Canvas Talk: A Inside View of the PPV Fight Between Canelo Alvarez – Amir Khan

Photos & Article by Cynthia “Cindy Lou” Saldaña

In this week’s edition of “Canvas Talk” it’s all about “Canelo”, that’s right the WBC, Ring and Lineal Middleweight Champion of the world. Friday morning was an early morning two and half hour drive for “Stacks” and I to Las Vegas to cover the events, which included the weigh-ins, Friday Night fights at the Toshiba Plaza in front of the new T-Mobile Arena and the fight Saturday night between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Amir “King” Khan.

As we arrived at the MGM and checked in to obtain our credentials, we were told a bus would provide transportation to the new arena which is across the strip from the MGM. So we waited and waited, no bus ever showed up. So along with James De La Rosa, his team, Rasidi Ellis and his team we took the 15 minute walk from the Grand Garden Arena to the Toshiba Plaza in front of T-Mobile Arena for the weigh-ins.

Not the way I wanted to start my day. When we got to the Toshiba Plaza, we fought through hundreds of fans to get to the media section. The beer was flowing, Mexican flags were waiving and the Mariachi music was blaring for nearly three hours before the weigh-ins began. As the international media started arriving, videos of Canelo played on the arena big screens and it was more than apparent that Canelo is being setup to be the next big star in boxing. Vendors sold Canelo Bandannas and merchandise and the Tecate Beer booths gave away fight posters. Golden Boy really knows how to cater to the heavy Mexican crowd on Cinco De Mayo weekend.

Then the moment of truth, it was time for the fighters to hit the scale. Amir came in at a solid 155lbs he looked strong and healthy on the scale. Now with that being said, I knew that was as big as Khan was going to get. I didn’t expect a big differential in his weight from the weigh-in to fight night weight for Amir. Next on the scale was Canelo. Alvarez also weighed in at 155lbs and looked a bit drained, although I knew that Saturday Canelo would easily be tipping 175lbs. The pair then faced off with the same show of mutual respect that has characterized the long build-up to their fight. After talking with a few of the international media from Great Britain and Mexico we all came to the same conclusion. Canelo would bulk up fight night, the weight would slow him down, and Khan would do great until he got hit.

The predictions were pretty mutual between experts in the media, novice fight fans and casuals alike. Saturday night those predictions came true, when with one punch Canelo turned out the lights on Khan. Canelo feinted with a left then came over the top with a crushing overhand right that landed flush on Khan’s chin. The devastation from the punch sent Khan flying back onto the canvas, his head bounced on the surface and he laid motionless as referee Kenny Bayless waived off the fight at the 2:37 mark of round 6. A Concerned Canelo did not celebrate and knelt down next to an unconscious Khan.

I felt for Khan, I never want to see a fighter hurt. Canelo went into the ring that night and did what he was paid to do, he did what was expected of him.

He knocked out Amir Khan and defended his titles. Now for some odd reason or another the social media outcry began. “Coward” “Pick on someone your own size” “You’re ducking GGG” “Khan has a glass chin”. Well, first and foremost, no one forced Khan to move up in weight and no one forced him to sign the contract. Khan was actually out boxing Canelo at the time of the KO. Canelo was the stronger fighter has had trouble with true boxers. Floyd Mayweather, JR. gave Canelo his lone defeat, and Erislandy Lara gave Alvarez all he could handle. A true boxer could beat Canelo. So for Canelo’s first title defense it could have been worse.

So what’s next? “GGG” Vs Canelo? Hopefully, Jerry Jones did have a ringside seat Saturday, and Texas is a Canelo stronghold making AT&T a realistic venue for a fall fight. Maybe a Lemieux Vs Canelo match-up. Maybe Canelo against whoever the hell he wants. In this day and age of low risk high reward, Canelo will continue to fight whoever he wants at whatever weight he wants until the WBC steps in and mandates the “GGG” fight to happen next or strips Alvarez of his title.

For Canelo a “GGG” fight and victory will rocket his Mexican super-stardom to universal proportions. Golovkin and Alvarez need to make this fight happen. This is not just the biggest money fight for both fighters, but it’s the best fight for boxing. Canelo and “GGG” will become even bigger stars no matter the outcome. I will actually pay for a “GGG” – Canelo fight. No way I will pay for a rumored Mayweather, JR.-Pacquiao II. “GGG” and Canelo are some of boxing’s best and need to be center stage, fans don’t need to be stuck in the past.

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