Jermell Charlo, the reigning and undisputed junior middleweight world champion, will step up to the super middleweight division to challenge Canelo Alvarez. The bout headlines the Saturday, September 30 event from Las Vegas in T-Mobile Arena.
Jermell Charlo Excited For Opportunity To Face Canelo Alvarez
Reigning and undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo will take on Canelo Alvarez this month for his super middleweight title.
The bout headlines the Saturday, September 30 event from Las Vegas and the T-Mobile Arena. It will air on Showtime pay-per-view with Canelo Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions also serving as promoters.
Charlo, a native of Houston, moved to 35-1-1 last year with a 10th round knockout of Brian Castano to retain his titles. That night, he also captured the WBO light middleweight crown.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life and now it’s time to put on for my city,” Charlo said. “Put up or shut up and do what I do. I’m facing one of the best fighters in the world, you have to be excited for this moment.
“Now is the right time for this fight. We’re in our primes and at our best. I wanna shake the doubters off and prove to the world why I’m in this position. There’s a reason I made it this far. I’m gonna show what I’m made of. Everything I’ve done since I was eight years old, I’m putting it all on the line now.”
Only a 2018 decision loss to Tony Harrison has Charlo from an unbeaten record, as he also battled Castano to a draw. He avenged that Harrison defeat a year later, finishing Harrison in the 11th round.
“Of course there’s pressure. We have to be dominant and not just rely on a knockout,” Charlo said. “I have to beat him for 12 rounds. I have to do what I have to do in the ring to protect myself while still being vicious.
“This is a dream come true, just like winning undisputed, winning a world title and making it out the mud was. Once you get this far and see yourself prospering, you just want to keep bringing it. I’m staying focused on handling business.”
Prior to turning pro, Charlo won bronze at the 2005 Junior Olympics and went 56-8 as an amateur overall.
