Canelo Alvarez is all set to “grace” the ring with Jermall Charlo for the undisputed super middleweight crown on May 4th, turning Las Vegas into a Mexican festival during Cinco de Mayo. Apparently, this is the earth-shattering news Canelo can’t wait to drop today.
Jermall (33-0, 22 KOs), in a knightly quest, aims to right the wrongs done to his twin, Jermell, who got a schooling from Canelo last fall. Canelo dominated that bout, handing Jermell a unanimous decision defeat.
Yet, Jermall, ever the hero, refuses to go quietly into the night. He’s been more a ghost than a gladiator in the ring lately, which might just be his Achilles’ heel against Canelo.
Jermall’s “triumphant” return to the ring last November saw him winning by the skin of his teeth against Jose Benavidez Jr., in a performance that was more siesta than fiesta.
Now, Canelo picking Jermall as his next dance partner has the fans in an uproar, like they’ve been robbed of a real spectacle. They were dreaming of a clash with David Benavidez or Jaime Munguia, not Jermall, who seems to have taken a sabbatical from the sport in the past three years.
This matchup is being called the dullest arrow in Canelo’s quiver, yet it’s strangely fitting. If Canelo were to dodge Benavidez in his PBC swansong, it was either Jermall now or Jermall later.
With Jermall Charlo getting the May fight, it’s practically written in the stars that Jaime Munguia will get his turn in September. David Benavidez, currently wearing the WBC interim super middleweight tiara, must be thrilled to bits, overlooked for a romp in the 168-pound garden with Canelo.
Jermall might not be the belle of the ball for Canelo, but he’s certainly a step up from last year’s forgettable cameos, Jermell and John Ryder. At least there’s that. Jermall arguably has more in his locker than Jaime Munguia and could probably take him in a nap, even in his current semi-retired state.
The big question now is whether Canelo has another rabbit to pull out of his hat in today’s announcement, amidst the chatter about him waving goodbye to PBC. The oracle Rick Glaser had the masses convinced Canelo was about to drop a PBC bombshell, but with this Charlo fight on the books, it seems like just another day in the soap opera of boxing.