Boxing News 2016: Khan Eyeing for Middleweight Run After Alvarez Fight; Marquez Only Wants Cotto for next Fight
Former unified WBA and IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan is open to make a run at middleweight after his upcoming title fight against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
Alvarez will be defending his WBC 160-pound title against Khan in a 155-pound catch-weight on May 7th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Throughout his nearly 11-year professional boxing career, Khan predominantly fought at the lightweight, light welterweight, and welterweight divisions, with his fight against Alvarez being his first time above 150-pounds.
But in a report by Corey Erdman for Boxingscene, "King Khan" says he is actually open to make a run at middleweight, noting how he is "happy" with the extra pounds and "not killing himself." He did clarify that he would be looking at how the fight with Alvarez goes first, before making any big decisions.
"I mean look, this weight could be amazing for me, where I feel strong and it suits me better. Naturally, I don't think I'm a middleweight," Khan said. "But who knows, by putting this extra bit of muscle and strength on, maybe it makes me better."
The winner of the fight between Khan and Alvarez will be slated to face the WBC's interim challenger Gennady Golovkin.
Golokvin, however, would need to win his upcoming fight against fellow undefeated fighter Dominic Wade on April 23rd in California.
Meanwhile, Mexican boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez only wants to face former WBC middleweight world champion Miguel Cotto next.
In another Boxingscene report, the 42-year old "El Dinamita" rejected the idea of a fight against current WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, and was adamant about fighting the Puerto Rican boxer instead.
"Jessie Vargas is a good fighter, but for me, it is more interesting to fight with Cotto," Marquez said. "Cotto's legacy is a great legacy, too."
Marquez went on to note that while Vargas has the belt on his side, legacy is still the "most important thing" for him.
