By Craig Daly: Former WBC junior middleweight champion Tony Harrison thinks Jermell Charlo is “stupid” by choosing to move up to 168 to challenge Canelo Alvarez for his undisputed super middleweight championship in his first fight in that weight class coming off an injured left hand and a 16-month layoff.
Harrison feels that Jermell (35-1-1, 19 KOs) would be asking for trouble even if the fight took place at 160 because the combination of inactivity, hand injury, lack of experience, and fighting a talented fighter like Canelo would be too much.
Jermell couldn’t turn down the kind of money that he’ll get from fighting Canelo, and Harrison would likely jump at the chance to fight the Mexican star if he was given the opportunity.
“I think it was stupid. I think it was very stupid. Not necessarily moving up because he probably naturally walks around at that weight. I think it was stupid from the aspect of him breaking his hand and coming back to fight one of boxing’s best,” said Tony Harrison to Fighthype about Jermell Charlo being stupid by moving up to 168 to challenge undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.
I think that was stupid to move up to that weight class. I wouldn’t even be comfortable him [Jermell] meeting him at 160. No matter why he did it, there’s a reason why he did it, right? He had to do it for a reason, and that’s why he chose this fight. I’m rooting for that man.
“He becomes the best fighter in boxing this past century. He becomes the best over Usyk, Gervonta; he becomes the best fighter in the world, pound-for-pound #1, if he beats Canelo Alvarez at 168.
“F**k, yeah. They can’t leave me out. I’ll leave when I want to leave,” said Harrison when asked if he’ll fight again. I’m going to do it smart, though. I’m going to stop chasing Jermell at 154.
“I’m going to go up to where I only have five lbs to lose at 160. Gain some muscle mass, and put ton eight percent more muscle mass; get my cardio together, and you’re going to see a nice, strong Tony Harrison.
“Tony Harrison has been fighting at 154 as an amateur since he was ten years old. I’m 32 years old, and I’m still fighting at 154. I can’t do it no more because what it’s doing now is making these guys like unbeatable, but it’s all Tony Harrison.
“It ain’t got nothing to do with them, and everything to do with Tony Harrison. Tony Harrison is going to do it smartly, and I’m going to go to 160.”
