By Edward Chaykovsky
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32KOs) is not exactly sure why so many people are throwing questions at him regarding the middleweight limit of 160-pounds.
Canelo is the WBC middleweight world champion, but he's never fought at the full division.
He made his debut at middleweight last November when he faced Miguel Cotto with the vacant WBC title at stake. Canelo won a twelve round unanimous decision. The fight took place at a catch-weight of 155-pounds.
Canelo will defend his title on May 7th, also at 155, against former champion Amir Khan (31-3, 19KOs), who is moving up by eight pounds from the welterweight division. The fight takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
If Canelo wins, he must defend his title in a mandatory defense against WBO/IBO/IBF champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin, who refuses to face the Mexican star at a catch-weight.
Canelo considers himself to be a junior middleweight and claims he can still make the limit of 154 with ease. He says the fight with Khan is at 155 in order to have his WBC title at stake.
“Right now, I am a 154-pound fighter,” Canelo said. “For this fight, we are fighting at 155 pounds. So I don’t know why everyone is so concerned about 160.”
Khan is a huge underdog in the contest. The British boxer believes his speed and boxing ability will be enough to overcome Canelo's size and strength. Canelo is pretty confident that Khan will be unable to replicate the 2013 performance of Floyd Mayweather, who easily handled Canelo over twelve rounds.
“I think as you get older, you get wiser,” Canelo said. “He’s a different fighter to prepare for. He moves well, and he’s quick. But I’ve fought many different styles, and I’ll be ready for him.”