Undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo held a live streamed media workout on Monday and previewed his upcoming showdown against undisputed super middleweight world champion Canelo Álvarez topping a SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Here is what Charlo, along with trainer Derrick James, had to say Monday from his training camp in Houston:
Jermell Charlo
“I’ve been doing this my whole life and now it’s time to put on for my city. 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.
“I’m not going to have to worry about losing too much weight. I’ve been sparring bigger guys for a very long time and now it’s about bringing that same mindset that I have at 154-pounds and bringing it up with me to 168-pounds.
“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.
“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.
“We’ve done so much sparring and conditioning. I’m working on the mental as well, because I know it’s not only about the physical. I’ve been training 14 weeks and making sure I do everything I need to.
“I just have to stay hungry. And I’ve been hungry. I would’ve fought Canelo years ago, and it probably wouldn’t have been as big as it is now. But I’m not too focused on being in the ring with Canelo, I’m just hungry. I want to win this fight for my city.
“If I accomplish this massive goal, it’ll be hard to top. I’ll be in the record book with the greats of boxing for a long time.
“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.”
Trainer Derrick James
“Having two undisputed championships at the same time would be amazing. It would be historic for Jermell.
“It’s gonna be back and forth early. Canelo has to impose his will, and Jermell has to show him who he is. You have to stop him from being his great self.
“Jermell’s advantage is actually his size. You have to maximize that advantage. It’s about what Jermell is able to do. He doesn’t have to become the guy, he has to be the guy.
“You win the fight in the gym. You’re not pulling a rabbit out of your hat. You have to go in the ring having done it the right way.”
How the trainer will feel with two stars losing on his watch/resume?…
Derrick James is nothing special and sounds so superficial. Charlo is just posturing. I’ve never been impressed with what fighters say. It’s more about what they do in the ring. Charlo has never faced or beaten any legends. He has never faced the caliber of fighters that Canelo has beaten, and the reality is that he is not on Canelo’s level. He is no match for a properly trained and motivated Canelo Alvarez. For Charlo to jump up two weight classes to take this fight, rather than facing Tim Tsyzu tells me that he is just chasing money. Like his brother, he doesn’t fight very often. He’s also running his mouth a lot, chasing the hype like many of today’s fighters.
No amount of hype can hide the fact that Jermell is simply no match for Charlo, and this will become evident early in the fight when Charlo first feels Canelo’s power. Canelo is a smarter fighter and better boxer than he is. This fight will be about how much punishment Charlo can take. It will take some time for Canelo to get his timing, but once he does, it’s all over for Charlo. Mid to late round stoppage for Canelo.
Agreed. Charlo is in WAY over his head.
Did you see those red marks on Bivol’s arms from blocking Canelo’s bombs? Ouch.
Personally, I can’t wait to watch Canelo break Charlo mentally and physically.
There are no notable names on either of the Charlo brother’s resumes’ so I see Canelo putting an ass whippin comparable to the one Derrick James’ prize pupil Errol Spence received 7/29.
be suprised if charlo comes close on the scorecards canelo wins unanimous decision