Canelo Alvarez’s next fight has had the boxing world in disbelief. Here are all the details.
World boxing has just been turned on its head. For the first time in the four-belt era, we’ll be seeing two undisputed champions… even if Alvarez’s opponent has surrendered his belts by then.
With all signs pointing towards the long-awaited dual of Tim Tszyu and Jermell Charlo happening later this year, Charlo has done a 180 and will go up in weight against Alvarez in September.
Expectations were that Canelo Alvarez’s next fight would be against Charlo’s twin brother Jarmall. However, due to an extended absence from the ring, the twin informed Alvarez’s camp that he would be unavailable. So they went to the next closest thing.
The boxing superstar announced on his social media on June 30 that he will fight Jermell Charlo, who at the time of announcement holds all four belts at the 154-pound division, with a stunning record of 35-1-1, accompanied by 19 knockouts.
Charlo’s decision to fight up two weight divisions ignores the World Boxing Organisation’s orders that he fight Tszyu before September 30. It means he’ll be letting go of plenty in pursuit of Alvarez (and a boatload of cash).
It seems boxing fans across the globe are salivating at the thought of this fight between two world champions; it adds to what has been arguably one of the biggest years in the sport’s history and it is only going to get better; two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in Errol Spence Jr and Terrance Crawford set to battle it out come late-July.
UNDISPUTED vs UNDISPUTED
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) June 30, 2023
🗓️ Sept. 30
📍Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/pAlSN5VszU
With so much hype and anticipation set to build over the coming months as we creep closer and closer to Canelo Alvarez’s next fight, let’s have a look at everything there is to know about it.
Canelo Alvarez’s next fight: Where and when
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo, Sunday October 1 (AEST), T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Canelo Alvarez will step back into ring to fight against a shock opponent in super-welter weight champion Jermell Charlo, after speculation initially centred around a bout with his twin brother, Jarmall.
That fight had been rumoured to be held on September 16, which would have fallen on the Mexican Independence Day, working well for Alvarez.
Unfortunately for Alvarez, both Jermall Charlo and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas both fell through, meaning a new date and opponent had to organised — and they don’t get much bigger than Jermell Charlo.
In the almost 20 years of the four-belt era in world boxing, Canelo Alvarez’s next fight against Charlo will be billed as the first between two undisputed world champions.
The event will be contested at 168-pounds, 14-pounds (6kg) heavier than Charlo’s division. It will most likely be an issue for the American.
How to watch Canelo Alvarez v Jermell Charlo
Main Event, via either Foxtel or Kayo
Canelo Alvarez’s next fight on September 30 against Jermell Charlo will be available via Showtime pay-per-view in the United States and Canada.
It will be different down under in Australia however, with pay-per-view broadcast of the fight expected to be streamed on Main Event via Kayo. Main Event is also available through Foxtel, of course.
What does the fight with Alvarez mean for Charlo’s status in the super welterweight division?
It didn’t just shock the world of boxing when Canelo Alvarez’s next fight was announced to be against super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo. It also shocked Australian boxing sensation Tim Tszyu.
Tszyu, who defeated world-class Mexican boxer Carlos Ocampo back in June, was meant to fight Charlo by September 30, according to the WBO. It would’ve been Tszyu’s biggest fight to date.
But with Charlo opting to go up two weight divisions to fight Alvarez, the weight division is preparing for a massive bombshell.
Tim Tszyu has taken to Instagram to vent his frustration following the announcement of Canelo vs Jermell Charlo 👀
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) July 1, 2023
Do you think Charlo should now be made to vacate his 154lbs world titles? 🤔#CaneloCharlo | #TimTszyu | #Boxeo pic.twitter.com/Yiv8CJgbu1
Charlo’s withdrawal from the bout is expected to see him stripped of his super welterweight titles; it’d mean Tszyu will be elevated from interim to full champion of division – probably a hollow achievement in Tszyu’s eyes, but respectable nonetheless.
Some supporters are divided on the reported decision to strip Charlo of his belts, but opting out of his sanctioned showdown with the Aussie can only mean one thing.
Who did Canelo Alvarez fight in his last bout?
Before Canelo Alvarez’s next fight, it’s important to look back at his previous bout to understand how we got here.
Alvarez retained his undisputed championship back in early May; a 12-round showdown with British boxer John Ryder.
Although the fight went the distance, it wasn’t close; Alvarez won by unanimous decision in Guadalajara, Mexico. The fight was his first in his home country in over a decade, adding special meaning to the victory.
Following the bout, Canelo inked a multi-fight deal with Premier Boxing Champions, which opened the door for him to clash with other mega-fighters such as the Charlo brothers; Jermell getting the opportunity in Canelo Alvarez’s next fight.
