Canelo Alvarez to fight Jermal Charlo, Adam Kownacki takes another beating

It looks like Canelo Alvarez will fight Jermall Charlo this September.

I like it.

I like it because Charlo is a good fighter.

CANELO VS. JERMALL CHARLO SIDE-BY-SIDE TRAINING COMPARISON | POWER, SPEED & SKILLS DISPLAYED

I like it because many feel that Alvarez is declining. His victory over John Ryder did not impress.

Alvarez pounded on Ryder for 12 rounds but ate more punches than usual.

Charlo made fun of Alvarez on Instagram.

“That b!tch can’t beat me with that sh!tty last performance,” Charlo said.

The whispers had begun after Alvarez fought Gennady Golovkin for a third time last year. He looked a step slower and occasionally sluggish.

Alvarez is 32. He’s boxed professionally for 17 years. 63 fights. 46 in the amateurs. Is he an “old” 32?

20 Minutes Of Canelo Alvarez’s Best Moments In The Ring

The good ones can turn back the proverbial clocks. See 35-year-old Vasyl Lomachenko, who has engaged in over 400 amateur and professional fights. He struggled last year in his only bout.

Lomachenko was sharp and motivated against Devin Haney a few months ago. A loss is never a win, but Lomachenko proved he’s still got it.

Charlo is a year older than Alvarez.

He’s undefeated in 32 fights, scoring 22 knockouts. The WBC middleweight has been his since 2019. Boxing fans criticized Charlo’s last performance in the ring against Juan Macias Montiel. Despite winning nearly every round, it still wasn’t good enough.

Charlo outboxed tough luck Sergiy Derevyanchenko easier than most three years ago. Charlo used a sharp jab to set up his shots. His edge in reach was evident.

He’ll have the same advantage against Alvarez.

Charlo has knocked out Dennis Hogan and Julian Williams. The guy can fight but has not in two years.

Promoter Eddie Hearn mentioned this last week.

🦁Jermell Charlo BEST KNOCKOUTS (2023)

“You can’t expect Charlo to be competitive against Canelo in a September fight coming off two years, said Hearn. “I saw him [Charlo] on FaceTime with Demetrius Andrade. He didn’t look like he was very close to being able to fight, but he’s a good fighter.”

Mixed messages. Charlo could take what Hearn said as motivation. If he needs it.

Charlo has been calling out Alvarez for several years. As I write this, he’ll get his shot in three months.

Alvarez will be the betting favorite, but there are questions.

I didn’t like Adam Kownacki getting punished again.

Kownacki has made his bones throwing bombs. His nickname is babyface. Hardly pretty, all offense and no defense.

Kownacki won 20 fights in a row. His team talked title shot. I shook my head. He was winning bouts on will. His talent was mediocre, but not his heart. It’s as big as a lion’s.

A fighter nicknamed “The Nordic Nightmare” ended the nonsense in 2020.”

Robert Helenius was brought to New York to lose. He didn’t get the memo.

Kownacki started well but was stopped in four heats. A rematch had to happen. Kownacki said this time he’d be ready.

He wasn’t – the fight ended in round six. Kownacki endured an enormous amount of punishment. His defense resembles Swiss cheese.

Kownacki resisted calls to retire. He returned last year and lost a decision to Ali Eli Demirezen. Advised to hang up the gloves (again), he did not.

This past Saturday night, another fighter, partially nicknamed “Nightmare,” got the better of Kownacki. A big heart can only go so far.

This must be it, right?

I sure hope so.