Jermall Charlo put on a dominant display against Juan Macias Montiel on Saturday night and then called for the biggest names in and around his weight class.
Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) made a fourth successful defence of his WBC Middleweight world title with a unanimous decision over the relentless Montiel, who continued to march forward in typical Mexican fashion, fighting fire-with-fire.
Whilst ‘Hitman’ was fully expected to see off the 27-year-old, the stoppage victory which was perhaps also anticipated, did not materialise despite staggering his foe back in a ferocious sixth round barrage.
Yet, Montiel had only been stopped once against Jaime Munguia and had success of his own, notably in the eighth and ninth rounds where he connected with some clean shots to head and body.
Charlo’s dominance was reflected on the scorecards, with three wide tallies and the Texan made his hitlist clear.
“160 is my weight division. I want to unify,” the 31-year-old said to SHOWTIME post-fight.
“I want to get Golovkin in the ring. I want to get Canelo out here to Houston.”
The two-division world champion is in need of a big-name fight so who could he face next?
Gennady Golovkin
Whilst an immediate fight with Canelo Alvarez is almost a non-starter with the pound-for-pound star looking to become undisputed Super Middleweight champion, although a meeting with IBF titlist, Gennady Golovkin should be a possibility.
Even at 39-years-old, ’Triple G’ remains the biggest draw in the 160lbs division, with Canelo operating at 168lbs and whilst perhaps slightly past his best, he remains a live threat to the young guns.
Goloivkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) is coming off a seventh round stoppage win over Kamil Szeremeta in December, dropping the Pole on four occasions to record a record 21st Middleweight title defence.
There are two apparent stumbling blocks to a unification between ‘Triple G’ and Charlo.
Firstly, Golovkin is with Matchroom Boxing, whilst ‘Hitman’ is signed to Premier Boxing Champions and with both men competing on different TV networks, in DAZN and FOX/SHOWTIME respectively, it would appear a harder fight to make.
Secondly, the Kazakh has reportedly agreed a deal to face WBA ’Super’ Middleweight champion, Ryota Murata on December 28 in Tokyo, according to The Athletic and per World Boxing News, the veteran is set to fight beforehand, potentially on the same card as the unbeaten Japanese in separate title defences.
View this post on Instagram
It seems unlikely that Charlo would be that summer fight for Golovkin and questionable whether the American would be ready in time, having suffered a slight cut on Saturday night, although a meeting would be a fan-friendly affair, pitting two offensive, powerful operators against each other.
Demetrius Andrade
Should Golovkin and Murata clash, Charlo’s only other option for a major unification battle would be against unbeaten compatriot Demetrius Andrade.
Andrade (30-0, 18 KOs), also a former 154lbs champion successfully defended his WBO Middleweight crown with a unanimous decision win over mandatory challenger, Liam Williams in April.
‘Boo Boo’ has the most awkward style of the champions, which has perhaps worked against him in securing the most lucrative fights for him, although a unification with the WBC champion makes sense.
Andrade’s promoter Eddie Hearn said he was willing to allow his charge to fight on Charlo’s network in a bid to avoid any obstacles to a showdown between the pair.
“If he doesn’t want to fight on DAZN, we’ve made him a massive offer. Demetrius will go and fight on FOX. It’s not a problem,” Hearn told DAZN on April 17 after Andrade’s win over Williams.
“Jermall Charlo against Demetrius Andrade is a big, big fight. It’s two great American world champions. Why are the champions not looking to face Demetrius Andrade.”
Fight that need to be made is @FutureOfBoxing vs @BooBooAndrade !!
— Eddie Chambers (@champfasteddie) June 20, 2021
Charlo described his rival as a “horrible fighter” in his post-fight press conference, however he did admit that he’d be open to facing him, but challenged him to face Montiel first.
“For sure he got a belt, let’s go get him,” Charlo said.
“We’re going to clean up the division sooner than later.
“Champions are supposed to fight champions.” 💯
Eddie Hearn wants to see Andrade face GGG or Charlo next. pic.twitter.com/AO0WwjtNwf
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 17, 2021
“I’m down to get in the ring with anybody.
“I showed y’all how to fight. Let’s see if he can beat the dude I just fought and then we’ll talk.”
Jaime Munguia
Hours before Charlo did his business against Montiel, Jaime Munguia sent out another statement to his Middleweight rivals and closed in on a shot with the WBC champion.
Munguia (37-0, 30 KOs) made it 37 fights unbeaten with the game Kamil Szeremeta retiring after six punishing rounds in El Paso.
The Mexican cemented his position with the WBO as the number one contender and remains a viable opponent for Andrade with both men fighting on DAZN.
Although, the 24-year-old is also the number one rated contender with the WBC and could be called as Charlo’s mandatory challenger.
The former Super Welterweight world champion has youth and time on his side, coupled with his knockout power, making him an alarming challenge to the division.
Nevertheless, he does not appear to be in a major rush to secure a world title shot at 160lbs and is instead targeting an in-house match-up with Gabriel Rosado, who climbed off the canvas to record a knockout of the year contender over Bektemir Melikuziev on the undercard on Saturday.
View this post on Instagram
“I would like to perhaps by the end of the year fight for a world title,” Munguia told DAZN post-fight.
“And if not, a battle between Mexico vs Puerto Rico against Gabriel Rosado, I think he looked really good tonight, that would be good.”
Asked if he was ready to face either Andrade or Charlo, he added: “Yes of course, we’re ready.”
Comment below who you’d like to see Jermall Charlo face next…
