Charlo brothers ready to showcase their talent in prime time
For the past several weeks, it would have been hard to watch a Fox-televised NFL game without being introduced to boxers and twin brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo.
Commercial break after commercial break there were promotional spots for the card they will share on Saturday (Fox, 8 p.m. ET) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
It was just the kind of mainstream exposure they had hoped for when Al Haymon and his Premier Boxing Champions organization struck a four-year rights deal with Fox in September that calls for 10 prime-time network shows per year and 12 more on cable outlet Fox Sports 1, in addition to nearly 200 hours of shoulder programming to support the events.
The Charlo brothers, 28, from Houston, are front and center in the featured fights on the first card of the deal, which has had a boatload of marketing on Fox outlets with six different shows over the past week.
Jermall won a coin flip to have his fight in the main event, where he will defend his interim middleweight world title for the first time against former title challenger Matt Korobov.
Korobov had been scheduled for an eight-round fight on the undercard but was given a shot in the main event on Monday when Willie Monroe Jr., the original opponent, was dropped because he tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone.
Jermell will defend his junior middleweight world title for the fourth time in the co-feature against Tony Harrison, who will be getting his second title shot.
The brothers, both charismatic and exciting fighters, are both significant favorites and thrilled with the push they are getting.
“It’s a dream come true. We finally getting exposure,” Jermell said. “The fans are able to see us, seeing what life is like for the Charlos. People that don’t really know us or understand why we do this. Now they got a real reason to see it. It almost feels like a collaboration with the NFL and being on Fox. I’ve seen the commercials. My son has seen commercials and he’ll call me.
“It’s time. I’ve been a professional for 11 years, been boxing for 20 years and now the world is finally getting a chance to see us, and on Saturday night it’s my job to go in there and handle my business.”
To Jermall, a big national network fight in prime time is as big as it gets.
“This is bigger than pay-per-view,” Jermall said. “Me and my brother are both hungry. We want the fans and everyone to know that we’re the best in the world. Sooner or later the rest of the world will know it.”
Matt Korobov took the fight against WBC interim middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo with just a few days’ notice. And while he understands the challenge that lies in front of him Saturday, Korobov says he’s happy — and ready — for the opportunity.
Jermall (27-0, 21 KOs) insisted that getting a short-notice opponent is no big deal. In Monroe, he was preparing for a slick boxer. With Korobov, a 2008 Russian Olympian, he will face more of a straight-ahead fighter. But at least both are southpaws, which makes the switch less complicated.
“Once I heard about the new opponent, I knew that we had work to do,” Jermall said. “Nothing I can do about someone [Monroe] who was unprofessional. I didn’t put my head down. I knew that we’d make another fight. I’m glad that Korobov stepped up to the plate. I think it’s going to be a great fight.
“Every fight is tough. I’m not sleeping on this guy. I’m sleeping this guy. There’s no disappointment. Korobov is a different kind of fighter than Willie Monroe, but I am prepared to fight against any style.”
Korobov (28-1, 14 KOs), 35, who fights out of St. Petersburg, Florida, has been desperate for a major fight. He had a chance at a vacant middleweight title in 2014 and was easily handling Andy Lee before suffering a shock one-punch knockout in the sixth round. Korobov has won four fights in a row since but has been quite inactive.
“It was a surprise to get the call for this fight,” Korobov said. “I have to be the best version of myself on Saturday night. I’m going to take all of my amateur and pro experience and mix it up to make a great performance. I respect that Jermall Charlo took this fight, and I’m going to try to show my best. I have watched Jermall’s fights, and because he has a title, I know he has a lot of quality skills. I have the skills to make this a great night for myself. I am going to bring everything I’ve got. I spent some time outside of the ring, but the whole time I was preparing for a moment like this and I’m going to make it count.
“This was such a big opportunity that I was immediately telling my team yes [when it was offered]. This is what all my work has been leading to.”
As an interim titlist, Jermall is one of unified champion Canelo Alvarez’s mandatory challengers, and he hopes to eventually land that megafight or one with former champion Gennady Golovkin, who is a free agent and has been in talks with PBC.
“Hopefully, those fights happen for me sooner or later,” Jermall said. “Sooner or later, they got to answer to Jermall Charlo.”
Jermell (31-0, 15 KOs) has been quite impressive in his title reign, notching highlight-reel knockouts of Charles Hatley and Erickson Lubin and dropping former titlist Austin Trout twice in a decision win in his last fight in June.
Next up is Harrison (27-2, 21 KOs), 28, of Detroit, who has been knocked out in both of his losses, including in the ninth round of a vacant title fight against now-unified titlist Jarrett Hurd in February 2017.
Harrison has won three fights in a row since and is primed for another opportunity.
“I think that Jermell is a more technically sound fighter than Jarrett Hurd, but I’ll be able to answer better after Saturday night. I can’t get caught up in comparing them now,” Harrison said. “I’ve worked really hard to be more consistent. More consistent in training, so that I can have great performances every time I step into the ring. There’s nothing I want more than a rematch with that Jarrett Hurd. All roads lead to Jarrett Hurd for whoever wins this fight.”
With a win, Jermell is likely headed to a unification fight with Hurd in 2019.
“Tony Harrison is in the way. This fight, I don’t want to leave it up to the judges,” Jermell said. “I do want to get the spectacular knockout. But if we have to fight 12 [rounds], who cares. I want that fight with Jarrett Hurd and I want to be the one that knocks Jarrett Hurd out and takes his belts.”
The opening bout of the tripleheader will feature former heavyweight world title challenger and 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic Breazeale (19-1, 17 KOs), 33, who is risking his status as titleholder Deontay Wilder’s mandatory challenger. But Breazeale has not fought for 13 months and wants to knock off the rust when he faces Carlos Negron (20-1, 16 KOs), 31, a 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian who has won seven fights in a row.
“I know that I’m a contender in the heavyweight division,” Breazeale said. “I came up short against Anthony Joshua [in a knockout loss in a 2016 world title fight], but now I have a beautiful opportunity to go after the WBC title. I’m not letting anyone stand in my way. My main focus is on this fight and securing the title shot. I’m preparing for Carlos Negron like he’s Deontay Wilder.
“I think fighting a guy like Carlos Negron is a steppingstone to getting the fight with Deontay Wilder. He has similar size and stature, so it’s like a rough sketch for the title fight. I want to stay in rhythm and dust off any cobwebs there may be so I’m active and ready when the Wilder fight comes. I’m excited right now because I’m chasing Deontay Wilder. I want that WBC title. I have this fight ahead of me, but I have to beat him to get what I really want. I want to fight for the biggest prize in the sport.”
Negron aims to upset Breazeale’s plans for a title fight.
“I know that this is a chance I have to take advantage of,” he said. “I’ve prepared too hard to waste this. I respect Breazeale, but I believe I have the skills to dominate this fight.”