There was something about the junior middleweight division that bored Jermell Charlo. Sure he still had a long list of challengers waiting on him, mostly notably, Tim Tszyu, but after aggregating every world title at 154 pounds, Charlo knew good and well that he was the division’s top dog.
As the 33-year-old prepared to defend his undisputed throne, on a whim, his phone began to ring. On the other line, Canelo Alvarez had an intriguing proposition for him. How could Charlo resist? The chance to become an undisputed champion in two weight divisions doesn't come around every day. So, with the opportunity of a lifetime waiting, Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) brazenly accepted.
Officially, the two will square off on September 30th, with all of the super middleweight marbles on the line.
From a legacy standpoint, Charlo knows that his career could leap to another stratosphere if he picks up the win. But while getting the nod is salient, Charlo understands the value of putting on a great performance for the fans who will buy the pay-per-view and those who will walk through the turnstile at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I think they gonna appreciate my skills and what I been doing for so long as a kid,” said Charlo during a recent presser. “They gonna know that every fight I come to put on a helluva show but I’m also dangerous.”
At times, Charlo has come across as pugnacious. He’s lashed out at reporters who have refused to place him on their pound-for-pound list. He’s also questioned those who continue to doubt him.
His up-and-down relationship with fans of the sport, however, will no longer be ambivalent. Instead, as long as everything goes according to plan, Charlo believes that his fanbase will grow tenfold.
“People will be mixed with emotions and calling me great. I want to be known as great after this.”