Charlo: I’m Going Back Down To 154; Make The Weight Easy; If Tszyu Next, Then I’m On It

LAS VEGAS – Jermell Charlo moved as much as 168 kilos for a chance to boost his legacy and cash, not out of necessity. (picture by Ryan Hafey)

Even at 33 years outdated, Charlo can nonetheless comfortably compete throughout the division in and round the place he has made his residing for nearly all of his 15-year skilled profession. He introduced after his one-sided factors loss to Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night time at T-Cellular Area that he’ll positively return to the 154-pound division for his subsequent combat, maybe towards the winner of the upcoming Tim Tszyu-Brian Mendoza bout.

“I’m going again to right down to 154,” Charlo stated throughout his post-fight press convention late Saturday night time. “So, that’s gonna be main. I can do it. Yeah, I could make the burden straightforward.”

Previous to his combat with Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs), Charlo had not weighed in at greater than 155¾ kilos for any of his skilled fights. He formally weighed a career-high 167.4 kilos Friday morning, but he admitted that he was “a tad bit” sluggish whereas preventing Alvarez at a a lot greater weight than he’s accustomed.

The 6-foot Charlo stands 4 inches taller than Alvarez, however Alvarez’s heavy arms and luxury competing within the tremendous middleweight division rendered Charlo reluctant to interact with the undisputed 168-pound champion for many of their 12-round combat. Alvarez’s proper handcrafted Charlo take a knee early within the seventh spherical, which helped him beat Charlo by huge distances on the scorecards of judges Max De Luca (118-109), David Sutherland (118-109) and Steve Weisfeld (119-108).

Charlo can nonetheless transfer again down two weight lessons and defend his IBF, WBA and WBC 154-pound championships in his subsequent combat.

The Houston native entered the ring as boxing’s undisputed 154-pound champion, however the WBO stripped him thereafter and elevated Tszyu from interim junior middleweight champion to full champion. Australia’s Tszyu (23-0, 17 KOs) will defend that title towards WBC interim tremendous welterweight champ Brian Mendoza (22-2, 16 KOs) on October 15 at Gold Coast Conference and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Australia.

Making an attempt to re-establish his standing as undisputed champion would make good sense for Charlo’s return to the ring.

“I simply observe the plans and combat whoever,” Charlo stated. “Clearly, we will see [that]. It’s about being nice and being a legend in boxing. Hopefully, y’all put me within the Corridor of Fame. I don’t know who controls that, however I deserve it. And presumably I’ll come again at 154. I’ll simply, you recognize, take heed to my coaches and if Tim Tszyu subsequent, then I’m on it.”

Sydney’s Tszyu is listed by DraftKings sportsbook as greater than a 7-1 favourite to beat Mendoza, who upset Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) by seventh-round knockout in his final combat.

When requested if changing into undisputed 154-pound champion once more is necessary to him, Charlo replied, “In fact, you recognize, however, you recognize, it’s about, you recognize, preventing the most effective fights and making essentially the most cash at this level in my life and profession. So, preventing, you recognize, Brian Mendoza, Tszyu, you recognize, who obtained an Australian fan base, you recognize, it’s simply not as satisfying to me generally. However like I stated, I take heed to my coaches, observe the plans of my administration, and go from there.”

Keith Idec is a senior author/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He will be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.