On September 26th, Jermall Charlo (30-0) will defend his WBC regular middleweight title against Sergiy Derevyanchenko (36-3 including World Series of Boxing pro bouts). Here is what Charlo had to say at a recent press conference:  “We will show everyone on September 26th that we’re the future of boxing. We’re going to let everyone in the world see the great things that me and my twin brother [Jermell] have done for the sport. Of course, the pandemic made us separate a lot of things in our routine and do things slightly differently. But I also can work out here at home so it hasn’t been too tough for me to stay sharp. Every fight is tough and I’m coming in prepared like always. Derevyanchenko is a highly rated fighter and we’re both going to go in there to get the job done.

 

“We haven’t decided who’s going to fight first [Jermell fights Jeison Rosario in a 154-pound unification bout on the same pay-per-view show], but we’re just so excited to be headlining [together]. Me and my twin brother have something big in store for everyone on September 26th. We just stay in shape. We’re always training and we’re always ready. This is a time in life where everyone had to go through the same thing. It was just a matter of time to get back to boxing. It is what it is not having fans in the stands. There’s not much we can do about it. We’re back and we’re going to enjoy it.

 

“I didn’t think Derevyanchenko won the fight against Golovkin, but he definitely made it a lot closer than people expected [the verdict went to Golovkin]. I didn’t think people knew about his style and what he brings to the ring. It was close, but I didn’t think he won the fight. A win [over Derevyanchenko] lets people know that I’m ready for the biggest fights against the other middleweight champions. Derevyanchenko has been in with tough competition, but he’s come up short. I know that people will have questions no matter what happens, but that’s just part of boxing. I’m ready to fight. It would definitely deliver a statement to the boxing world if I knock him out. The power is for real and I can get in there and hurt just about anybody. I feel like we’re going to meet in the middle of the ring and let our hands go. May the best man win. My game plan is going to be to shut his game plan down. We’ll see on fight night.”