Light-middleweight king Charlo is bravely rising up two weight divisions for a daunting challenge against the sport’s biggest superstar, who has been the first man to hold all the belts at super-middle since memorably completing the set against Caleb Plant back in November 2021.
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But while Charlo – whose identical twin brother Jermall remains the WBC middleweight champion – has the chance to enter his name into boxing folklore this weekend, Canelo cannot claim his 154lbs titles with victory and is only defending his own WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and WBO gold at 168 on the night.
It is a second outing of the year for the legendary four-weight world champion, who enjoyed a triumphant homecoming in May as he outpointed the stubborn British challenger John Ryder in front of 50,000 adoring fans in Guadalajara – his first fight on Mexican soil since 2011.
That victory was the 59th of his illustrious 63-fight career to date, with Canelo having also successfully settled his blockbuster rivalry with Gennady Golovkin 12 months ago to bounce back from a shock second professional loss to Dmitry Bivol as he challenged for the WBA light-heavyweight title last May.
The chance to avenge that surprise defeat to the skilful Russian is still weighing heavily on his mind as he takes on this latest challenge against American Charlo, who has not fought for some 16 months since he stopped Brian Castano in a rematch of their lively 2021 draw as he picked up the WBO light-middleweight belt to become undisputed in the division.
Canelo vs Charlo date, start time, venue and ring walks
Canelo vs Charlo takes place tonight on Saturday September 30, 2023 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It will be a familiar late night/early wake-up call for British fight fans, as always with Vegas, with the main event ring walks not expected to take place until approximately 4am BST at the earliest on Sunday morning. The main card is due to start at 1am, meanwhile.
Undisputed kings: Canelo Alvarez takes on Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas on Saturday night
/ Getty ImagesCanelo vs Charlo fight card/undercard in full
Saturday’s undercard is headlined by former WBA welterweight champion and Manny Pacquiao-conqueror Yordenis Ugas of Cuba, who fights for the first time since being dethroned by Errol Spence Jr last April and suffering a fractured orbital bone in the process.
He takes on ex-WBA super-lightweight champion Mario Barrios for the WBC interim belt at 147lbs.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo
Yordenis Ugas vs Mario Barrios
Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr vs Erickson Lubin
Elijah Garcia vs Jose Armando Resendiz
Frank Sanchez vs Scott Alexander
Gabriel Valenzuela vs Yeis Gabriel Solano
Terrell Gausha vs KeAndre Leatherwood
Oleksandr Gvozdyk vs Isaac Rodrigues
Curmel Moton vs Ezequiel Flores
Justin Viloria vs Angel Barrera
How to watch Canelo vs Charlo
TV channel: In the UK, fight fans can watch Canelo vs Charlo live via sports streaming service DAZN as part of their non-pay-per-view service. Subscriptions start from £9.99 per month. DAZN operates a TV channel at number 429 on Sky.
Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the action live online via the DAZN website and app.
Live blog: Follow the whole fight card on the night with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Canelo vs Charlo fight prediction
The gifted and exciting Charlo, who stands four inches taller than his opponent, absolutely has the speed and skills to trouble Canelo and make it an uncomfortable night for the Mexican, certainly through the first few rounds anyway.
However, while Canelo is certainly not big for the weight at super-middle, we ultimately expect the two-division jump to be too much to bridge as he eventually gets worn down as so many others have by the Mexican’s relentless stalking and energy-sapping body punching.
Provided he can cope with the fast hands and footwork on display from Charlo, Canelo should get a late knockout to provide a statement reminder of his enduring class and hopefully tee up either the Bivol rematch or maybe even a delicious clash with David Benavidez.
Canelo to win ,via late stoppage.
Homecoming: Canelo beat Britain’s John Ryder in May in his first fight in Mexico since 2011
/ Getty ImagesCanelo vs Charlo weigh-in results
Both fighters tipped the scales at 167.4lbs on Friday, inside the 168lbs super-middleweight limit. It is obviously the heaviest that Charlo has ever been in his career as he jumps up two divisions.
Canelo vs Charlo betting odds
Canelo to win: 1/5
Charlo to win: 7/2
Draw: 16/1
Canelo to win by knockout or TKO: 13/5
Charlo to win by knockout or TKO: 10/1
Canelo to win on points: 8/11
Charlo to win on points: 11/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
