Two-division champion Jermall Charlo is hunting a big name, but wants to remain among the middleweights for now.
The WBC 160lbs boss retained his belt for the fourth time of asking against an insanely game Juan Macias Montiel on Saturday night before turning his attention to possible clashes with IBF title holder Gennadiy Golovkin and pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez.
Charlo says he wouldn’t move up in weight just yet to face WBA Super, WBC and WBO super-middleweight champion Canelo and would hope to entice the Mexican to drop down to his old division.
“160 is my weight division. I want to unify,” Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) told Showtime after outclassing Montiel in his hometown of Houston. “I want to get Golovkin in the ring. I want to bring him to Houston. I want to get Canelo out here to Houston if he wants to come down [in poundage]. This is my weight division.”
Both bouts seem unlikely in 2021. Golovkin is closing in on a unification fight with WBA Super champ Ryota Murata in Japan in December whilst Canelo has insisted his middleweight days are behind him with an undisputed title clash against IBF 168lbs belt holder Caleb Plant looming in September.
“Golovkin is about to unify so maybe we can fight for all those belts or if [Murata] wins, I’ll fight the winner,” said Charlo. “You know what a lion do when they hunt? There’s a difference between chasing and hunting. We on the hunt.
“I’m gonna stay here. I’m gonna reign at 160. This was my fourth title defence. I got many more to come. I’m young, I’m hungry. I’m ready.”
Main image: Esther Lin/Showtime.