Heavyweight boxing icon, Mike Tyson, has had a change of heart regarding Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s upcoming undisputed title defence against Jermell Charlo, which is set to take place next month.
The bout is being billed as a one-of-a-kind ‘undisputed versus undisputed’ clash, but despite the promotional tag, that won’t be the case once the bell rings on fight night as Charlo will be stripped of at least one of his belts.
Nevertheless, as of now, the contest consists of the four-belt 168lb champion, Canelo, making a third defence of his crown, against the four-belt 154lb champion, Charlo, who is jumping up two weight-classes to face the Mexican.
In an interview with ES News, heavyweight legend Mike Tyson he ‘liked Charlo a lot’ before he saw the pair come face to face.
“I like Charlo, I liked him a lot before I saw the energy at the the press conference. I don’t know… It’s just changed.”
“Did he pad on his shirt or has he actually put on weight? I wish that he does well, I want him to do well.”
Jermell Charlo Reveals Three Fight Plan: “I’m Going For Greatness”
Some fans online said Charlo looked nervous on the big stage, but many others didn’t agree. He certainly didn’t look like a man two divisions lighter.
Predictions like this won’t deter Charlo, who has now revealed a three-fight plan that shows his intentions to drop back down to super-welterweight after becoming the super-middleweight champion.
He will be wise to not look past Alvarez, who has lost just once since defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
The fight is scheduled to take place on September 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the American will seek to become a two-division champion by taking on one of the fighters of the generation.
A UK broadcaster for the card has yet to be announced.