Jermell Charlo Has His Eyes On History In Upcoming Superfight With Canelo Álvarez
Since his arrival on the scene, Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo has been a dominant force in the sport of boxing. A Houston native, he quickly took to the “sweet science” following in the footsteps of his father Kevin, a former boxer, along with his twin brother Jermall who is presently the undefeated WBC middleweight champion.
After a stellar amateur career, he turned pro at the age of 17 and began to take boxing by storm. With his signature jab, accurate punching, and evasive defense, Charlo began his ascent into the professional ranks and hasn’t looked back.
Currently, he is the undisputed light middleweight world champion holding the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and Ring magazine titles.
In what is regarded as his biggest fight and toughest challenge to date, Charlo is set to face Canelo Álvarez Saturday night (Sept. 30) in Las Vegas for the undisputed super middleweight championship of the world. With a win, he would become just the second boxer ever to be undisputed champion in two different weight classes.
BET.com spoke with Charlo about growing up surrounded by boxing, why he’s embracing being the underdog in the fight, and his thoughts on the current state of boxing.
BET.com: For the Charlos, boxing is a family business. How was it growing up with your twin brother Jermall as you two developed as boxers?
Jermell Charlo: Growing up with a twin is one of the hardest and toughest things because it's been a personal challenge Jemall has been sitting right next to me my whole life and ironically, we chose the same career path. A lot of twins don't even like the same thing but I guess our mom and dad and the warrior spirit they put in us that we had no choice but to just do it the same and do it together. So it feels good now that we've made it to the top of the boxing world. We’re both champions and we've made history together. So it's been good and appreciative of our accomplishments.
BET.com: For this fight against Canelo Álvarez, the odds makers have you as an underdog. With all that you’ve accomplished in the ring, do you feel underestimated by a lot of boxing fans and analysts?
Charlo: I don't think that Canelo has underestimated me. A lot of that comes from people who never got into the ring or have been punched before. I do see and hear that Canelo has respect for me but all of that goes out the window at the end of the day when we get in the ring. I'm okay with being an underdog.
I'm the guy moving up in weight divisions fighting a guy at 168 lbs., who is the king of his division. That's what it's about because I'm the king at 154. It’s a win-win situation. I get to enjoy myself and make a lot of money, go back down in weight, and move around the board. When I win these belts at 168, then I can choose whatever weight division I want.
BET.com: In preparation for the bout, you worked with Derek James who was named the trainer of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. How was it to work with him for the fight?
Charlo: It's cool but it was tough. James is a hard-working guy and he has a good stable of fighters such as Anthony Joshua, Errol Spence, and Ryan Garcia. Working with Derek James and Joan Guzman has brought me to where I am today.
BET.com: This fight is the biggest of your career thus far. How would a win over Canelo enhance your legacy?
Charlo: A win will definitely make me one of the top fighters in the world of boxing as of today. Of all time, it definitely would probably put me in the middle with the all-time great middleweights and superweights. What I’m doing has rarely ever been done before in boxing. To move up this fast in so many different divisions and take on the best competition as an undisputed champion shows my skills.
BET.com: Lastly, there’s been so many big fights in boxing this year. Boxing fans have been watching some of the best boxers fight each other. What do you think about the future of boxing?
Charlo: I loved what’s been happening in boxing this year. I think for the last decade, there have been some phenomenal fights. The world has changed over the last five years with the pandemic and influences joining the sport. I think boxing is really growing and taking off at the current moment.
