Amir Khan couldn’t have fought a better fight against Canelo Alvarez. He was speedy, landed more and was up on all scorecards heading into the sixth round. It was close, but then Alvarez found his range as the fight went on. The power shots that were whiffing early finally landed and put Khan out cold.
And as he was being interviewed in the middle of the ring, he called out the undefeated Gennady Golovkin. If that fight happens, it’ll probably be one of the biggest boxing matches without the names Pacquiao, Mayweather or Klitschko in years.
This could be one of the best KOs of 2016.
https://twitter.com/ProduKtJRG/status/729154422689955840
https://twitter.com/ZProphet_MMA/status/729154788944797696
That knockout was disturbing. He looks okay though. Khan has balls of steel. #CaneloKhan pic.twitter.com/VneznJGmt0
— Round By Round Boxing (@RBRBoxing) May 8, 2016
Khan is out cold! No flinching, no movement a la Pacquiao! #CaneloKhan
— David Kano (@realdkano) May 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/RalphStrangis/status/729154082582073344
Alvarez came into the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as undoubtedly the favorite against Khan, who would be moving up two weight classes to take on the WBC middleweight champ. It’s not quite Conor McGregor moving up to fight Nate Diaz, but some were calling the 155 pound catchweight title bout “140 versus 160.” This was a big deal.
In boxing you have greats and you have legends.. You have to do something legendary to make you a legend.. #AndTheNew #CaneloKhan 🇬🇧
— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) May 7, 2016
The first few rounds showed off the speed of the fighters, and Khan was able to move in and out while scoring points at will.
Good game plan from khan, quick punches in and out. Don't get caught. #CaneloKhan
— AssedBaig (@AssedBaig) May 8, 2016
Canelo gets on the board in rd 3. 2-1 Khan. #CaneloKhan #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 8, 2016
I have Amir Khan winning the first 3 rounds. Canelo searching missing wildly looks desperate to land hook. #CaneloKhan
— BOXINGEGO (@Boxingego) May 8, 2016
The Twitter users, so confident in Khan winning, didn’t see the fight like the judges.
Many at ringside had Khan up going into the 6th but Alvarez was up 49-46 and 48-47 on two of the scorecards. Khan was up 48-47 on the third.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/ZProphet_MMA/status/729152701049778176
Canelo takes 5. Strong body work. Khan red around the eye. 4-1 Khan. Could be 3-2 Canelo. Good fight. Good. #CaneloKhan
— Ryan McKinnell (@RyanMcKinnell) May 8, 2016
Even though Khan was heroic in stepping up to fight the bigger man with the world championship on the line, it seemed like reports stating ticket sales were low was true. Boxing fans are notorious for arriving late, but this is ugly.
Late arriving crowd? Toward end of 2nd to last bout before #CaneloKhan. Taken high above T-Mobile Arena. #boxng pic.twitter.com/hMj2C277PU
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) May 8, 2016
Without Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather, boxing seems like it’s on the downturn in the States. Maybe a fight between Alvarez and Golovkin can generate some excitement among more casual boxing fans. This outcome leading to a Canelo/GGG fight could certainly do it.
