Freddie Roach has been involved in more than his fair share of high-level boxing match ups and ahead of the undisputed super middleweight clash between Jermell Charlo and Canelo Alvarez on September 30 he has made a bold prediction.
Most famously, Roach was in the corner for the bulk of Manny Pacquiao’s biggest fights as well as training the likes of Miguel Cotto, Ruslan Provodnikov, Amir Khan and James Toney.
This weekend, Alvarez steps into the ring for the 64th time to defend his undisputed super middleweight titles against Charlo, the undisputed super-welterweight champion, who is moving up two weight divisions and coming off a lengthy lay-off.
The fight takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and Roach told a group of reporters that he sees deterioration in Canelo.
“Canelo has had an outstanding career. And even though I had Gennadiy Golovkin winning their first two fights, I was impressed with the way Canelo fought him. If Charlo was fighting the version of Canelo before he fought Golovkin, I would favor Canelo. But that’s not the case. This version of Canelo will not be able to handle Charlo.”
Charlo stands at 6 foot tall and has knocked out plenty of his opponents in the 154lb division, but it is fair to say Canelo has a granite chin and has never looked hurt in any of his many world title fights while also winning plenty by knockout.
However, the Wild Card Boxing Club founder Roach likes what he sees in Charlo’s attitude.
“He’s mean and defiant, and better yet, he backs that attitude up with his talent. He cannot be intimidated. He has a great chin and doesn’t get fazed by getting hit. Charlo is downright vicious inside the ring.”
He then acknowledged that both men can fight before making his final prediction – a knockout win for Charlo.
“I think Charlo will have too much firepower for Canelo to handle, especially at the higher weight. Canelo needs to stay away from Charlo’s left hook. The question is, can Canelo stay away from Charlo’s left hook? I don’t think he can, which is why I’m picking Charlo by stoppage. I can’t wait for this one.”
The fight will be shown live this weekend on DAZN in the UK and Showtime PPV in the US.