Jermell Charlo Desperate To Jump Two Classes To Challenge Canelo Alvarez

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (left) and Jermell Charlo after undergoing media conferences in Los Angeles on August 16, 2023. (Showtime/Esther Lin)

JAKARTA A true junior middleweight world champion, Jermell Charlo deserves to be called reckless because he dared to move up two classes to challenge a popular Mexican boxer, Saul Alvarez who has the nickname Canelo. Their duel will be held at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on September 30, 2023.

Canelo is the true world champion of the super middleweight (76.2 kg). That means Charlo has to increase his weight by about 6 kg from his ideal match weight in junior high, which is 69.9 kg. But Charlo doesn't care, he has to take risks for the advancement of his career.

When I was offered this match, I had no other choice but to agree immediately. My dream all this time was to face Canelo, and now I have a chance. He has been at the top for a very long time, and now there is an opportunity to throw him down, "said Charlo, a boxer from Texas, USA aged 33 as quoted by The Ring.

"Every choice has a risk, and I don't care about that. Whatever the risk if it's good for progress, I'll do it. As a professional boxer I'm used to facing danger. I have to always be ready to face it," he said again.

Throughout history, it is very rare for a true champion to advance to class to challenge a true champion in a higher class and win. More rarely if you jump him up to two or more classes.

In the modern era, it was recorded that only Roy Jones Jr was able to do it 20 years ago. Jones, who is a true light heavyweight champion (79 kg), rose two classes to challenge WBA heavyweight champion, John Ruiz, and won.

In the pre-World War II, Henry Armstrong, who won the featherweight, moved up two levels to challenge welterweight champion Barney Ross and won. The game was held in New York on May 31, 1938, and pro boxing still competes in eight classes instead of 19 classes like it is now.

Charlo currently has a record 35-1 (19 KOs) and is the underdog. While Canelo, who is also 33 years old, has a record of 52-2-2 (39 KOs).

Many people think that I have run out, that's why they are competing challenging. I know that my performances in the last two matches are not special. I'm the only one who knows the cause. Now I am different, and ready to give my best performance through my skills and experience," said Canelo.