Jermell Charlo (34-1, 18 KOs) strongly believes that he’s operating at a level above his competition in the Junior Middleweight division.
The 31-year-old unified IBF, WBA, WBC 154-pound titleholder is currently preparing for the most significant fight of his career, as he’s set to meet WBO titlist Brian Castano (17-0-1, 12 KOs) on July 17. The bout will serve as the main event of a Showtime Championship Boxing telecast from AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The winner of the match will become the first undisputed champion in the division’s history.
Although Castano, a deserving world champion, is currently undefeated in his professional career, Charlo is confident heading into the contest. In fact, he believes a finish isn’t out of the question.
“If I can land a right clear shot, I don’t know if he can get hit with that many shots or take that type of power I’m going to possess on July 17th, so I don’t want to predict a knockout I just like to have tough wars,” Charlo said on a recent edition of The Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer.
If he can come out on top as he predicts he will, Charlo will not only walk away from the bout with four titles in his possession but with a real argument to be made that he’s one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. It’s an idea some in the boxing world already subscribe to, and one Charlo feels will be undeniable if he’s victorious later this month.
“Absolutely, I feel like I should’ve been somebody they’ve (boxing media) been talking about…I think I come with very unique skills, and I come with something very unique to boxing,” he said.
Of course, a victory would also come with more questions, specifically about why lies ahead for Charlo. With wins over Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout, Tony Harrison, and Jeison Rosario on his resume, Charlo has already put together quite an impressive track record at 154 pounds.
So while he could continue to defend his titles, a move up to Middleweight, where his twin brother Jermall currently reigns as WBC champion, could be in the cards as well. Regardless of what the future holds, however, the lighter Charlo brother is convinced that he’s the man to beat in the weight class he currently competes in.
“I can be at 154,” Charlo said. “I can stay here to fight I don’t know [who] the next guys [will be] and just beat everybody up. If the money is making sense, I’ll move up to 160, my twin brother is there, and we can accomplish goals together. It all depends on how hungry I am for something like that.
“I stand strong in this weight division, and I don’t think nobody can come to this weight division and fuck with me,” he added. “I’m sorry, I’m that guy in this weight division!”
