Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Jermell Charlo will have an important date against Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez and he knows that a knockout victory could make him one of boxing’s greats on September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The undisputed 154-pound champion will not let the fight with Canelo Álvarez go to a decision, which is why he plans to finish it on the fast track. In an interview offered to Cigar Talk, Charlo assured that After the Mexican, his objective is to send everyone he faces to sleep because he wants them to respect his blows.
“He puts me up there with the greats, especially if I erase the situation and knock him out and something crazy happens. I’m going to knock everyone out. Everyone has to go to sleep. I’m not here just for someone to hit me and hit me back. I want my punches to have respect,” she said.
Regarding how going up two categories to face Canelo Álvarez could affect him, Jermell Charlo indicated that there is nothing to worry about. because he has a solid team that is helping him to be the same 154-pound fighter at 168.
“I think that’s more of a concern for the fans and the people who are watching (about his possible burnout at 168 pounds). We have a solid team around us. We are working very hard. It doesn’t cost me anything to gain weight. Of course, hitting 154 is always a challenge, but I don’t think hitting 168 is going to make a difference. I’ll be the same Charlo that I am to anyone else”, he explained.
It should be noted that the American will gain 14 pounds to face the Mexican in the super middleweight division where he has no experience, but at the promotional press conference It could be noticed that the undisputed champion of 154 pounds looked bigger than the man from Guadalajara and it didn’t look like he was moving up two divisions, so size won’t be an issue.
What could take its toll on Jermell Charlo against Canelo Álvarez It is the inactivity on the ring because he has not seen action for almost a year and a half due to an injury he suffered in his hand. Despite this, the American assured that he has remained active training to arrive in the best way for the most important fight of his career where he could emulate the feat that only his compatriots Terence Crawford and Claressa Shields have achieved, becoming undisputed champion in two different weight categories.
Jermell Charlo, 33, last stepped into the ring in May 2022 when defended his undisputed 154-pound championship by knocking out Argentine Brian Castaño in the rematch The American has a record of 35 wins, 19 on the fast track, one setback and one tie.
For his part, Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, 33, defeated John Ryder by unanimous decision of the judges last May in Mexico after 12 years of absence from his land. The boxer from Guadalajara has a record of 59 wins (39 by knockout) and two losses in his career.
Keep reading:
· Jermell Charlo will raise his natural weight to 180 pounds and then cut to 168 and face Canelo Álvarez
· Óscar de la Hoya assures that Canelo Álvarez will beat Jermell Charlo: “He is the strongest fighter”
Óscar de la Hoya says that Terence Crawford would beat Canelo Álvarez in a possible fight at 168 pounds