Undisputed super-welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo, in his own words, is not surprised that he got the call to face Canelo Alvarez on September 30.
Jermell will have to step up two weight divisions as he attempts to emulate what Terence Crawford achieved this last weekend in Las Vegas and become a fighter who has achieved undisputed status in two-weight classes.
However, the task facing Jermell is formidable and will be the biggest test of his career to date when he faces the undisputed champion at 168 lbs in Canelo.
Canelo announced in June that he had signed a three-fight agreement with Premier Boxing Champions & Showtime, the lead broadcaster for the promotional entity. Speculation suggested that Canelo’s first opponent of his deal would be Jermell’s brother, Jermall, who currently holds the WBC world middleweight title. However, Jermall was ruled out due to injuries and personal issues outside of the ring.
Speaking to Showtime during last weekend’s undisputed welterweight encounter between Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford, Jermell i not surprised that he got the call to take on Canelo on September 30 at a venue which has yet to be confirmed.
“I wasn’t surprised [to get the call to fight Alvarez],” Charlo said on Showtime.
“This is nothing new for me. This is something that I knew was going to manifest anyways. It’s happening. September 30, I’ll be prepared.
“My brother is not capable of fighting right now. So he’s not available. When I got the call, aye, I’m down for whatever. I want all the smoke. I’m here for whatever; you know what I’m saying? It only takes a phone call for me to make it happen.”
Tim Tszyu is Jermell’s current mandatory challenger courtesy of the WBO and is now seemingly left high and dry by Charlo as he prepares to take on Canelo in the biggest night of his career. At the time of publication, it is currently unclear what the four respective governing bodies will decide regarding their super-welterweight world titles. Does Jermell keep them, vacate, or will he be stripped of them? Causing the fragmentation of the 154lb titles.
Jermell, when prompted about Tim Tszyu and his current predicament, was not the most supportive of his mandatory challenger and what he brings to the table regarding elevating Jermell’s career further.
“I know Tim Tszyu was my [mandatory] challenger. But he does nothing for my career,” said Charlo.
“He still needs to build up himself, build up his career. I’m cool with that. But I was down to fight him anyways. But when we ran into the injury, and now it’s like – we get an opportunity like this, we’re gonna go ahead and take that.”
