De La Hoya: Size Does NOT Matter in Canelo vs. Khan

By Edward Chaykovsky

From the moment this fight was announced, Amir 'King' Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) brushed off the incoming comments which claim he is too small to overcome the naturally bigger Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs).

Khan, who fights at the welterweight limit of 147, will move up by eight pounds to challenge Canelo for the WBC middleweight title at 155-pounds.

The HBO Pay-Per-View fight will take place on May 7th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The PPV will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Canelo usually rehdyrates to 170-pounds or more, and Khan has never fought above the welterweight limit. Canelo's last four fights took place at 155.

Khan says the outcome of the contest will be determined by skill.

He has an ally in that mindset, with Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya siding with skill over size.

"An old saying tells us, 'styles make fights.' These fighters have the chance to make this fight not just for them but also for the fans. This is speed vs. power. Khan has amazing footwork, but Canelo has power and strength," De La Hoya said.
 
"Size does not matter in this fight. What does is skill, speed, power, intelligence and experience. If you can be in Las Vegas to watch it live in person, watch it on the best boxing network out there-HBO. This will be a high intensity fight."

In the buildup to this fight, De La Hoya has often referenced the last fight of his pro career, when Manny Pacquiao moved up from 135 to 147 to easily batter him in 2008. There are similarities and obvious differences. De La Hoya was at the tail-end of his career and Canelo is in the early stage of his prime. De La Hoya also drained himself to make the welterweight limit.