Jermall Charlo Wants Canelo On Cinco de Mayo Weekend
Jermall Charlo is targeting a fight with Canelo Alvarez on Cinco de Mayo Weekend if he manages to come through his fight with Jose Benavidez Jr.
The American makes his first appearance since 2021 after battling mental health struggles to take on a junior middleweight at 163 pounds. Charlo’s WBC title will not be on the line as the fight is seen as a tune-up for bigger things. Charlo had initially been linked with a fight against Canelo Alvarez.
However, his brother Jermell Charlo took the fight instead, as the turnaround time was not enough for Jermall to get ready for the fight. However, Jermell’s performance left little to be desired as he lost via a unanimous decision in an uncompetitive fight. And yet, Jermall has not lost hope of facing Alvarez later down the line.
Charlo On Canelo
“I’m down to fight Caleb Plant. I’m down to fight Canelo too. At 168, the door is still wide open for me. I was originally going to fight Canelo. I got the offer, I got the call, but it was something that my brother had talked about. At that time, I wasn’t mentally ready or prepared to even make my transition back into boxing.
“So why not let my brother seize the moment, and that’s exactly what he did. I haven’t been told anything otherwise besides that. I hope we get him [Canelo] on Cinco de Mayo. I look good in this fight [against Jose Benavidez Jr], and you guys press the action. The media and you guys vouch for me to fight that fight [against Canelo],” Charlo said
Charlo’s Aim
Nevertheless, the demand for that fight may have diminished somewhat. Since Jermell moved up two weight classes, the difference in weight showed as the power punches failed to inflict any damage on Canelo. Although Jermall would be moving up one weight class, the fact that he has been inactive for so long would only play into Canelo’s hands. And with the boxing community wanting to see a fight with David Benavidez instead, Jermall may not get the fight. Regardless of who he faces, Jermall’s focus was on making a statement.
“So, I’m going to get in there and try to be the best Charlo I can be. The fastest I can be. Throw the punches as fast as I can throw them, make the moves at the right time. I just want to be on my P’s & Q’s this time. You’ll still get the full 100% Charlo, promise,” Jermall
There is pressure on Charlo to win in style since he is not facing a legitimate middleweight. And given that his WBC mandatory obligations will follow soon, he will need to get in the rounds and put on a good performance. And with so many question marks over how he will look on his return, the jury is still out on whether Jermall is the same fighter. Time will tell how it all plays out.
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