Jermell Charlo has challenged more boxers to take a ‘leap of faith’ in pursuit of greatness as he prepares to ‘risk it all’ against Canelo Alvarez.
The undisputed light middleweight champion is jumping up two divisions to face boxing’s biggest star on September 30 in Las Vegas.
Victory would make Charlo, 33, only the second man in the four-belt era to reign supreme in two weight classes.
Boxing history is littered with fighters failing to make the leap up to higher divisions.
Jermell Charlo has challenged more boxers to take a ‘leap of faith’ in the pursuit of greatness
The undisputed light middleweight king is jumping up two divisions to face Canelo Alvarez
But after coming face-to-face with Canelo at a press conference on Tuesday, Charlo said: ‘It’s time now. A lot of guys are worried about the wrong thing – moving up weights, doing this or that, he said.
‘When you want to win something this big you have to risk it all… it was a no brainier to make this happen.
‘Yeah we’re have mandatories but when you have something like this, to hell with that… I know I’m going up two weight divisions but who gives a damn?’
Later, the younger Charlo twin added:
‘Take that chance, leap of faith – use my abilities, he’ll use his abilities and whoever pulls it off first gets the win.’
Alvarez will put his undisputed super-middleweight crown on the line in Las Vegas
Canelo echoed his opponent’s sentiments as he prepares to defend his undisputed super middleweight crown.
‘Jermell Charlo is a great fighter, he takes challenges like me, I like risks,’ the Mexican said.
During a press conference laced with mutual respect, Charlo paid tribute to Canelo’s star appeal but the American is relishing the chance to spoil his party in Las Vegas.
‘They’re legends in the game of boxing, they did it,’ he said of Canelo and his trainer Eddy Reynoso. ‘They’re able to put on great shows and great fights and I just want to be the one that gets in there and takes away all of that.’