Huge underdog Juan Montiel plans to go all in against WBC middleweight champ Jermall Charlo

Juan Montiel by no means imagined that asking for a world title combat would possibly really work. However it did, and now he has the prospect to tug off a monumental upset over WBC middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo.

The 12-round bout will happen on the Toyota Heart positioned in Charlo’s hometown of Houston, Texas and can headline a three-bout ‘Showtime Championship Boxing’ telecast (9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT).

At Friday’s weigh-in, Charlo, who’s rated No. 2 by The Ring, weighed in on the middleweight restrict of 160 kilos. Montiel weighed 159.6.

Montiel (22-4-2, 22 knockouts), who resides within the boxing hotbed of Los Mochis, Mexico, knocked out former contender James Kirkland in his final bout on December 26. He’s unbeaten in his final 4 fights since shedding by knockout to Jaime Munguia in February 2017.

Following the win over Kirkland, Montiel’s half-hearted plea in a post-fight interview to face Charlo for the WBC middleweight title was met with skepticism. Montiel admits to being shocked that he secured the combat at first, however his opinion has modified.

“So far as I’m involved, and now that I’ve considered it, I consider I ought to have been given the chance to combat Charlo after defeating Kirkland,” Montiel informed The Ring. “[Kirkland] had solely been knocked out by Canelo Alvarez (Might 2015), and [he’d] knocked out Alfredo Angulo (November 2011). He had managed to rise up from knockdowns in these fights, however I used to be in a position to put him down within the opening spherical.”

Montiel has suffered three different losses by cut up or majority choice, however, as his knockout ratio suggests, he does carry energy. And whereas his aggression could play into Charlo’s fingers, he doesn’t need to come out on the tip of a hometown choice.

“I feel I’ve to go for the knockout,” stated Montiel, who has wins over Marco Reyes and Ivan Montero. “After I fought Hugo Centeno (December 2019), he weighed 3.5 kilos greater than the middleweight restrict and ran from me. The combat was a draw, however I believed I used to be the higher fighter that night time. The combat was in Southern California, the place I had not fought earlier than.

“I don’t desire a draw on this combat. I’m going to go all in, even when I’d lose making an attempt.”

In a pre-fight interview, Charlo said that he doesn’t know something about shedding however Montiel does. The challenger admits to not having the perfect document, however he nonetheless insists that Charlo is not going to be in for a simple night time.

“He has motive to say that; he’s proper,” stated Montiel. “Charlo is a champion and undefeated. I’ve nothing, however these fighters who don’t have anything to lose however all the things to realize are essentially the most harmful fighters.

“I spent three months making ready for this combat. I’ve had the mindset that I’ll win in any respect prices. I’m rather more accountable and I’ve educated more durable (in contrast to some years in the past). My youthful years noticed me make silly errors, and I lacked focus and self-discipline. I’m ranked No. 4 by the WBC, so a win over Charlo would put me towards the perfect fighters at 160 kilos.”

Montiel can also be pushed and motivated by his mother and father and household.

“My dad has at all times supported me and has at all times been there for me,” he stated. “I’ve a seven-year-old son that has modified my life. Clearly, a win [means] larger purses and combat playing cards, however I should be grateful and humble. That’s how I bought right here within the first place.”

“I do know the Charlo combat can be a tough one for me, however not as soon as have I believed I can not win this combat.”

Francisco A. Salazar may be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing