WBC Middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) would like to match his twin brother’s achievement of becoming undisputed but knows there is a future at super-middleweight as well.
In the meantime, the 32-year-old Texan will make the fourth defence of his green and gold title in Houston on June 18 against Macej Sulecki. And while the choice of opponent hasn’t gone down entirely well with boxing fans Charlo believes the fight will be a war.
“Sulecki is a good challenger,” said the champion at yesterday’s virtual press conference.
“A lot of people might not know him, but he’s been in there with top competition. This is the right timing for this fight against a strong opponent. I’m ready for whatever he brings. He says he can beat my tactics, but once he’s in there he’s going to have to survive.
“This is going to be another war. I’m going to be in the pocket and ready to go. Whatever he does, I’ll make the adjustments. If I hit him with something flush, I’m going to knock him out.
Sulecki (30-2, 11 KOs) has shared the ring with Gabe Rosado, Demetrius Andrade, and Daniel Jacobs going the distance each time but only having his hand raised against Rosado.
And the former WBO title challenger says that Andrade and Jacobs are both better fighters than Charlo.
“Charlo is still a great fighter with an explosive punch,” he added. “I’m just ready for this fight. I’m going to make it all happen on June 18 in the ring.”
“Both fights against Jacobs and Andrade have prepared me for this fight. Charlo has made mistakes before, and I want to exploit those mistakes. I know what it takes at this level now.
“Charlo is a different fighter than past opponents and I respect him for being a champion. I’m ready to face the best Charlo possible on June 18 and my only focus is on winning this fight.”
Sulecki on paper looks like a stop gap, a stepping-stone before something bigger for Charlo. And watching his sibling Jermell beat Brian Castaño and hold all four belts at 154lbs has the ‘Hit Man’ wanting to match the achievement.
“I’m not in a rush. I’m the champion at 160 pounds. So, these guys have to fight me no matter what. I have my sights set on bigger opposition. We’ll move forward when it’s time. If I have to move up to 168 to do that, let’s look at the drawing board after this fight.
“It motivated me to see my brother Jermell capture those goals that we’ve both always wanted. That’s something that I want to do. Sulecki is standing in front of that goal right now. Everyone wants to be champion, but not everyone is destined to be a champion.
“I’m fighting to get the biggest names and get the biggest fights. I’m fighting for my legacy. I’m fighting for something way bigger than just fighting Sulecki.”