Expert Sports Picks: Saturday May 7th from Las Vegas W.B.C. Jr. middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez will face Amir Khan at 11 PM ET on Pay-Per-View. Canelo Alvarez vs Amir Khan Odds have Alvarez -485 with 70% of boxing predictions on Alvarez moneyline. Alvarez, 46-1-1, 32 KO’s, is coming off an impressive decision win over Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto. Khan, 31-3, 19 KO’s, will be coming off an 11-month layoff after looking unimpressive in a decision win over contender Chris Algieri. Who wins this match-up between the United Kingdom’s best against the future of boxing in Canelo? ESPN2 News gives away their expert boxing picks for this W.B.C. title bout. Canelo Alvarez vs Amir Khan Odds have Khan as a +385 moneyline underdog (Bet $100 to win $385)
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Canelo Alvarez – Boxer: The stocky 5’8″ Alvarez is an aggressive and intelligent boxer/puncher with a deadly body attack. Alvarez, 25, throws whistling combinations with excellent power, especially in the left hook. Alvarez has a fast and accurate jab that he fires from an air-tight guard. Alvarez is a skilled counterpuncher with oustanding timing and accuracy. Alvarez is a slick target with excellent ring vision and subtle side-to-side head movement. The bull-necked Canelo has never been off his feet and has displayed a solid chin throughout his career. On the downside, Canelo has good but not great athleticism and he must be set to punch. Alvarez’s aggressive style causes him to catch heavy leather while trading. Canelo fights in explosive bursts but can be inactive for long stretches. Canelo Alvarez vs Amir Khan Odds give Canelo an 83% chance of winning
Amir Khan – Boxer: Khan started his career at featherweight but appears to have filled into his 5’8″ Jr. middleweight frame. Khan, 29, has electric hand speed, quick darting footwork and good power in both hands. Khan is at his best boxing on his toes with classy combinations but also has the ability to brawl and rip to the body. Khan’s active and lighting quick jab can control fights, especially against short-armed fighters. Defensively, Khan has excellent hand placement and sound fundamentals but ordinary head-movement. Khan’s biggest question mark has always been his chin which has resulted in 2 knockout defeats. Khan’s chin is not quite porcelain but a well aimed shot from even a modest puncher can turn the tide against the Brit. As fast as Khan’s hands are he is not very accurate and can be countered with big punches.
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ESPN2 News Bottom Line: Canelo is fighting in rarefied air right now and Khan will not have enough will to win against the bigger hitter. Khan has built up his physique but nothing can improve his punch resistance. Khan would have to roll the dice and hold his ground in the danger zone to beat Canelo but we don’t see him going for the glory against the red-headed tough guy. Expect Khan to put on his track shoes and run from Canelo for as long as he can. Expect Alvarez to take the air out of Khan’s tires with bass thumping bodyshots. Khan will get off to a fast start against the slow-starting Mexican but will fade down the stretch. Bet 3 units on Canelo moneyline boxing odds the day of the fight when his price drops to around -400 because of loyal Khan backers.
ESPN2 Boxing Predictions: Canelo Alvarez by decision +375 at BOVADA.LV
Canelo vs Khan COMPLETE ODDS
Canelo by KO: -225
Canelo by decision: +375
Khan by KO: +1200
Khan by decision: +425
Draw: +2200
Canelo/Khan Fight Picks 1-10 Scale
Height/Reach: 6/7
Strength/Size: 8/7
Power: 9/7
Hand Speed/Accuracy: 8/8
Stamina: 8/8
Defense: 8/7
Chin: 8/5
Agility: 7/9
Jab: 8/8
Bodypunching/In-Fight: 8/7
Boxing Ability: 8/8
Intelligence: Canelo +1
Confidence/Will To Win: Canelo +1
Cuts/Injury/Age/Inactivity: Canelo +1
Judges Scoring: Canelo +4
Trainer: –
ESPN2 News Fight Odds: Alvarez -550
