
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 04: Canelo Alvarez walks to his corner during his middleweight unification fight against Daniel Jacobs at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 04: Canelo Alvarez walks to his corner during his middleweight unification fight against Daniel Jacobs at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The boxing ring, where braggadocio meets brawn, witnessed a peculiar happening, one that didn’t involve gloves, mouth guards, or referee instructions. Fresh from his triumphant bout against John Ryder, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the undisputed super-Middleweight champion, found himself in an unfamiliar situation.
Yet this wasn’t a new training regime or a surprise opponent for a title defense, but rather an unexpected challenge broadcast from a very familiar setting: the audience. A claim so bold, it ricocheted off the boxing community and headed straight into the realms of social media frenzy. Jermall Charlo, the holder of the light-Middleweight title, while part of the crowd, managed to steal the spotlight.
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The verbal sparring off-ring: Charlo, Shields and fans weigh in
In the midst of the fight, Jermall Charlo, was found saying, “I could beat his ass. I could beat Canelo, man,” drawing immediate attention from every corner of the boxing fraternity. This, coming from a boxer who’s held his own in a highly competitive division, certainly had its weight and was bound to get tongues wagging.
The challenge did not go unnoticed in the boxing community. Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed Middleweight world champion, promptly responded to Charlo’s tweet with an enigmatic, “It’s up!!!!!”
Fans immediately took to Twitter, sparking a spirited debate over Charlo’s declaration. “Castano had him on wobble legs…imagine what canelo gna do,” remarked a Twitter user blest_1, in reference to Charlo’s previous fight.
Castano had him on wobble legs ..imagine what canelo gna do
— blest_1 (@Blestone01) July 1, 2023
Taniyah Price was less optimistic about Charlo’s chances, tweeting “Charlo is not winning at all 😂😂😂😂.”
Charlo is not winning at all 😂😂😂😂
— Taniyah Price (@TaniyahPrice) July 1, 2023
However, some supporters, like the user known as 🧙🏿♂️, took a tactical view of the potential matchup, stating, “People not realizing charlo got a gas tank and floats through the ring for 12 rounds and can jump in & out with combos similar to how bivol beat Canelo… now if charlo try to sit and bang then it’s plays in Canelo favor.”
People not realizing charlo got a gas tank and floats through the ring for 12 rounds and can jump in & out with combos similar to how bivol beat Canelo… now if charlo try to sit and bang then it’s plays in Canelo favor
— 🧙🏿♂️ (@RewGifted) July 1, 2023
Another user, Dammit, reacted to Shields’ tweet asking, “Lmao. Who r u going for champ?”
Lmao. Who r u going for champ?
— Dammit (@Mochedda10) July 1, 2023
Regardless of the differing opinions, some fans chose to back Charlo for his self-belief. User esprit de corps declared, “He believe in himself so I’m riding with him,” showing a vote of confidence in the light-Middleweight champion.
He believe in himself so I’m riding with him
— esprit de corps (@theologyuvages) July 1, 2023
As we wait for this highly anticipated bout, one question hangs in the air, providing a food for thought for boxing enthusiasts: Does Charlo genuinely stand a chance against Canelo, or is his claim just a testament to his audacity?
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on this topic. Is this a fight you would want to witness?
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