Guadalajara boxer Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will defend his WBC World Middleweight title against Great Britain’s Amir Khan on May 7 in Las Vegas. 

The fight will be part of the traditional Cinco De Mayo weekend and matches two of boxing’s most popular and powerful fighters competing in the primes of their careers. 

Alvarez has lost just once in 48 professional fights – to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2014. Last November, he defeated future Miguel Cotto for the WBC Middleweight title. 

Khan, born in Bolton, England, won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.  He has lost three of his 34 professional fights and is the current holder of the WBC Silver Welterweight and the WBA International Welterweight titles.

Although pundits will heavily favor Alvarez, fight promoter Oscar De La Hoya says the bout is closely matched. “Those who predicted that (Canelo) would take an easy fight for his first defense have been proven wrong once again.”

Alvarez also believes Khan is a worthy opponent. “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.” 

Khan is not fazed by facing one the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. “I know I have the speed and ability to beat him.”