Due to the elite-level scrappers that reside in each and every weight class, naming one fighter as the division’s best becomes a practically impossible task. In the junior middleweight division, however, Jermell Charlo has separated himself from the rest of his peers.
After years of pilfering world titles, the truculent Houstonian now reigns supreme as the division’s lone undisputed champion. But while the 32-year-old has protruded toward the top of the weight class as the man to beat, Brian Mendoza is hoping to lure him into the ring.
Charlo, of course, is paying no attention to the perpetual callouts of the suddenly surging contender. Having suffered a broken left hand just a few short months ago, Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) is in the midst of an arduous recovery process as he works his way back.
Currently, despite four golden trinkets hanging from his arms, Charlo hasn’t shown that he’s unbeatable. With the undisputed kingpin set to face off against mandatory challenger Tim Tszyu, Mendoza (22-2, 16 KOs) looks to his tattered record as a means to explain why Charlo isn’t as untouchable as many believe.
“He’s already taken a loss,” said Mendoza to FightHype.com recently. “He has bounced back but I just feel like I’m different.”
Each and every time Charlo registered an unwanted result, he immediately righted the ship.
Mendoza, thanks to his upset knockout victory over Sebastian Fundora, has emerged as one of Charlo’s natural contenders. Although his seventh-round KO shined a light on his once-faltering career, Mendoza believes that at least a certain population of boxing fans don’t have an appreciation for his overall skills. If, however, he’s afforded the opportunity to prove himself on the grandest of stages, Mendoza is convinced that he’s more than capable of shocking his naysayers.
“I would love that fight. People haven’t seen what I bring to the table.”
By Hans Themistode