By Miguel Rivera
Eddy Reynoso, trainer of WBC middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32KOs), believes Amir Khan (31-3, 19KOs) has a much stronger chin that many give him credit for.
Canelo will defend his title against Khan in the headline bout of an HBO Pay-Per-View from the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Mexican superstar is a big favorite to win the fight, with many selecting him due to Khan's perceived inability to take a punch and Canelo's size advantage. The fight takes place at a catch-weight of 155, with Khan moving up by eight-pounds from the welterweight division.
Khan has been knocked out by Breidis Prescott at lightweight and Danny Garcia at junior welterweight, so many expect that he'll get stopped by Canelo. The Besides the knockout defeats, the British boxer has also been dropped several times throughout his career in some of the lower weight divisions.
Reynoso believes the critics are exaggerating the situation. He feels Khan's chin is more durable than stated by many.
"Amir Khan is a great fighter, a boxer with a great experience that comes from his time as an amateur boxer. He has many qualities and is very disciplined," said Reynoso to ESPN Deportes. "Amir Khan boxing a lot while using his legs and we must attack him with waist movements, because he has very good hand speed. We must also keep a proper guard, because with his long arms it is easy for him to connect with punches on his opponents."
"They say they can not stand [up to punches], but he has also gotten up from the canvas [to win]. I think the punches that connected on Amir Khan would have taken out anyone. Therefore, I consider it a myth....the idea that Amir Khan can not endure [any punches]. On the contrary, I think he's a very strong fighter - one who went twelve rounds with [Marcos] Maidana, who is someone who punches hard."
