Shocker: Canelo Álvarez vs Jermell Charlo Announced for Sept 30
Saul Canelo Álvarez has shocked everyone by announcing that he will be facing Jermell Charlo in an Undisputed vs Undisputed fight on September 30, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Canelo Álvarez is the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion while Jermell Charlo is the undisputed champion two weight divisions below at super welterweight. The announcement was made by Canelo himself on his social media channels before the Premier Boxing Champions promotion also confirmed it.
The announcement came as a shocker as Canelo was rumored to be facing Jermell’s twin brother, WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo, until last week. Canelo announced last week that he had signed a 3-fights deal with PBC. The rumors had him facing Jermall Charlo next. However, that does not seem to be case anymore.
UNDISPUTED vs UNDISPUTED
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) June 30, 2023
🗓️ Sept. 30
📍Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/pAlSN5VszU
Canelo was last seen in the boxing ring on May 6 this year, where he defeated John Ryder to retain his undisputed super middleweight title. This was Canelo’s first fight after a hand surgery in October last year. Canelo was earlier looking for a rematch against WBA(Super) Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol, who defeated him in May 2022. However, a deal with Bivol could not be made who was more willing to face Canelo for his undisputed super middlweight titles than putting his own title on the line.
The defeat against Bivol was just second in his illustrious career for Canelo. However, he revealed that he was not at 100% due to a hand injury at the time. Regardless of the injury, Canelo went on to defeat Gennadiy Golovkin in his next bout in September 2022 before opting to go for the surgery.
Jermell Charlo is also out of action due to a hand injury since May 2022. He defeated Brain Castaño on May 14, 2022, to add WBO Super Welterweight title to his ranks and become an undisputed champion in the division.
Charlo revenged his only career defeat to Tony Harrison to start this journey to undisputed champion status in December 2019 by winning back WBC Super Welterweight title. He then defeated Jeison Rosario in September 2020 to add IBF and WBA(super) titles. His first encounter against Castaño resulted in a split draw, but Charlo was successful in his second attempt to beat Castaño and become the undisputed Super Welterweight Champion.
The fight between Canelo and Charlo will be presented by Showtime. This will be the fifth time that Canelo will headline a Showtime PPV, but 9 out of his last 10 fights have aired on DAZN with Matchroom Boxing or Golden Boy Promotions acting as the promoters. Showtime also presented Canelo’s bout against Caleb Plant where he became the undisputed middlweight champion.