Undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo will have to overcome a series of physical obstacles in order to overcome Canelo Alvarez when they clash on Sept. 30 at the T-Mobile Arena on Showtime pay-per-view. 

For starters, Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs), who’s fought exclusively at 154 pounds since 2011, will have to move up two weight classes to face the 168-pound undisputed super middleweight champion Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs).

In addition to transforming his body, Charlo will also have to battle a 15-month case of inactivity. The 33-year-old last fought on May 14, 2022, scoring a 10th-round knockout win against Brian Castano in a rematch following their July 2021 draw. 

Before Charlo was presented with the opportunity to challenge Alvarez, the Houston native was zeroed in on a fight with mandatory challenger Tim Tszyu.

Charlo was supposed to fight Tszyu on Jan. 28, but the bout was postponed in December when Charlo suffered a broken hand during sparring. The hand was broken in two places and the injury required Charlo’s hand to remain in a cast for two months. 

In an interview with BoxingScene.com and other media during a recent press conference in Los Angeles, Charlo shared that he’s still tending to his hand. 

“The hand is good. The hand is on perfection. I'm working it,” said Charlo. “I'm still doing therapy and certain treatments to it and making sure that it don't have an issue when it come fight night.” 

In July, Charlo said his hand was doing great, was ready for action, and there was nothing to worry about. 

Charlo will face a fighter in Alvarez who’s also dealing with recent health issues. Alvarez underwent left wrist surgery last fall, and he’s returned since to dominate John Ryder via unanimous decision in May.

However, Alvarez has openly wondered if he’s lost a step, and he’s relocated camp to the high-altitude terrain of Truckee, California to prepare for the fight.

“It's good. I'm in Truckee, California for the altitude because, you know, when I fought in Guadalajara, Mexico [and beat John Ryder in May], I felt the difference in the altitude. I felt better. My body felt better. I was still in rehab for my hand. But I felt better in everything. So that's why I chose to come here to train in the altitude. My body feels good,” Alvarez told BoxingScene.com in an interview. 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.