Amir Khan: No Issue Returning To 147 After Canelo Bout

By Edward Chaykovsky

British star Amir Khan feels confident that his body is fully capable of returning to the welterweight division in the future.

Khan is moving up by eight pounds to face Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez on May 7th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In order for Canelo's WBC middleweight championship to be at stake, Khan had to agree to a catch-weight of 155-pounds.

Khan (31-3-0, 19 KOs) has been out of the ring since last May's twelve round decision win over Chris Algieri. Canelo (46-1-1, 32 KOs) was in action last November, when he captured the WBC title with a twelve round decision over Miguel Cotto.

Even if he wins, it's hard to imagine Khan sticking around at the middleweight division - especially with IBO/WBA/IBF middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (46-1-1, 32KOs) being the mandatory challenger and having no intention of agreeing to any catch-weight.

To get ready for Canelo's size advantage, Khan has been bulking up with additional size and plenty of muscle. His own trainer, Virgil Hunter, does not expect his boxer to return to the welterweight division. Khan on the other hand believes he can still return to 147, where there are plenty of big fight opportunities for him.

The WBC has already stated - despite Khan's decision to move up in weight - he will retain his position as the mandatory challenger to welterweight champion Danny Garcia.

"Naturally, my body is a natural welterweight so I don't think it will be a problem coming back down to welterweight after this fight," Khan told Nick Parkinson. "It's my natural weight but for this fight I've got the chance to put on a few pounds and add more power. I've just had to change a few things."