By Miguel Rivera
Retired Hall of Fame referee and expert analyst for several media outlets, Joe Cortez, expects a massacre when Amir Khan steps in the ring with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez on May 7th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Khan, a former champion at junior welterweight, is currently a top contender for the welterweight world title. He will move up by eight pounds to 155-pounds to challenge Canelo for the WBC middleweight championship.
Not everyone believes the fight will be competitive due to the size difference and Canelo's ability to rehydrate to over 170-pounds on the night of a fight. There is no rehydration clause in the fight agreement, so Canelo is able to put on as much weight as possible following the weigh-in.
Khan has been knocked out as a lightweight and a junior welterweight. The British star is unbeaten at welterweight, but he's yet to face any punchers in that division.
His three welterweight opponents, Devon Alexander, Chris Algieri and Luis Collazo are not regarded as punchers. Canelo is regarded as a big puncher with a lot of physical strength.
Khan has a clear advantage in speed and he is the more skilled fighter of the two.
Speed or no speed, Cortez gives Khan absolutely no shot in the fight and he predicts the fight will end early once Canelo lets his hands go.
"Amir Khan is a complete fighter at his level and his weight, but this fight is like putting a bull against a calf. Canelo has a lot of punching power, he is much stronger. When [Canelo] starts landing upstairs and to the body, that's going to be the end. The fight is going to end quickly. Khan does not have the capability of withstanding that. He has no chance against Canelo. The doctors and the referee will have to be prepared to stop the unnecessary punishment. This is not a fight for Canelo," Cortez told El Vocero.
