By Jim Calfa: Jermall Charlo couldn’t take the fight with Canelo Alvarez because he wasn’t going to be ready to face the Mexican star on September 30th due to the two years that he’d been out of the ring. Jermall’s twin brother Jermell will move up from 154 to face Canelo.
ESPN Desportes reports that Jermall could still face Canelo in a revenge-type match if his brother Jermell is beaten in September.
That would be fight #2 for Canelo of his three-fight deal with PBC. The third fight could be against Errol Spence Jr if he gets past Terence Crawford in their two bouts this year for the undisputed welterweight championship.
In looking at the video of Jermall this week, it’s hard to believe that he wouldn’t be ready for the fight against Canelo in September because he doesn’t look fat and out of shape.
Boxing fans are hoping that David Benavidez or David Morrell Jr are part of Canelo’s plans for his three-fight deal with PBC, but that might not be the case. If Canelo doesn’t want to take any major risks to ensure the gravy train isn’t messed up for himself, he could face these three in his PBC deal:
1. Jermell Charlo
2. Jermall Charlo – *revenge of the brother
3. Errol Spence
You got to wonder if, mentally, Jermall was ready to start a grueling camp after being inactive for two years because he would have needed to get to work right away. It would have been tough for Jermall to break the inertia to get moving again after sitting for 24 months.
“Jermall was the first option Premier Boxing Champions offered Canelo; However, the boxer told them that he needed some time to get in shape since he had not been in the ring for more than two years,” said Salvador Rodriguez to ESPN Deportes.
“Jermell raised his hand and pushed his brother aside. The other option was Errol Spence, but you had to see how he fares with Terence Crawford first.
“If Canelo beats Jermell, Jermall will come to want to avenge him... while Errol Spence, if he beats Crawford, would go up to 168… At the time,” said Salvador Rodriguez on Twitter.
“That’s wild, that’s some crazy news, and the way they marinated it,” said Teofimo Lopez to ESNEWS, reacting to Canelo fighting Jermell next.
“We all thought he was facing Jermall. Now he’s facing Jermell. Him going up two weight divisions on top of that and facing arguably the face of boxing. Kudos to Charlo and the ‘Lions Only’ team.
“I think it’s going to be great for boxing. What a fantastic year we’ve been having so far for boxing. It’s undisputed against undisputed. It’s great. I love what Showtime is doing, and I love what is going on and how PBC is pushing these things.
“It’s good for the sport. This is what we need. We need great fights like this. I’m happy that all networks and promoters are contributing together to make these fights happen,” said Teofimo.