BOXING
Jermell Charlo predicts a big win over Canelo Álvarez
The American, who has gone up two weight classes to face Canelo, is confident he will get his hand raised on Saturday night.
Boxing fans and pundits are counting the hours for one of the best fights of the year. Saúl Álvarez will take on Jermell Charlo with the Mexican’s four super middleweight belts on the line.
Unlike other occasions, both fighters have been quite respectful ahead of their megafight but both have stated they are ready to get the win when they meet each other inside the ring at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas.
While all the pressure seems to be on Canelo’s side, Jermell has very little to lose in this fight, as he has had to transform his body and go from 154 to 168 lbs to challenge the Guadalajara native.
A defeat for Canelo would translate into the most painful loss of his career and would probably lose the status of being considered the cash cow of boxing due to his popularity.
Meanwhile, the bout against Álvarez is the opportunity of a lifetime for Charlo, who will be looking to shock the world and become the second boxer ever to become an undisputed champion in two weight categories, after Terence Crawford accomplished that feat by defeating Errol Spence Jr in July.
Charlo shows his confidence in Las Vegas
Both fighters are already in Sin City for their anticipated showdown on Saturday. While Canelo believes he still has what it takes to emerge victorious, Charlo doesn’t seem overwhelmed by the expectations the bout has raised.
Mell, who will lose his light middleweight undisputed champion status when he steps into the ring with Canelo, thinks he will come out on top and make history.
“There’s no question. The world thinks Canelo is the best in the world, right? I’m going to come here and show the world why I’m the best in the world”, he said.
“I do this for the dogs, the hungry ones. I do this for the animals. I’m made for this. It labels me as one of the greatest”, Charlo added.
Most analysts believe that Canelo will probably be the winner, but Charlo seems ready to prove them wrong.
“After I beat Canelo, they’ll be screaming, ‘Charlo, Charlo, Charlo.’ It’s all great, it’s all good, it’s a beautiful thing. I came to put on a great performance. The training camp was amazing. To be here at the T-Mobile Arena, standing in front of the MGM. I’d been in a whole bunch of these fights. Now it’s my time and my turn, and it’s my moment. I’m going to shine when it’s time for it”, he concluded.
Charlo will need to implement a similar game plan to Dmitry Bivol’s in May 2022. While some believe that the American doesn’t have the boxing IQ to emulate Bivol’s performance and that the weight transformation will take a toll on him, others believe that Charlo’s reach and movement could help him get the win.