Canelo to face Jermell Charlo, not brother Jermall

Canelo Alvarez will face one of the Charlo brothers on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas. But in a surprise announcement Friday, it will not be Jermall as everyone expected, but Jermell who will be his opponent in a battle of undisputed champions.

Sources told ESPN that Jermall Charlo was the first option that Premier Boxing Champions offered to Alvarez. However, Jermall said he needed more time to get in shape because he has not fought for more than two years.

Jermell Charlo, who established himself as the undisputed super welterweight champion in 2022, raised his hand and pushed his brother aside to fight Alvarez. For the fight, he will move up from 154 pounds to 168 pounds

Errol Spence Jr. had also been mentioned as an option, but he will face Terence Crawford first on July 29 at Las Vegas.

Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KO’s), 33, defeated Brian Castano in May 2022 and was supposed to be negotiating a big fight against Australian Tim Tszyu. Now he will face boxing’s biggest star for perhaps the biggest payday of his career.