Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano know what will be at stake when they meet on July 17 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.
They will be fighting to become the first undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era, a distinction that will solidify the winner’s place among the best in the business today and make history in the process.
Not many fights are more significant than this.
“We have 10 days to go and I’m excited,” Charlo said. “This is the most important time of my life. I love this. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. My experience inside and outside of the ring has all led up to this.
“Now is the time for me to put it all on the line.”
Said Castano: “This is my opportunity. This is the fight of my life. I’m a world champion and Charlo is a world champion. The chance to become undisputed is just 10 days away and I can’t wait.
“This is my time. This fight is so important for my life.”
Charlo (34-1, 18 KOs) is one of the hottest fighters in the world, having destroyed a long list of quality opponents and avenging his only setback by stopping Tony Harrison in 11 rounds in September 2019.
The smaller of the Charlo twins climbed to No. 12 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list after a sensational eighth-round knockout of Jeison Rosario this past September, which gave him three of the four belts.
The big puncher from Houston has knocked out seven of his last nine opponents.
“I know what I possess in the ring,” he said. “When it’s time to fight, I instantly become the best warrior that there is out there. “… Castano is a great fighter who puts on a lot of pressure. But I know my abilities and I know my power. Every punch I throw is dominant and every shot I throw is painful for my opponent. I have a lot of unique abilities in me and I’m going to bring some tricks into this fight.
“I haven’t punched Castano yet so I don’t know what his chin will do when I hit him. I know he’s got a big heart. I’m just going to do what I do, which is what everyone knows that I do. Everyone sees what I can do each time I get into the ring.”
Castano (17-0-1, 12 KOs) also has had success against top-tier opposition, including a draw with master boxer Erislandy Lara in March 2019. That opened some eyes to Castano’s ability.
Two fights later, on Feb. 13, the volume puncher from Buenos Aires, Argentina easily outpointed Patrick Teixeira to win the WBO version of the junior middleweight title and earn himself a shot at Charlo and all the major belts.
Castano’s goal is to join ranks of the best fighters from his country — legends like Carlos Monzon, Nicolino Locche, Pascal Perez and Sergio Martinez — or even surpass them.
“I am out for glory,” he said. “I want to be the first in history to be undisputed champion at 154 pounds in the four-belt era and also be one of the best Argentinian and Latin American boxers that ever lived. …
“If I win, the glory would be equal to a potential Argentina World Cup title next year. … This opportunity to make history for my country and for Latin American people brings out very strong emotions in me.
“I don’t want to let down my Latin American people from all over the world. I feel an immense amount of pride in that and I am up to the challenge.”
Sounds as if motivation won’t be a problem for either fighter.