official on Friday, announcing that it has finalized a fight between Gonzalez and McWilliams Arroyo. They will meet on April 23 (HBO, 10 p.m. ET/PT) at the Forum in Inglewood, California, in the co-feature of the card headlined by Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs), who will defend his unified titles against mandatory challenger Dominic Wade (18-0, 12 KOs). The Golovkin-Wade fight was announced earlier this week.

"Having Roman paired with Gennady was a winning combination in 2015, as both fought in front of huge crowds in Los Angeles and New York City," said Tom Loeffler, managing director of K2 Promotions. "Roman has a very fan-friendly style, and we're pleased that following his HBO debut in May at the Forum, he was recognized as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter by most of the major media platforms worldwide."

Gonzalez (44-0, 38 KOs), a former strawweight and junior flyweight titleholder, will be defending the flyweight crown for the fourth time. Last May, he wiped out former junior flyweight titleholder Edgar Sosa in the second round on the Golovkin-Willie Monroe Jr. undercard. On Oct. 17, he dominated former unified flyweight titleholder Brian Viloria in a ninth-round knockout on the Golovkin-David Lemieux undercard at sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York.

The pairing of Golovkin, regarded by many as the No. 2 fighter pound-for-pound, and Gonzalez has proved to be a hit with fans.

"It is the best combination in boxing having the two best pound-for-pound fighters on the same show," Loeffler said. "It's win-win since Roman got more publicity in the last two GGG shows than he had previously in his career, and HBO and the fans get the excitement that he brings into the ring with every fight. He is at a completely different marketing level now that he has fought twice on the HBO platform."

Gonzalez, 28, of Nicaragua, was humble as always about being added to a major show.

"I want to thank God, (co-promoter) Teiken Promotions, especially my father (figure, Teiken chief) Mr. (Akihiko) Honda, HBO, K2 Promotions, and my family, and my team for helping me once again obtain the opportunity to fight representing my country and my fans," he said.

Arroyo (16-2, 14 KOs), 30, of Puerto Rico, was a 2008 Olympian and won gold medals at significant international competitions such as the Word Amateur Championships and the Pan-Am Games.

Arroyo has not fought since a third-round knockout victory against Victor Ruiz last April. That fight was Arroyo's first since September 2014, when he floored titleholder Amnat Ruenroeng in the sixth round but went on to suffer a split-decision loss on Ruenroeng's home turf in Thailand.

"I am very happy with this opportunity to fight for the world title again," Arroyo said. "We were confident that this fight would come, and now is the time to continue training to bring this title to Puerto Rico. We know that Roman Gonzalez is a great fighter, one of the best today, and we will get in the best condition to win that belt."

Arroyo's twin brother, McJoe Arroyo, won a junior bantamweight title last year, and McWilliams hopes to join him as a world titleholder.

"It is our dream to be world champions, my brother and I, and I know we will get it done," he said.

Said Loeffler: "McWilliams Arroyo brings a great deal of confidence and skill into this battle, wanting to join his brother McJoe as a world champion."

 

[battle619]

I love the "this is a business" people. Everyone knows it's a fucking business, there's literally no one that's followed boxing that is unaware that it's a business. The problem with that logic is that it's a sport/entertainment business. Pick any fighter you'd like and retire him right now and not only would the sport move on without him, eventually someone will take his place.

I've never bought the fact that fights to be built up for years for them to be successful. There's no doubt it my mind if you hold Canelo Vs. GGG tomorrow that it'll make similar money to holding Canelo Vs. GGG in 2018. The difference here is that if it manages to be a good fight the first time around you can bankroll that into a rematch etc etc.

These fights aren't being made to build anything up, they're not being made to protect fighters. The problem with doing shit like this is that it's difficult attracting people that don't watch the sport to something without structure. If you're somewhat into boxing who wants to take the time to learn every champion throughout 17 divisions + have to balance every SB ridiculous rules and stipulations, especially when they don't follow them themselves.

I'd also like to see a quote where GBP said they made the Khan fight @ 155 to make it seem like a mandatory.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan - No Rehydration Clause - Boxing News

They are already making the same excuse Cotto made, except Canelo really does plan on fighting GGG. So I'm pretty sure Khan and Canelo was supposed to take place at 154, but the title would probably would have been stripped. Don't act like that's not what they are trying to say in the article

 

[battle619]

Right, you say he's fighting bums as if that's his fault. If Canelo would man up we'd have a huge fight right now.

He got $800k from Cotto. Everyone wanted to see the Canelo Cotto fight so they didn't get in the way and at the same time got some money for allowing the belt to be on the line and that's the key here - Cotto paid Golovkin to fight Canelo for the title. We already knew Cotto wasn't going to fight Golovkin and we know for a fact he was willing to drop the belt since Cotto did just that three days before the Canelo fight. You can't blame Golovkin for these guys not fighting him.

At the end of the day the boxing world is getting exposed to Canelo and his diva ways by fighting in a made up weight division that only he fights at, cherry picking a glass jawed welterweight and cowardly ducking Golovkin. Most everyone realizes Golovkin would hurt Canelo which is why Canelo/Golden Boy are playing games and avoiding the fight, they aren't trying to "build the fight" they are trying to avoid it all together, hoping Golovkin will either lose or get so frustrated he leaves the division. It's sad that ducking is rewarded in boxing but the boxing gods usually have a way of making things right.

As much as I am against this fighting, a lot of internet reaction views this as a "risky" fight for Canelo. Now, I don't mean to say bums but GGG's recent opponents don't have the names like a Quillin, Jacobs, or lee. Once a fighter reaches a certain level, they should view their options. GGG decided to stay exclusive with HBO and he has no choice but to deal with it.

 

[naner12]

Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan - No Rehydration Clause - Boxing News

They are already making the same excuse Cotto made, except Canelo really does plan on fighting GGG. So I'm pretty sure Khan and Canelo was supposed to take place at 154, but the title would probably would have been stripped. Don't act like that's not what they are trying to say in the article

That's not what it says at all in that article, you completely made that up. Gomez is clearly trying explain away the reason for no rehydration clause in the contract is because "Canelo is really a 154lber" and that it's only @ 155 because he can't defend the title @ 154.

It's amazing how you read an article and straight make something up that isn't there.

In other words he's trying to say this isn't really that much of a size mismatch and no rehydration clause is needed and making his point by saying that Canelo can comfortably make 154.

 

[battle619]

That's not what it says at all in that article, you completely made that up. Gomez is clearly trying explain away the reason for no rehydration clause in the contract is because "Canelo is really a 154lber" and that it's only @ 155 because he can't defend the title @ 154.

It's amazing how you read an article and straight make something up that isn't there.

In other words he's trying to say this isn't really that much of a size mismatch and no rehydration clause is needed and making his point by saying that Canelo can comfortably make 154.

Then why didn't they just make the fight at 154? When Canelo fought Lara, Lara was the champ and they fought at 155 and it was a non-title fight. Obviously, Canelo doesn't care about the title anyways, correct? You see, once Canelo beat Kirkland, fought for the third straight time at 155, and Cotto became champ at 160, people wanted to see Canelo vs GGG. I don't hear what people say, I listen. And I told you guys then that GGG would have to wait 2 years no matter what anyone, even the WBC, says and I am correct. Read betwwen the lines and what does this article mean? Canelo is fighting a welterweight that has never fought at jr middle weight and this is an excuse for why he's doing it. You and I know there is a huge weight difference in this matchup. So what he's REALLY saying is that because of the agreement that GBP, K2, and the WBC have they have to make a voluntary defense so they both agreed to a 155 catchweight in order to satisfy the WBC and at the sametime give the "mega fight" Khan always wanted. The rehydration clause question was asked because we all know this fight is stupid.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Then why didn't they just make the fight at 154?

Because Canelo hasn't fought at 154 pounds in years. He's clearly most comfortable at his imaginary weight class so he doesn't have to struggle making weight as much. This is a guy who weighs over 170 pounds in the ring. Plus having the belt on the line is always viewed as more prestigious, they can advertise the fight as a championship fight versus just some random non title fight. It has nothing to do with the WBC and having a mandatory or a voluntary defense (how would that even make sense being that Khan isn't ranked at middleweight let alone junior middleweight?).

This fight is at the Canelo weight class because that's what Canelo wants.

If anything the WBC shouldn't allow this to be for a title, like when they finally decided Garcia vs Salka would be a non title fight.

 

[naner12]

Because Canelo hasn't fought at 154 pounds in years. He's clearly most comfortable at his imaginary weight class so he doesn't have to struggle making weight as much. This is a guy who weighs over 170 pounds in the ring. Plus having the belt on the line is always viewed as more prestigious, they can advertise the fight as a championship fight versus just some random non title fight. It has nothing to do with the WBC and having a mandatory or a voluntary defense (how would that even make sense being that Khan isn't ranked at middleweight let alone junior middleweight?).

This fight is at the Canelo weight class because that's what Canelo wants.

If anything the WBC shouldn't allow this to be for a title, like when they finally decided Garcia vs Salka would be a non title fight.

Makes perfect sense when you don't worry about what people say, but really read into what you think they're saying while inserting your own insane delusional bias into the conversation. You just don't get it, this is a business! Canelo is a red haired angel God. Mayweather should fight his mandatories.

 

[battle619]

Because Canelo hasn't fought at 154 pounds in years. He's clearly most comfortable at his imaginary weight class so he doesn't have to struggle making weight as much. This is a guy who weighs over 170 pounds in the ring. Plus having the belt on the line is always viewed as more prestigious, they can advertise the fight as a championship fight versus just some random non title fight. It has nothing to do with the WBC and having a mandatory or a voluntary defense (how would that even make sense being that Khan isn't ranked at middleweight let alone junior middleweight?).

This fight is at the Canelo weight class because that's what Canelo wants.

If anything the WBC shouldn't allow this to be for a title, like when they finally decided Garcia vs Salka would be a non title fight.

And at what point did I disagree with you? I totally agree with you. I find a lot of things unfair in the sport of boxing but who am i? I'm just a fan. As a fan I would love to see a bun ch of shit changed but I'm just a fan. Canelo stance on fighting GGG isn't based on fear, but he just doesn't see it fit that he would have to cough up so much to fight GGG. And I understand that. You should too. Do I agree with it? No. But I understand it.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Why are u making up shit battle? Canelo doesn't want to cough up what? Money? Money is not an issue. Canelo would take more than the lionshare. He/GBP don't want to fight him because it's an extremely risky fight that they know they could lose, potentially badly. So if by "cough up so much" you mean his health and blood, then yeah, he doesn't want to "cough up so much" (i.e their scared he'll get his ass beat). Otherwise this fight would be happening right now instead of a laughable mismatch against a guy in Khan who was knocked out by Danny Garcia at 140 pounds.

 

[TrEmEnDo InDo]

Why are u making up shit battle? Canelo doesn't want to cough up what? Money? Money is not an issue. Canelo would take more than the lionshare. He/GBP don't want to fight him because it's an extremely risky fight that they know they could lose, potentially badly. So if by "cough up so much" you mean his health and blood, then yeah, he doesn't want to "cough up so much" (i.e their scared he'll get his ass beat). Otherwise this fight would be happening right now instead of a laughable mismatch against a guy in Khan who was knocked out by Danny Garcia at 140 pounds.

Seriously, I've said before, if I had money invested in this I would advise Canelo to avoid ggg, Hence, the reason I'm not gonna lose MY shit when this fight never happens.

Ggg = baaaad medicine

 

[TrEmEnDo InDo]

VIDEO] BOB ARUM REVEALS VASYL LOMACHENKO VS. NICHOLAS WALTERS IS MADE; SAYS HE'S FINALIZING A NETWORK TO TELEVISE


"The fight's made...I'm just looking for a network to televise it," stated Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who revealed that a intriguing matchup between Vasyl Lomachenko and Nicholas Walters is essentially a done deal and he simply needs to finalize the network to televise the fight. Check it out!


[ Follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter T @true west007 ]


DAAAAAAAMN!!

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Sick. What weight?

 

[TrEmEnDo InDo]

HEre's the video



It sounds like 130. IT also kinda sounds like bob arum just talking shit again.

 

[naner12]

Ready or not, here comes Anthony Joshua.

Joshua, universally considered boxing's most outstanding heavyweight prospect and already an economic force but still very raw, is getting a shot to fight for a world title.

He will square off with newly crowned IBF titleholder Charles Martin on April 9 at the O2 Arena in London in what will be an enormous fight for British boxing.

The deal, in the works for only a couple of weeks, was finalized Sunday and announced by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents Joshua.

"Life is all about taking opportunities, and when the chance to become heavyweight champion of the world presented itself, there was no holding Anthony back," Hearn said. "He wants to give the fans something to get excited about and he wants to become a great, and even though the decision among the team took a week or so, I believe his mind was already made up from the moment I asked him."

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Joshua (15-0, 15 KOs) was the 2012 British Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist and has been tabbed for superstardom since. But Joshua, who turned pro in late 2013, has boxed only 32 professional rounds, seven of which came in his most recent fight Dec. 12 when he stopped rival Dillian Whyte, who had knocked Joshua down and defeated him in a 2009 amateur fight.

Joshua, 26, who was headlining his first Sky Box Office pay-per-view card in the United Kingdom, was badly hurt in the second round by Whyte but otherwise dominated.

Martin-Joshua will also headline a Sky Box Office pay-per-view card in the U.K. In the United States, the fight likely will air on Showtime, which televised Martin's last fight, when he claimed a title.

Despite so little professional experience, Joshua said he is ready for the challenge.

"Fighting for the heavyweight world title has been a dream of mine since I turned professional," he said. "I feel privileged to have the opportunity to turn that dream into reality. Not only that, [but] having the chance to fight for it in my hometown at the O2 and live on Sky Sports is unbelievably exciting. Charles Martin is a great fighter and a hungry competitor, so I am going to have to produce the performance of my career to claim that belt."

Martin said his goal has always been to fight top opponents.

"I told my team I wanted the best challenger possible for my first defense, and Anthony Joshua's name kept coming up," Martin said. "I'm coming to the U.K. to make a statement that I am the best heavyweight in the world and no one is taking my title.

"I'm [a] world champion, so that doesn't mean just sit back and make easy defenses in the U.S. It means facing the biggest challenges out there. I respect Anthony Joshua and everything he has accomplished, but on April 9 he's getting knocked out."

Said Mike Borao, Martin's manager: "Charles is only interested in fighting the best and being a superstar, not being average. Charles is always ready. He works very hard, and he will surprise a lot of people. We're very excited about this. As a boxing fan, I'm very excited. As Charles' manager, I'm triple excited because I think this will be his breakout fight."

The 6-5, 245-pound Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs), 29, a St. Louis native based in Carson, California, is also very untested since turning pro in late 2012. But the southpaw claimed a vacant heavyweight belt Jan. 16 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, when he was credited with a third-round knockout of then-undefeated contender Vyacheslav "Czar" Glazkov.

Little could be gleaned from that bout because virtually nothing happened. After two feeling-out rounds, Glazkov slipped to the mat in the third and badly injured his right knee. He tore his ACL and meniscus and dislocated the knee. With Glazkov unable to continue, Martin was declared the winner and collected the title belt that had been stripped from Tyson Fury, Joshua's British countryman, 10 days after he scored a massive upset by outpointing longtime unified and lineal world champion Wladimir Klitschko on Nov. 28.

Glazkov was one of Fury's mandatory challengers and the fight was due next, but because Fury was already contractually obligated to face Klitschko in an immediate rematch and could not fight Glazkov, he was stripped of the title. That left Glazkov to fight Martin, the next leading available contender, for the vacant title.

Now Joshua, the British and Commonwealth champion, will get the opportunity, one that comes probably about a year ahead of when he and his team figured he would get a chance to fight for a world title.
_______

Big props to Martin for taking this fight. I'm sure they backed up the truck to bring him over.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Yeah its a good fight and props to Martin.

Still, I never really like when young guys who are obviously still progressing jump into a title fight just for the sake of winning a title. Joshua isn't ready to fight the Fury's, the David Hayes, the Ortiz' of the world yet so he's going to need a few more fights at least to get to that level. But once you have a title you are now obligated to fight the best, to fight mandatories and top opponents and since this is the IBF title we know they take their mandatories very seriously (I mean they stripped Fury within 10 days for crying out loud). Joshua is a huge star in the UK so it's not like he needs a belt right now either. But with that said, I'm sure there is a way they can balance all of this while still progressing as a fighter. It can be a little risky though to rush him if he's not ready. He's very talented but still raw and needs work and improvement in multiple areas of his game.

 

[naner12]

Yeah its a good fight and props to Martin.

Still, I never really like when young guys who are obviously still progressing jump into a title fight just for the sake of winning a title. Joshua isn't ready to fight the Fury's, the David Hayes, the Ortiz' of the world yet so he's going to need a few more fights at least to get to that level. But once you have a title you are now obligated to fight the best, to fight mandatories and top opponents and since this is the IBF title we know they take their mandatories very seriously (I mean they stripped Fury within 10 days for crying out loud). Joshua is a huge star in the UK so it's not like he needs a belt right now either. But with that said, I'm sure there is a way they can balance all of this while still progressing as a fighter. It can be a little risky though to rush him if he's not ready. He's very talented but still raw and needs work and improvement in multiple areas of his game.

No different than Martin holding the title to be honest. Them stripping Fury makes a lot more sense to me than it did when it was first announced. Apparently the IBF has a rule in place where they don't allow immediate rematches, so a contract was turned in to them that didn't have an immediate rematch clause if Wlad lost and they approved it, then the contract was changed after their approval. Which is why they were so quick to strip Fury after the fact.

Also Joseph Parker will likely end up being the mandatory for the title being the #2 ranked heavyweight behind Joshua in their rankings. Martin/Joshua Vs. Parker will be another dope fight between 2 undefeated guys that are all still progressing. I also don't know if I agree that he's not ready for a guy like Haye, Haye is chinny and can get put down at heavy at the top just as easy as he can put someone down.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Haye isn't chinny like Khan chinny. I mean as a heavyweight he's never really been hurt. Although I would agree his chin would be his downfall if Joshua were to beat him. But hes incredibly talented...extremely talented. Its just too bad he has been more interested in being a celebrity than a boxer.

But when I look at Joshua I see potential but still pretty raw. I think they can find a nice balance with the IBF and taking fights that make sense, but I don't see a guy that can hang with the top just yet. Yeah maybe David Haye since he's been away from the sport for so long and hes starting to get up there in age, but Haye on his best day would beat him right now imo.

 

[naner12]

Haye isn't chinny like Khan chinny. I mean as a heavyweight he's never really been hurt. Although I would agree his chin would be his downfall if Joshua were to beat him. But hes incredibly talented...extremely talented. Its just too bad he has been more interested in being a celebrity than a boxer.

But when I look at Joshua I see potential but still pretty raw. I think they can find a nice balance with the IBF and taking fights that make sense, but I don't see a guy that can hang with the top just yet. Yeah maybe David Haye since he's been away from the sport for so long and hes starting to get up there in age, but Haye on his best day would beat him right now imo.

Don't really disagree I just think we differ on what Haye on his best day is now. I'd pick Joshua to beat him if that fight were to happen this year, but who knows. Haye is a big enough name and has been away from the sport long enough that I'm sure we'll find out sooner rather than later what 2016 Haye actually is.

Current IBF rankings are as follows,

1 NOT RATED
2 NOT RATED
3 Erkan Teper Germany
4 Anthony Joshua England
5 Carlos Takam France
6 Joshua Parker New Zealand
7 Vyacheslav Glazkov Ukraine
8 Steve Cunningham United States
9 Andy Ruiz Mexico
10 Bermane Stiverne Haiti
11 Kubrat Pulev Bulgaria
12 Robert Helenius Finland
13 Derek Chisora Zimbabwe
14 Alexander Ustinov Russian Federation
15 Dominic Breazeale United States

I was wrong about Joshua/Parker being 1/2. Teper failed his post fight drug test after beating Price so not too sure where he stands. Besides Parker there's just no one really terrifying there. I don't think he'll be rushed into a unification with Fury/Wilder going at each other and Fury is going to have to deal with the eventual winner Chagaev/Browne Vs. Ortiz/Thompson.

Heavyweight's still shallow enough where I think he'll be fine and still able to learn and progress if he becomes a champ.

 

[naner12]

VIDEO] BOB ARUM REVEALS VASYL LOMACHENKO VS. NICHOLAS WALTERS IS MADE; SAYS HE'S FINALIZING A NETWORK TO TELEVISE


"The fight's made...I'm just looking for a network to televise it," stated Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who revealed that a intriguing matchup between Vasyl Lomachenko and Nicholas Walters is essentially a done deal and he simply needs to finalize the network to televise the fight. Check it out!


[ Follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter T @true west007 ]


DAAAAAAAMN!!

That's a good fight. Not sure why they're needing a network to finalize considering both guys are in with HBO pretty good.

 

[heyzel]

AMIR KHAN SPEAKS IN-DEPTH ABOUT CANELO ALVAREZ SHOWDOWN: "I WANT TO PROVE EVERYONE WRONG"
By Ben Thompson | February 15, 2016
[​IMG]


BT: Amir, congratulations on getting the big fight with Canelo Alvarez.

AK: It's a good fight, brotha. Look, I really believe in myself. I really think I can win this fight by being smart and using my attributes. No disrespect, Canelo's an amazing fighter. He's a very strong guy and a lot of people are scared to fight him, but I stepped up to the plate, and I think by me stepping up, it proves a point that Amir Khan wants to fight the best names in boxing, obviously chasing Mayweather and chasing Manny Pacquiao. People were saying I was scared to fight Kell Brook. I mean, I even wanted to fight Kell Brook this time, but obviously we couldn't negotiate the terms, so that's why I moved on to the fight against Canelo.

BT: The fact that no one even knew that the fight was being negotiated made it that much more intriguing when it was officially announced. It's very rare when nothing at all leaks out to the media. Was it difficult to keep everything under wraps?

AK: Everything leaks out, man. We spoke to Oscar and everyone, and I spoke to Al Haymon and Al said to me, "Yeah, I'll make the fight happen if you want the fight. I'll get you that fight." Al said, "It's a good fight for us if we do the right things," and Al really thinks I deserve a big fight like this. Al was always involved on our side. He's my advisor, which everyone knows.

BT: Were you surprised at the reaction from fans and media when the fight was announced? Regardless of what people thought about the fight, I think the general consensus was that Amir Khan has big balls to step up and fight Canelo.

AK: Yeah, I mean, I think I've always been that type of fighter where I want to always fight the top names. I never had the opportunity, so I've kind of proven to everyone that, look, I want to fight the big people and the best people out there, and by beating them, it would prove what type of character and what type of fighter I am. I'm one of them fighters who wants to win and I want to set a statement, and also, the other fighters around the world, make them realize, look, you have to fight the best. The best have to fight the best. There's no point hiding and not fighting. I hope this kind of sends a message to all the fighters out there. Look, if I would have just said it, people would have been like, "What the hell? Amir is just full of shyt," but because I went there and did it, I think a lot of people respect me for that. They can say what they want, but the respect is still there for me like, "Amir is fighting this guy. He didn't need to. He could've gone an easier route."

BT: A lot of people are making a big deal about the weight difference between you two. Do you look at it the same way as everybody else? Do you consider Canelo to be that much bigger than you?

AK: I look at him as a dangerous guy, a very dangerous guy, and I'm not taking an easy one, but I'm going to go in the ring expecting the most dangerous Canelo, who is heavy-handed with both hands and who has everything. I'm going to train for the best Canelo. I think he's a good fighter, but I really believe I can beat him. I really believe that the best Amir Khan will definitely beat him.

BT: Some are speculating that he might be 20 pounds heavier than you on the night of the fight. Do you think that will be the case?

AK: How much do you think he's going to go into the ring at?

BT: I mean, if he's weighing in at 155, I can see him packing on 20 pounds overnight, so he'll probably be around 175ish, maybe 180, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he'll have 20 pounds on you. Obviously it depends on how much you plan on weighing. Are you going to come in heavier or are you going to stay light to retain your speed?

AK: That's the one thing that he's going to have an advantage, but I also have a lot of good advantages; the speed, the movement, and everything else I think. That's what's going to help me in this fight. Look, if the weight is 155, I'm going to come in at 155 naturally and see how it works for me. I'm going to just do what my body tells me and see how I feel. I'm ready, man. This is a big fight for me and I want to prove everyone wrong. All these doubters and everything, I want to prove to them how good Amir Khan is and how good I am. I get a lot of criticism and stuff, but I think it's time now where I tell them. I mean, look, I think I've already won. Having the balls to fight someone like him, being so much heavier than me, I think that answers everything anyway, saying I'm not scared and showing my character, man, because there's a lot of fighters out there who would be scared and who would not want to fight big guys like Canelo and them guys, but I am because I've been let down too many times and I saw this opportunity and I'm taking it because I really believe I can win this fight.

BT: Do you plan on sparring with heavier guys to get accustomed to the higher weight?

AK: Yeah. Sparring is going to be with heavier guys just to get used to that heaviness and I'm looking forward to it. I've got some good sparring partners we're going to be flying in and we're just going to be smart in this fight. We know what to do. I mean, look, there's some things that we're going to be working on in the strategy and the game plan. We're not going to really do anything that's going to give him a chance to hit me. We know what to do, man. We know how to win this fight and by winning this fight, it'll definitely take us right to the top where we need to be.

BT: I know you motivate yourself to train no matter who the opponent is. That said, do you think the magnitude of this event gives you that extra motivation that might have been missing in some of your past fights?

AK: It's on a massive level. I've always wanted to fight on pay-per-view and become a pay-per-view fighter one day. I think that's what it is, man. Fighting on pay-per-view, fighting one of the top fighters of his division, fighting a world champion, fighting Canelo, who is a big name in boxing, like I said, this is what makes me train harder. I'm going into this fight as the underdog. I've never been in a fight as an underdog. I've always gone into every fight as the favorite. When you're the favorite all the time, that pressure's not there. I need a little bit of pressure, a little bit of drive. I think with this fight, being the underdog, I really want that because that's the way I'm going to perform and that's the way I'm going to prove people wrong and prove that Amir Khan is one of the best fighters out there. For me, this fight is like the most dangerous and the fight that can make history in my career.

BT: Does the fact that it is a dangerous fight make you more focused more or make you more aware and alert inside the ring?

AK: Yeah, it definitely does. I mean, look, I've seen Floyd Mayweather when he trains for fights, he's always scared of getting beat and he's always scared of not winning a fight. Basically I'm the same. Having that fear, I mean, not fear, but having a dangerous fight and knowing that you can get hurt in this fight is only going to make me work harder and train harder.

BT: Where will a win over Canelo put you in terms of pound-for-pound talk?

AK: It puts me at the top of the table in the pound-for-pound rankings. Yeah, man, I mean, that's when the big fights come to me. I really believe that beating Canelo will put me as one of the top fighters in the pound-for-pound lists.