Jermall Charlo is already looking ahead at the prospect of a bout against Canelo Alvarez or Gennady Golovkin ahead of his clash against Dennis Hogan in December. The American has been in possession of the WBC middleweight crown for 18 months and has successfully defended his belt twice on home soil.
However, Charlo has displayed a hunger to take on the best in his weight class, although Alvarez has shifted around the divisions in recent years, avoiding a potential duel with the American. Both Alvarez and Golovkin would present the biggest fight of Charlo’s career and at the age of 29, he’s in need of a signature victory to elevate his reputation in the United States and the sport as a whole.
Hogan is the American’s first challenge and he should not be underestimated. Charlo is still the overwhelming favourite, being backed at 1/10 in the boxing betting odds to move to 30-0 in his career. Hogan does bring a 28-2-1 record into the bout in New York, although his lost his last fight against Jaime Munguia on a unanimous points’ decision. Charlo should be able to brush aside the Irishman with relative ease and begin his pursuit of stronger opponents in 2020.
Charlo rose to prominence in 2018 when he produced an excellent performance to knock out Hugo Centeno Jr just two rounds into their bout for the then-vacant WBC middleweight title. Centeno had landed a blow in the second round, but the response from the American was emphatic. He launched a series of devastating punches before connecting with a left hook that sent his opponent to the canvas. Charlo proved that he had the power to compete in the division, defeating his compatriot to take possession of the belt.
Matt Korobov was next on the agenda in their showdown at the Barclays Center after Willie Monroe was ruled out due to an irregularity on a pre-fight drug test. On this occasion, Charlo had to use his guile to pick his moments when to land his blows on the Russian. A tight defence was also required to see off the threat of Korobov’s potential knockout punch. The American proved that he can fight with both power and nous, dominating the contest on points as he cruised to a comfortable victory on a unanimous points’ decision.
Charlo displayed resilience in a homecoming against Brandon Adams in his next defence. He sustained a hand injury early in the fight, but was able to continue through the pain. Charlo was able to consistently strike his opponent, while maintaining a strong defence throughout. Adams attempted to up the ante late on, but the reigning champion ensured that he held out for another win by a dominant margin. The clash against Hogan should follow suit, extending the American’s unbeaten run in his professional career.
However, it does raise the question whether he would be ready for the challenge of Golovkin or Alvarez or even Daniel Jacobs in the future. Jacobs would present a good test of whether he has the mettle for the other elite fighters as his compatriot was beaten by both Golovkin and Alvarez. A victory over Jacobs in 2020 could be the stepping stone he needs for a future bout with the two men at the top of the division.
CONAN Daily 