By Miguel Rivera
Eddy Reynoso, trainer for WBC middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32KOs), is taking Amir Khan (31-3, 19KOs) very seriously.
Canelo will defend his title against Khan on May 7th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight is taking place at a catch-weight of 155-pounds, with Khan going up in weight by eight-pounds for the challenge.
Because of the weight difference and some questions about Khan's chin, the British star is a very big underdog in the upcoming contest.
Khan holds the advantage in hand and foot speed, and he is likely the more skilled of the two fighters, but Canelo is bigger, stronger and very talented in his own right
The fight has created a certain level of criticism that Canelo is facing a fighter who is two divisions under him.
Reynoso wants to remind the critics that both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao rejected potential opportunities to face Khan.
Khan had pursued Mayweather for over two years and was passed over several times. The fight seemed to be close for last September, but Mayweather once again passed him over in favor of significant underdog Andre Berto. Earlier this, there were serious discussions for Khan to face Pacquiao in April. Once again he was passed over - with Pacquiao electing to do a trilogy fight with Timothy Bradley.
"The challenge is not only to win but to show that [Canelo] is getting better and still learning. We have worked hard in all aspects, we learn from each of the fighters that Canelo has faced and with that experience we work hard against every style and keep improving," Reynoso told ESPN Deportes.
"You have to remember that neither Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao wanted to fight him. He was an Olympic medalist and he deserves our respect. Olympic boxing is different from the professional ranks, but he's gained great experience....plus he is a tall fighter, young and strong."