Boxing Coverage on Sherdog.comJermall Charlo to Fight Jorge Heiland in Middleweight Championship Eliminator
Jermall Charlo established himself as one of the best fighters in
the world at junior middleweight and after vacating his title in
February, he’s ready to try his hands at middleweight. Charlo is
set to make his 160-pound debut on July 29 against Jorge Sebastian
Heiland on Showtime.
The Houston resident quickly tore through the ranks at 154 pounds and captured the IBF junior middleweight crown by stomping out Cornelius Bundrage in the third two years ago. Charlo successfully defended his title against Wilky Campfort, Austin Trout and Julian Williams before vacating it.
“I've been training since end of January to prepare myself for the
move up to middleweight,” said Charlo (25-0, 19 KOs). “I'm feeling
stronger, I'm feeling smarter and overall, I'm feeling better.
Heiland is a tough fighter and I know he plans on bringing his
A-game on July 29. He's just as hungry as me. We both want to be in
a place to fight the best in the division, but I never overlook the
opponent in front of me. It's time to make my mark so I can become
a two-division world champion. I plan to take care of business at
160 just like I did at 154.”
Heiland, meanwhile, is a crafty veteran from Argentina. He’s won his last eight bouts – seven via knockout – and is aiming to be the first man to conquer Charlo in the pros. Though he did challenge Sebastian Zbik for an interim middleweight title, he came up short in the bout, which took place seven years ago. He has since won a regional title but has yet to face the type of foe that Charlo is.
“I'm thrilled to be facing a great fighter like Jermall Charlo,” said Heiland (29-4-2, 16 KOs). “I've waited a long time for a chance like this, so I will give it my all. I am fearless and I promise that this bout will be an all-out war because my career and livelihood are on the line.”
The Charlo-Heiland bout is an eliminator bout for the WBC middleweight title, currently held by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The matchup will serve as the lead-in for the massive Mikey Garcia versus Adrien Broner super lightweight bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Additional televised undercard action will see Gerald Washington take on Jarrell Miller in a 10-round heavyweight showdown. Televised coverage begins on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
The Houston resident quickly tore through the ranks at 154 pounds and captured the IBF junior middleweight crown by stomping out Cornelius Bundrage in the third two years ago. Charlo successfully defended his title against Wilky Campfort, Austin Trout and Julian Williams before vacating it.
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Heiland, meanwhile, is a crafty veteran from Argentina. He’s won his last eight bouts – seven via knockout – and is aiming to be the first man to conquer Charlo in the pros. Though he did challenge Sebastian Zbik for an interim middleweight title, he came up short in the bout, which took place seven years ago. He has since won a regional title but has yet to face the type of foe that Charlo is.
“I'm thrilled to be facing a great fighter like Jermall Charlo,” said Heiland (29-4-2, 16 KOs). “I've waited a long time for a chance like this, so I will give it my all. I am fearless and I promise that this bout will be an all-out war because my career and livelihood are on the line.”
The Charlo-Heiland bout is an eliminator bout for the WBC middleweight title, currently held by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The matchup will serve as the lead-in for the massive Mikey Garcia versus Adrien Broner super lightweight bout at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Additional televised undercard action will see Gerald Washington take on Jarrell Miller in a 10-round heavyweight showdown. Televised coverage begins on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
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