By Keith Idec
Chris Algieri understands Amir Khan’s decision to challenge Canelo Alvarez.
Algieri doesn’t think, though, that Khan can pull off an upset in their WBC middleweight title fight May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Khan (31-3, 19 KOs), who defeated Algieri by unanimous decision 9½ months ago at Barclays Center, is about a 3-1 underdog against Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs).
“In terms of business, Khan and his people are not stupid,” Algieri told BoxingScene.com. “So I’m sure it’s gotta make sense. I commend him for taking a huge risk, moving up and fighting a very dangerous opponent. But at the same time, I can’t really see him winning that fight. It’s a very uphill battle, and not even just with size. Canelo is an extremely skilled and experienced young champion.”
Algieri didn’t predict a knockout defeat for Khan, but said Khan must be more careful defensively than usual against a bigger, stronger opponent.
“I wouldn’t say that Amir has a bad chin,” Algieri said. “People say that all the time. I just think that he allows himself to get hit clean more often than a lot of top guys do. When you’ve got a guy like Canelo, who’s a legitimate puncher and a really sharp, sharp puncher, it’s a difficult style matchup.”
The 32-year-old Algieri (21-2, 8 KOs) is scheduled to face Errol Spence Jr. (19-0, 16 KOs) in a welterweight bout April 16 at Barclays Center (NBC).
Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
