Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’ defence of his four super middleweight world titles against Jermell Charlo on September 20 will be the first time two reigning undisputed male champions have fought each other in the four belt era.
That said, however, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum made no bones about the fact that he does not give super welterweight champion Charlo much of a shot against the Mexican star.
“Canelo will beat him, easy. The little Charlo? He’s nothing. Canelo will probably knock him out in the sixth or seventh round.”
Alvarez has held all the marbles at 168lbs since his 2021 knockout win over Caleb Plant, whereas Charlo stopped Brian Castano to be crowned undisputed at super welterweight, 14lbs and two weight classes below Canelo, earlier in 2023
Canelo had been expected to take on Charlo’s twin brother Jermall, however he withdrew from negotiations at the last hour and ‘Mell stepped in.
Despite the weight classes between them, the two both fought at 154lbs at the same time and there is a view amongst some in the sport that the size differential may not be as significant as it would appear on the surface.
Couple that with the fact many in the sport believe the Mexican is a fighter on the decline, it would be foolish to completely write off the chances of Charlo at the T-Mobile Arena this autumn.
Should ‘Iron Man’ spring the upset in Las Vegas and be crowned undisputed in a second weight class, he would have a real shout for pound for pound number one status.