Jermall Charlo, Juan Macias Montiel discuss world title clash

Might nineteenth, 2021

Esther Lin

Unbeaten WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo and hard-hitting 160-pound contender Juan Macías Montiel met face-to-face for the primary time Tuesday throughout a kick-off press convention as they preview the principle occasion of a particular Juneteenth Day celebration in Charlo’s hometown of Houston Saturday, June 19 at Toyota Middle headlining a Premier Boxing Champions occasion reside on SHOWTIME.

Charlo has established himself as a pressure in two divisions and can search to thrill his hometown crowd in opposition to Mexico’s Montiel in a first-of-its-kind Juneteenth Day boxing celebration. Charlo will struggle in Houston for the fourth time as a professional and look to maintain his undefeated document intact in opposition to the upset-minded Montiel.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will start at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and have rising light-weight contender Isaac Cruz battling former world champion Francisco Vargas within the 10-round co-main occasion. Kicking off the telecast, former world champion Angelo Leo returns to tackle Mexican contender Aaron Alameda in a 10-round tremendous bantamweight bout.

Here’s what Charlo, Montiel and their trainers needed to say Tuesday:

JERMALL CHARLO:

“June 19, it’s going to be fireworks. A parade. A celebration. Me and Ronnie Shields get an opportunity to do it once more. I’m working exhausting. I used to be working exhausting earlier than I even knew who Montiel was. This time, you get an opportunity to see all of the exhausting work I’ve put in for thus a few years. It’s a dream come true to have the ability to struggle in my metropolis and I get an opportunity to do it with a crowd. Tune in and get your tickets as a result of it’s going to be an excellent night time of boxing.

“There’s no higher day to struggle than Juneteenth. It’s a celebration for me and my folks and I get to signify them and carry them on my again. To have the ability to do it for my metropolis proper right here on the Toyota Middle – it’s going to be an incredible night time of boxing.

“Montiel is fearless. He’s a fighter that I believe deserves an opportunity. At this level, he understands the place he’s at. It is a massive struggle. Lots of people might not know who Montiel is, identical to I didn’t, however he’s a powerful fighter. The folks wish to see me get examined, proper? I wish to see these massive fights, too. In a matter of time, they’ll come. However Montiel ought to be an excellent struggle.

“I’m going to whoop his ass. He doesn’t stand an opportunity. They’re all assured. I acquired the belt. The belt ain’t going nowhere. Toyota Middle, prepare. It’s going to be fireworks June 19. He may be as assured as he needs, however after we get in there he’s going to must determine it out.

“A fighter like Montiel is difficult to go in there and get the job completed actual clear and swiftly as a result of if I look unhealthy in opposition to a man like this, they’ll take away from what I did within the Derevyanchenko struggle. However, sure, thus far, Derevyanchenko was considered one of my hardest fights, however I made good work of it and onto the following one.

JUAN MACÍAS MONTIEL:

“We’re targeted on making ready in addition to doable. It is a as soon as in a lifetime alternative and we’re taking it as such with loads of dedication and self-discipline. We’re able to placed on an excellent present on June 19.

“That is the struggle I at all times dreamed of. I’m all about difficult myself and preventing in opposition to the very best of the very best. I’ve been coaching exhausting and I consider in myself. I will likely be prepared to come back out and win.

“We’re preventing in Houston as a result of I don’t assume that I’m ready to decide on or dictate something proper now. I’ll struggle anyplace as a way to make my dream of turning into a champion come true. If now we have to struggle on the moon, then let’s struggle on the moon.

“I consider that energy is the nice equalizer, a legit benefit in boxing, since it will probably change the fortunes of any fighter contained in the ring. I contemplate my energy a bonus in my favor.

“I’ve fought and ready so exhausting for the chance to go and get this championship belt. I’ve completed issues the precise means, there isn’t any purpose for issues to go incorrect. As I mentioned beforehand, I’m not ready to decide on the place to struggle. I simply must maintain coaching exhausting like I’ve since I used to be 4 years outdated.

“I’m blissful that there will likely be followers within the stands. I don’t really feel any strain, as a result of it’s all about Latin satisfaction and assist and that motivates me.

“I believe Charlo is a good fighter, tremendous proficient and the world champion for a purpose. I’ve been making ready my complete life for this.

“I don’t assume that every one Mexicans simply go on assault mode by default, you additionally must be sensible and assume issues by means of relying on how the struggle goes.”

RONNIE SHIELDS, CHARLO’S TRAINER:

“Jermall Charlo has labored his butt off within the gymnasium and he continues to do this. To defend your title in your yard, in your hometown, that’s a really particular factor. Not solely is it going to be particular due to that, it’s going to be particular as a result of Juneteenth is a really big day for all African People within the state of Texas. We’re wanting ahead to an excellent struggle. Montiel is a very nice fighter and we all know we will’t underestimate anyone. We’re going to be in the very best situation we’ve ever been in each time we struggle and we’re going to proceed to do this. We’re wanting ahead to having all people come out for this nice celebration.

EDUARDO MONTIEL, MONTIEL’S TRAINER:

“Coaching camp is an ongoing course of. Issues are going swimmingly, identical to we needed them to. We’re very blissful and so glad folks have welcomed us right here in Houston with open arms.

“I’m hoping for Montiel to be in his finest bodily, psychological and emotional form to come back out with a win on June 19. Our largest benefit proper now could be that we’re already settled in right here in the USA, freed from the distractions and temptations we’d have again dwelling in Mexico.

“I believe {that a} victory of this magnitude would make Montiel the face of Mexican boxing, rubbing elbows with the Canelos of the world. Life would change in a single day for him.”

DOUG HALL, GENERAL MANAGER, TOYOTA CENTER:

“We welcome SHOWTIME and our mates from Premier Boxing Champions again to Toyota Middle. We now have an excellent historical past of internet hosting fight sports activities on this fantastic enviornment. We’re actually enthusiastic about what Jermall Charlo and Juan Macías Montiel are going to carry to the Toyota Middle on June 19. Tickets are on sale now at toyotacenter.com and we’re wanting ahead to an excellent night time as we carry again reside occasions to this market. We will do it efficiently and safely and we wish to see all people come and see an excellent championship boxing match.”