Insights from Amir Khan on the Upcoming Bout
Amir Khan, the only professional boxer to have faced both Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford, has shared his insights on the highly anticipated upcoming bout between the two champions. The retired fighter has experienced defeat at the hands of both men, having suffered a stunning knockout from Canelo in 2016, and a TKO loss to Crawford in 2019 when his corner threw in the towel due to an accidental low blow.
Fight Details
The showdown is set for September 13 in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, where Alvarez, now 35 years old, will defend his undisputed super-middleweight championship against Crawford, who is 37 and returns to the ring after previously securing undisputed titles at super-lightweight and welterweight. Notably, this fight marks a significant step for Crawford as he will compete at a career-high weight of 168 pounds, much heavier than his previous bout at 154 pounds last year, where he secured a victory against Israel Madrimov.
Khan’s Perspective on the Fight
Khan expressed his admiration for Crawford’s bravery in taking on a formidable opponent like Canelo.
“There are weights for a reason in boxing,”
Khan remarked to The Ring, adding that he respects Crawford’s decision to challenge Alvarez at this stage of his career. Khan speculated that Crawford might see vulnerabilities in Canelo that others have overlooked, pondering whether this could be the opportune moment for Crawford to outmaneuver him.
As a supporter of Crawford, Khan highlighted his friend’s impressive boxing intelligence, stating,
“His boxing IQ is exceptional, and he perceives the game differently.”
While he acknowledges Canelo’s punching power, Khan believes Crawford possesses the capability to present a genuine threat to the Mexican star.
Previous Encounters
In a past encounter, Crawford knocked Khan down in the first round before winning the fight in the sixth. Notably, Crawford was in Khan’s corner during the latter’s final fight in 2022, where Khan faced a defeat against Kell Brook in a highly publicized match that concluded years of rivalry. Intriguingly, Crawford had previously fought and stopped Brook in four rounds back in 2020.
