Jermell Charlo knows his history. Before he ultimately set out on his own boxing path, the truculent undisputed junior middleweight champ was a student of the game. In a lot of ways, he still is.
Charlo remembers those who came before him. The Marvin Hagler’s and Roberto Duran’s. He also caught an up-close view of the legendary careers of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Andre Ward.
Each of those aforementioned fighters had their own style and grace. But while they fought nothing alike, they all had one thing in common. By the time they hung up their trunks and gloves – they were immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Walking across that podium in Canastota, New York, is a dream for practically every fighter. Seldom, of course, is it achievable. Simply put, the Hall of Fame is reserved for the best of the best.
Charlo, whenever he decides that his trophy case is sufficiently filled, his bank account is overflowed, and isn’t interested in getting punched in the face for a living, believes that he won’t disappear into boxing obscurity. Although he doesn’t wanna come across as an individual filled hubris, he knows exactly where he’s going when he pulls the curtains down on his career.
“I’m amongst the Hall of Famers already,” said Charlo during a recent virtual workout.
His Hall of Fame credentials can be debated until the cows come home, but whether he makes it or not, isn’t the number one thing on his mind.
On September 30th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Charlo is temporarily washing his hands of the 154-pound division, bypassing the land of the middleweights, and will look to audaciously knock off Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds.
Some may call it a stupid move. Others, pointless. Charlo already pilfered every world title at 154 pounds. He could sit back, relax, and continue to defend his undisputed throne. Charlo could’ve went in that direction but where’s the fun in that? From his point of view, facing someone as dangerous and accomplished as Alvarez – motivates him to the umpteenth degree.
“I’m just daring to be great, I’m going to be great.”