Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez will enter the ring against Jermell Charlo the favourite to add a 60th victory to his record.
When the Mexican signed a three-fight deal with PBC and Showtime, most in the sport believed current middleweight champion Jermall Charlo was to be the inaugural opponent. Instead, his identical twin brother, Jermell, was announced.
‘Mell’ is currently undisputed at super welterweight – a division Canelo previously competed in, with his final fight there being a stoppage victory over Liam Smith to win the WBO world title.
Smith told Boxing News that the announcement of Jermell following rumours of Jermall was ‘madness.’
“Crazy. I didn’t expect that. The same way nobody expected it. It’s madness.”
As for how the fight goes, the Liverpool man has little doubt.
“I don’t fancy [Charlo] at all. Canelo wins and wins easy.”
Much was made initially about the smaller Charlo’s jump up two divisions to face Canelo, but others feel that he’s naturally bigger than the super welterweight limit he makes currently.
Even if the size is more of a level-playing field than some pundits believe, facing the elite Mexican is a tough ask for anybody.
Despite a relatively average performance against Gennady Golovkin last year and a loss to Dmitry Bivol up at 175lbs, the 32-year-old is still one of the strongest forces in the sport – both skill-wise and in terms of star power.
He will defend his undisputed super middleweight title against Charlo on September 30 in Las Vegas, with a win opening him up to big bouts against other PBC fighters – David Benavidez being the priority for fans.