Canelo vs. Khan - British Trade People Predict The Fight

By Chris Williamson

As Amir Khan's audacious WBC and linear middleweight title (weight asterisk included) challenge approaches, Boxingscene took a Copperbox ringside poll to gauge how boxing insiders feel Khan will fare against the young Mexican champion in Las Vegas next Saturday night.

Fleet Street veteran Colin Hart predicts a conclusive Canelo win.  “Khan might even lead for a few rounds, but Canelo will catch up with him, I should think,” stated Hart with little doubt in his voice.

M.C Mark Burdis, speaking in between ring duties, is less sure than Mr. Hart, telling Boxingscene he'd love to see Khan win the title: “Khan is a lovely kid and it wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world if he did it, would it?”  Before adding wistfully, “But the weight!”

Dev Sahni runs Digital media at Boxnation, first following Khan as a fan all the way to Las Vegas prior to landing his “dream job” at the country’s only dedicated boxing TV channel.

Sahni is hoping for a British win and reckons Khan will shine early before being stopped late: “(He'll do) really well initially, possibly even better than Mayweather.”

“But he will come out of it with loads of credit,” he added.

Sahni's Boxnation colleague and “Charlie's Web” co-star Charlie Webster considers herself a friend of the Bolton man as well as a big fan.  She paid tribute to Khan's massive heart for even taking the fight.

“Over the last couple of years, Khan has been out there chasing the big fights—(he has been) chasing Mayweather, chasing Pacquiao—and now he has Canelo,” she said.

“If he is fast at this weight and hasn't lost his speed then winning is a real possibility.”  However, she cautiously added that the Boxnation crew had watched promos of Canelo earlier that day, reminding her what an “Incredible” fighter the Mexican is.

“I love him (Khan) for his bravery—imagine if he does it.”

Mick Hennessey, promoter of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, now counts Khan's friend and former manager Asif Vali as part of the Team Fury operation.  Hennessey told Boxingscene his prediction: “Canelo late, but fair play to Amir for challenging himself.  The kid deserves a lot of credit and good luck to him.”

As you can see, the UK boxing fraternity believes that the Bolton-based boxer has bitten off a little more, a little heavier, than he can chew in the strong young Mexican champion, but there is also of overwhelming support and admiration for the challenger.

That support will continue to grow during fight week and, as Webster said, the Bolton-based boxer has already shown a lot of gumption by signing on to fight Alvarez at a new weight and away from home.