Canelo Alvarez vs Amir Khan set for May 7

Canelo Alvarez will have his first fight of 2016 as he takes on Amir Khan at 155 pounds. 

Ever since Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) took down Miguel Cotto last year, everyone had wondered who he would step into the ring with next as he continues his meteoric rise up the Middleweight ranks. We all knew that his next fight would be coming in May, we just didn’t know against who exactly.

Well, now we do.

It was officially announced on Tuesday that Canelo will step into the ring on May 7 in Las Vegas where he will take on someone that is most certainly a worthy contender in Amir Khan (31-3, 19 KOs.)

The WBC, Ring and Lineal Middleweight Champion of the world seems pretty excited to get back in there, and especially against someone like Khan.

“As the middleweight champion of the world, I will take on the best fighters in the sport and on Cinco De Mayo weekend, I look forward to making the first defense of my titles,” said Canelo Alvarez. “Amir was a decorated amateur, a two-time world champion and is in the prime of his career. Fans are in for a great fight on May 7.”

Of course, as you’d imagine, these two will meet at 155 pounds and not 160, which is still something in the spotlight. For as good as this fight can potentially be on May 7, there’s not a question that the battle everyone wants to see is Canelo taking on Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, but GGG would much rather have the fight at the Middleweight limit of 160 pounds, while Alvarez is comfortable at the catch weight of 155.

These two might indeed meet down the road one day, but for now they’ll each have to get through some more roadblocks. On May 7, Canelo has Amir Khan standing in front of him as his next one.

The fight is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and will be broadcast on HBO PPV.