Jermell Charlo Aims to Prove Elite Against Canelo Alvarez
Undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) is a week away from the most significant fight of his career. On September 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada, he will move up two weight classes to face undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs). Charlo views this fight as an opportunity to cement his legacy.
PUTTING EVERYTHING ON THE LINE
Many in the boxing community were surprised and caught off-guard when the fight was announced. Some have accused Charlo of accepting the fight as a money grab. But as he explained during an appearance on The Higher Learning podcast, the resident of Richmond, Texas said his upcoming match has nothing to do with money.
“This fight right here is a legacy statement fight. I believe it puts on a different face in boxing . . . It also graduates you from a young, hungry prospect to a contender to a champion to an elite veteran. So, when they speak on Jermell Charlo, win, lose, or draw, they know they’re dealing with a dominant fighter.”
Alvarez has been one of the standard bearers of the sport for the last decade. Charlo fully understands what he’s up against. He gave the following assessment of the reigning super middleweight champion:
“I see a guy that’s strong. He makes great decisions when he’s fighting. He doesn’t just run in there like, ‘I’m the biggest, baddest wolf who is going to knock everybody out.’”
READY FOR THE CHALLENGE
Iron Man said he’s taken a very meticulous approach to putting on the extra weight for this fight. As far as what it will take to win, Charlo said it’s a matter of brains and brawn.
“Some fights, you got to show different things, and every fight is different. With Canelo, you just don’t go in there and fight one-dimensional. You gotta go in there with power, you gotta go in there with speed, good head movement, defense. Everything got to be on point when you fight Canelo.”
Charlo believes he has the talent and the will to win. Come September 30 in Las Vegas, he plans to put on the performance of a lifetime and show the world that he is a truly special fighter.
