In today’s boxing news latest headlines, Paulie Malignaggi has dismissed Jermell Charlo’s chances of beating Canelo Alvarez, citing his lack of ‘mental discipline.’

Charlo aims to create history by becoming undisputed in a second weight class and taking all of Canelo’s belts at 168. And as part of that process, he will jump up two-weight divisions from 154.

The perception is that Charlo’s keys to victory is by using the blueprint that Dmitry Bivol had set by using his jab, judging the distance and having enough power to get Canelo’s respect. But in order to do that, Malignaggi felt the fighter needed discipline.

Charlo has become a knockout artist since his time with Derrick James. However, following a similar approach against Canelo could backfire. 

Malignaggi On Canelo-Charlo

"Honestly, I think this is a mismatch, and I’m going to continue to say it. You have a fighter going up two weight classes above his original weight class, where he dominated. It’s going to be a mismatch. 

"In general, just watching Canelo in the ring, even against a big guy like Bivol, he went the distance; he was never hurt in the fight. So it’s very hard to get the power and respect on the part of Canelo.

"Now, having said that I’m also going to go in another direction here because I feel like we’re given Charlo absolutely no credit. Charlo has the boxing ability. He just doesn’t have the discipline mentally. Source: Jermell Charlo Lacks "mental Discipline," Malignaggi stated 

Algieri On Canelo-Charlo

Much in the same way, Chris Algieri has backed Canelo Alvarez to overcome Jermell Charlo on September 30th, 2023, in their super middleweight clash. 

Alvarez will defend all his belts at 168 pounds against Charlo, following the latter’s own achievements at junior middleweight. Although Charlo is the taller man, Canelo has been fighting at super middleweight since 2019.

Therefore, the Mexican is a seasoned pro at the weight class unlike Charlo. Algieri simply felt that the Mexican would be too strong and powerful, which would catch up with Charlo later down the line. 

"I don’t see Charlo winning this fight. I never really saw Charlo being in this fight. Two weight classes is a big jump. We have weight classes for a reason, and someone as physically strong and as explosive the way that Canelo is, it’s a big ask, and Charlo is not the busiest guy in the world either, neither one of them are," Algieri 

Nevertheless, the pressure is all on Canelo. The Mexican’s form has been questioned following his performances against Dmitry Bivol, GGG and John Ryder.

However, Alvarez has admitted that he has fully healed from his wrist surgery, leaving no excuses when it comes to fight night. And that is something that spells a bad omen for Charlo moving forward. 

As for the American, a defeat would be tough to swallow since he will no longer be undisputed at 154 once the fight begins. And given that the weight drop would be gruelling from 168, Charlo’s career may never be the same if he suffers a loss in a brutal bout.