On Tuesday, it was made official, the hard-punching knockout sensation, Jermall Charlo (26-0, 20 KO) will clash with Hugo Centeno (26-1 14 KO) on March 3.
That bout will happen on the undercard of Deontay Wilder’s next scheduled title defence of his WBC world heavyweight title against Luis Ortiz on March 3rd.
The bout will also take place at the Barclays Arena in Brooklyn. Furthermore, both competitors will be vying to claim the interim WBC world middleweight title which is up for grabs.
https://twitter.com/ringstar/status/954513386934484992
By claiming that title, the winner will almost assuredly be secured as the next mandatory challenger for Golovkin’s WBC world middleweight title.
Charlo had already previously earned that position, but given that Golovkin is believed to be close to securing a rematch with the Lineal world middleweight champion, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Jermall Charlo previously held the IBF jr-middleweight title. Jermall’s identical twin brother is also the WBC champion in that weight class and he still campaigns in that weight class.
He made three defences of that title with the last coming by emphatically blowing away Julian Williams.
Williams was a rising, undefeated prospect tipped for the top but he was conclusively broken from a dynamite uppercut in December 2016.
Citing problems making weight, Charlo then decided to step up and campaign at the more comfortable weight of 160 lbs.
— Jermall Charlo (@FutureOfBoxing) January 22, 2018
He made his debut at his new weight against Argentina’s Jorge Sebastien Heiland.
Charlo easily stopped him inside of four rounds at the venue where Charlo will return in March, The Barclays Center.
“I really love fighting in Brooklyn and at Barclays Center,” said Charlo.
“The fans in Brooklyn always show me a lot of love.”
“Since my last fight, I’ve had a chance to work on my patience and work on improvements to my game.”
“I’ve got the same feeling that I had before I won my first world title.”
“I want to be a champion at 160 more than I did the first time at 154.”
“More than anything I just want to get back in the ring.”
“Centeno is a tough fighter. He’ll be a hard test for someone who isn’t at my level. I’m not taking anything away from him.”
The WAIT is OVER
— Jermall Charlo (@FutureOfBoxing) January 22, 2018
MARCH 3RD
— Jermall Charlo (@FutureOfBoxing) January 22, 2018
“But he’s just another fighter that’s in my way.”
“I don’t feel like I have anything to prove to anyone else in this fight.”
I’m all about proving things to myself now. In the 160-pound division you’re hearing my name more and more. It’s more than you did when I was at 154 pounds,” Jermall Charlo concluded.
READ MORE:
Lee Selby Plans To Retain Against Josh Warrington Then Challenge Carl Frampton
Mikey Garcia targeting Errol Spence Jr showdown this year!
GGG promoter: Canelo and Golovkin need each other, Golovkin wants Saunders fight