By Edward Chaykovsky
British boxer Amir Khan (31-3, 19KOs) is feeling very good with the extra weight being added to his body.
Khan is bulking up to challenge Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32KOs) for the WBC middleweight championship.
Their match takes place on May 7th, and Khan will jump up by eight pounds, from 147 to 155-pounds, to challenge Canelo for his world title. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will host the contest and HBO Pay-Per-View will carry the event.
According to Khan, he plans to enter the fight around 163 to 165.
When the fight was first announced, there was immediate concern that Khan's added mass would affect his advantage in hand and foot speed. Based on his performances in the gym, Khan says there are no changes at all in his physical abilities. He actually reports that a lot of things have improved.
Khan feels more durable with the added weight and says his chin is stronger from not having to squeeze down to welterweight. As long as he stays cautious and aware of his surroundings, he doubts Canelo will be capable of knocking him out.
“I think I’m just as fast and just as quick,” Khan told The Las Vegas Review Journal. “I see it when I’m sparring. My speed is still there. I’m still quick.
“But where I think the added weight helps is with my durability. People say I can’t take a punch. But I think I’ve got a stronger chin, and as long as I don’t do something careless and leave myself wide open, he’s not going to knock me out.”