CANELO ALVAREZ wants to fight Gennady Golovkin next after knocking out Amir Khan in the sixth round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. According to the Mexican’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, negotiations will begin straight away.
“We will have a conversation [with Golovkin] tomorrow,” De La Hoya repeated several times during a long press conference. “The negotiations will be behind closed doors.”
Alvarez is the WBC middleweight champion – though this bout with Khan was fought at a catchweight of 155lbs. Golovkin, who was ringside, holds the IBF and WBA titles and later accused Alvarez of running scared.
“I’m not in this sport because I’m afraid, I’m willing to fight anyone,” said Alvarez. “All I worry about is winning fights. We’re not going to fight because it’s the WBC mandatory, we’re going to fight for the pride. I am want to make him an offer. I’m, happy to fight him and I’m happy to beat him.”
De La Hoya added: “He would have fought him in the ring tonight if he could have, and that’s the fight to make. I really hope we can come to an agreement.”
Repeatedly reporters asked if negotiations would really begin. Some quoted the 15-day period the WBC have enforced for the fight to happen – and both sides have previously agreed to this. Both fighter and promoter promised that the weight would not be an issue, after Golovkin’s team expressed concerns he would be asked to fight at a catch-weight.
“That’s the fight you guys want, correct?” De La Hoya said. “If that’s the fight that everybody wants, if that’s what Canelo wants, I will wake up early tomorrow and make some calls.”
The promoter praised Khan’s efforts, revealing he was concerned by his fast start. Many observers had Khan ahead at the time of the stoppage, although only one judge agreed, with two favouring the Mexican after the five completed rounds.
“Amir Khan is one of the bravest fights on the planet today,” said De La Hoya. “I was worried [that Khan was winning]. He is willing to be great. He didn’t lose nothing tonight. That’s exactly why we chose him for this fight, why we love watching Khan in fights because he’s so exciting. I have always said he’s too brave for his own good.”
Alvarez also admitted he had trouble in the early going, and after knocking Khan cold, was concerned about his condition.
“He was a little difficult at first. I knew I had to keep to my game-plan and it was a feint that led to that punch. I never train a knockout, but if it happens it happens,” Alvarez said of the brutal finish. “You want to win by knockout but you don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Khan went to hospital as a precautionary measure following the bout, but text De La Hoya during the post-fight press conference to tell him he was okay.
