Amir Khan can eclipse Floyd Mayweather performance against Canelo Alvarez says trainer Virgil Hunter

Amir Khan's trainer, Virgil Hunter, is confident his fighter can outshine Floyd Mayweather when he takes on Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in May. WBC middleweight champion Canelo has just one defeat to his name in his professional career, a split decision loss to the 38-year-old American in September 2013.

On that night, Mayweather avoided the Mexican's heavy punching power, cleverly evading his younger opponent and jabbing his way to victory, earning what was in reality a comprehensive decision win.

Hunter believes Khan's key to success is improving on the Mayweather blueprint, saying his superior hand speed and punching power will guide him to victory.

"Amir is bigger than Floyd, [has a longer reach] and at this time, I know when he's in good shape, his tank is much fuller because of his age," he told Sky Sports News HQ.

"But definitely that's the fight you want to look at and see where you can capitalise on, but also add a few edges to it that maybe Floyd didn't do that night because he had control of that fight from very early. Amir also possesses enough pop to keep him honest."

Khan will make a significant step up to middleweight to take on Canelo on 7 May having previously pursued a rematch with Danny Garcia, who he lost to by knockout in 2012. An all-British showdown with Kell Brook had also been touted for the summer but those plans have been shelved in favour of his world title showdown.

Canelo, meanwhile, bested Miguel Cotto to win the vacant WBC title in November 2015 and initially looked set for a title defence against the hard-hitting Gennady Golovkin before the Khan fight was announced.