Canelo vs Khan 2016 early predictions: British won't stand a chance against Mexican champ, says Matthew Hatton

Retired British boxer Matthew Hatton knows what it takes to go head-to-head with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and the retired British boxer is well aware of Amir Khan’s tough task of beating the Mexican champ come fight night.

Hatton, the sibling of former pro boxer and current promoter Ricky, believes Alvarez will be too strong for Khan when both fighters meet in the ring on Cinco de Mayo weekend at T-Mobile Arena. According to the former European welterweight champ, the bout’s 155-pound catchweight would not be in full effect, with Alvarez expected to rehydrate at fight night.

Like us on Facebook

"I hope Amir can win the fight and it would be great for British boxing to have one of our boxers beat such a big name, but to be honest I just can't see him winning the fight," Hatton told ESPN. "He can cause Alvarez a lot of problems but my gut instinct is that Canelo is far too strong and powerful, even with the catchweight.”

Hatton took Alvarez to an action-packed 12-round match in 2011, but the 34-year-old British lost to a bigger and stronger Canelo via unanimous decision. Khan, who has been fighting in the welterweight division since 2013, could suffer the same fate against Alvarez, but Carl Froch, a four-time super-middleweight champion and columnist for Sky Sports, thinks the Bolton welterweight has what it takes to claim the Mexican’s WBC strap.

“To take Canelo on - up at least 10lbs in weight - deserves the utmost respect and for the fans it will be a great fight. For Khan, it will be a huge risk but I honestly think he can win this,” Froch wrote. “If Khan uses his speed and his range and stays on his toes for the full 12 rounds, he has a real chance.”

Khan revealed he will be looking to come in the ring at around 165 pounds, which the 29-year-old admitted is his natural weight during fight nights. However, Alvarez could bulge up to more than 170 pounds, and it is still a huge gap for Khan’s target mass.