Amir Khan
Khan says he will look to go into the fight at a similar weight as Alvarez to offset the difference in size. Getty Images

Amir Khan says the opportunity to face Canelo "Saul" Alvarez outstrips a potential all-British bout with Kell Brook. The 29-year-old will climb two weight divisions to take on the WBC light middleweight champion on 7 May in Las Vegas in what represents a daunting prospect for the former Olympic silver medallist.

The Briton side-stepped meetings with WBC and IBF welterweight champions Danny Garcia and Brook to face Mexican Canelo at the 155lbs weight category. Khan is set to step into the unknown having not fought since May 2015 and amid offers from elsewhere including from Manny Pacquiao.

Khan's career could have taken one of many roads this year but instead it will see him face Mexican Alvarez, who has just one defeat in his career to unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather. Despite the offer of a Wembley Stadium fight with Brook and being the mandatory challenger for a rematch with Garcia, Khan believes he is making the right decision.

"It is a bigger fight financially," he maintained. "Not only is it a bigger fight in England, it is a bigger fight world-wide and that is one of the reasons why I took it because this is a global fight. Especially in America it will be massive for my profile there, and in England.

"I am giving the British fans one of the biggest fights this year. No one ever expected this; the shock has made this fight even bigger. A lot of people think I am not going to be big or strong enough for this guy but I am a very big middleweight really."

Confirmation of the fight came as a huge surprise within the boxing fraternity, with Canelo in line to face unbeaten Kazakhstan fighter Gennady Golovkin. Khan meanwhile had multiple offers from other opponents but will instead bid to become a world champion for a third time.

The greatest challenge facing the Bolton-born fighter the vast natural size between the pair, a chasm which could come greater come fight night with Canelo confirming his fight weight could be something closer to 165lbs. Khan is however confident he will have an answer for Alvarez's size.

"This might be the real weight for me, I've never had that chance and this is the first time I am going to do this," he added. "I have seen fights where Canelo has fought guys who move well; guys who move well give him big problems so that is what I am have.

"If I was a flat-footed guy who was just going to stand there I think that would be the worst style for me and the worst fight for me. Because I am a mover and I have good reflexes and good movement I think it is one of the best fights for me. If I win this fight it will take me right up the middleweight rankings.

"He knows that I am a mover so he might come into the fight a little bit lighter so maybe he'll want to try and keep up with me. If he is 165lbs then we might be the same weight. Whatever weight he is we can have answers for. I am expecting the best Canelo because I am not looking at him being a lighter weight or a heavier weight I am just going to do my thing."

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