![Boxer Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez from Mexico (L) and England's Amir Khan (2R) pose during their final press conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 4, 2016 . The boxers will fight for the WBC Middleweight title on May 7, 2016 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. / AFP PHOTO / John Gurzinski / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by John Gurzinski has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Middleweight] instead of [Welterweight]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.](https://www.eaglenews.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/000_A863K-1024x673.jpg)
The boxers will fight for the WBC Middleweight title on May 7, 2016 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. / AFP PHOTO
The British boxer, who normally boxes at welterweight, faces a daunting battle against the hard-hitting Alvarez on Saturday in a fight which many believe is a risk too far for the 29-year-old from Bolton.
However Khan insists he is relishing the prospect of star billing after enduring years of frustration trying unsuccessfully to land a bout against the now retired Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
“It’s my time and I’m going to grab it with both hands,” Khan told a press conference.
“It’s been my dream to get a big fight like this in Las Vegas and I’m not going to let it go.
“Come this fight you’re going to see the best Amir Khan. Canelo’s a tough guy. He’s strong but we’re going to be ready for what he brings to the table,” added Khan, who is 31-3 with 19 knockouts.
Khan, who is of Pakistani descent, also referenced the US presidential election campaign rhetoric of likely Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has vowed to bar Muslims from entering the United States while promising to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.
“Who knows? This could be the last fight for me and Canelo in Las Vegas if Donald Trump becomes president,” joked Khan, a Muslim.
World Boxing Council middleweight champion Alvarez (46-1, 32 knockouts) meanwhile said he was confident his power would be too much for Khan.
“I’m very happy with the work that I’ve done — he’s a very fast, elusive, tricky fighter. I know the work I’ve done and I’m confident I can go in there and break him down,” Alvarez said through an interpreter.
The bout’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya described the fight at Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena as a “classic case of speed versus power.”
De La Hoya insisted that the idea of a Khan upset was not outside the realm of possibility — citing the example of Leicester City’s remarkable title triumph in the English Premier League.
“Whovever thought that Leicester City, a 5,000-1 shot could win? Whoever thought that Muhammad Ali could knock out George Foreman?,” De La Hoya said.
“This is a fighter who is willing to fight the very best. There’s a reason why Floyd Mayweather didn’t want to fight him, why Manny Pacquiao didn’t want to fight him.”
© 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse
