Jermell Charlo will be in a no-lose situation on Sept. 30.
If the undisputed 154-pound champion manages to defeat 168-pound counterpart Canelo Alvarez at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, he’ll become boxing royalty. And that’s not far-fetched: Most observers believe Charlo, an excellent all-around fighter with a series of important victories, is facing a once-great champion in decline.
If Charlo loses? He can say he took a massive risk in pursuit of greatness and it didn’t work out. How could anyone criticize that?
And, of course, the career-high eight-figure windfall he’ll take home for this fight will set him up for life if he’s careful with his finances. That kind of payday is the dream of every prize fighter.
Charlo’s decision to accept a fight with Alvarez was beyond a no-brainer. It was brilliant.
“When I got the call for this fight, there was nothing I could say other than ‘let’s go,’” Charlo said at a news conference in Los Angeles. “My whole career has kind of been all about chasing Canelo. He’s been the top guy for a long time.
“The fight has presented itself now and I just have to get in there, do my job and be the best that I can be.”
Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) was headed toward a compelling, but far less significant defense against unbeaten challenger Tim Tszyu this fall. And if Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) was going to fight a Charlo, it appeared at the time to be 160-pound beltholder Jermall, Jemell’s twin.
Then everything changed. The Charlos’ handlers either realized or knew all along that Jermall wasn’t in the right frame of mind for such a significant challenge, which turned attention to the smaller, but more accomplished of the brothers.
And, as Jermell said, he didn’t hesitate to accept the fight. Even Tszyu understood, indicating that it was an offer that couldn’t be refused.
The decision could pay off in a huge way, beyond earnings. Again, Charlo is capable of winning this fight, which would be a historic accomplishment.
If Alvarez is at his best, Charlo’s task will be difficult. And the Mexican star might be 100% for the first time in years following surgery to repair an injured left wrist, which he says played a key role in three consecutive subpar performances that damaged his reputation.
Remember: Alvarez has been one of the best in the business for more than a decade. And the fact Charlo is moving up two weight classes can’t be dismissed as a non-factor. Divisions exist for a reason.
All that is why oddsmakers have made Alvarez about a 3½-1 favorite, which is a fairly wide spread for boxing.
However, many knowledgeable observers believe that the 33-year-old from Guadalajara is worn down after 18 years of taxing training camps and high-level fights, which has eroded his skills. He remains a capable fighter, just not what he was.
If that’s the case, it could open the door for a sensational victory by Charlo. The Texan, a young 33, is gifted himself and both quicker and more athletic than Alvarez was at his peak. Also, while he was highly motivated for rematches with Tony Harrison and Brian Castano, he seems to more primed than ever for the fight of his life.
This is Charlo’s opportunity to prove he’s what Alvarez has been for so long: One of the greatest fighters of his generation.
“After September 30, people are gonna appreciate my skills and what I’ve been doing for so long, ever since I was a kid,” Charlo said. “With every fight, I come to put on a show, and I’m dangerous the whole fight. I want to be known as great.”
