By Edward Chaykovsky
Amir Khan (31-4, 19KOs) is already plotting his next fight after suffering a brutal knockout defeat on Saturday night, when he moved up to a catch-weight of 155-pounds to challenge WBC middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (47-1-1, 33KOs).
Their fight headlined the first boxing event at the newly built T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
After boxing well for the first five rounds, disaster struck for the British star. Canelo landed a big right hand in the sixth to knock Khan out cold.
The winner of Saturday's fight was ordered to make a mandatory defense against IBO/WBA/IBF middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs). That fight could very well happen in the fall as the two sides have begun negotiations.
Khan is returning to the welterweight division.
Following the knockout loss, Khan dared Canelo to defend his title against Golovkin. Khan and his trainer, Virgil Hunter, believe Canelo is avoiding the scenario of facing a full middleweight. Canelo has been fighting at a catch-weight of 155-pounds in his last five contests. The issue of weight appears to be the biggest obstacle in reaching an agreement for Canelo-Golovkin.
If the fight actually takes place, Khan is siding with Golovkin to win.
“Will Canelo beat Golovkin? Canelo’s boxing skills aren’t as good and for me Golovkin edges it and is physically a big guy as well. Canelo should fight someone his own weight, and let’s see if that happens,” Khan said.
