A victory over Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez would define Jermell Charlo's entire career, the 33-year-old said at a media workout Monday in Houston, Texas.
It is hard to argue otherwise as a win would be a pinnacle, pound-for-pound achievement.
After winning all of the major world championships at super welterweight, on September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Charlo challenges Canelo for the Mexican boxer's undisputed status at super middleweight.
"If I accomplish this goal," said Charlo, "it'll be hard to top. I'll be in the record book with the greats of boxing for a long time."
His coach Derrick James, who also trains Errol Spence Jr. and Frank Martin, said: "Having two undisputed championships at the same time would be amazing. It would be historic for Jermell."
Charlo continued: "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.
"Of course there’s pressure. We have to be dominant and not just rely on a knockout. 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."
James, meanwhile, said he wants his fighter to "impose his will" in the fight, and show Canelo "who he is." He said: "You have to stop [Canelo] from being his great self."
Charlo finished by remarking: "I’m so dialed in as far as my team and everyone around me. I just need to get in the ring and do what I have to do."
The Canelo-Charlo fight airs as a Showtime Sports pay-per-view at an $84.99 price point.
