Jermall Charlo June Middleweight Title Defense Slated for Houston

We have known for weeks since Showtime rolled out their summer schedule of world title fights that Jermall Charlo would be defending his WBC Middleweight title on June 16th. And, now the network and Premier Boxing Champions have confirmed it will be in his hometown of Houston.

Showtime confirmed in a press release that Charlo will headline in the downtown Toyota Center against Juan Macías Montiel next month, saying in part:

“Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) will return to fight in his hometown for the first time since a June 2019 unanimous decision victory over Brandon Adams on SHOWTIME. The 30-year-old most recently scored an impressive victory over top middleweight contender Sergey Derevyanchenko in their September 2020 showdown. Charlo has held the WBC middleweight belt since 2019, after a championship reign at 154-pounds that lasted from 2015 through 2017. He has compiled a perfect 6-0 record since moving up to middleweight and owns victories over former champions Julian Williams, Austin Trout and Cornelius Bundrage at super welterweight.

“It’s great to be back in the ring, headlining on SHOWTIME and defending my title in front of my hometown fans in Houston,” said Charlo. “Fighting on Juneteenth means a lot to me because there is a battle going on far greater than this. That said, I have to handle my business on June 19. Montiel is a tough, young, power puncher. I know he wants my crown, but I’m hungrier than ever and ready to put on a show for my fans. Get ready for a special, explosive night.”

The lightly regarded Montiel is 22-4-2, 22 KOs, but has earned knockouts in all 22 of his pro victories. The 27-year-old Mexican scored a first-round knockout victory over longtime contender James Kirkland in December 2020.

Montiel said in the press release,

“I know that I am fighting the best middleweight in the world, but he has never faced someone who can punch like I can,” said Montiel. “All my losses in the past are from not training properly and trying to win by one-punch knockout. I’ve grown up and become a man since then. I proved that I was different when I beat Marco Reyes in 2019, and I haven’t left the gym since then…” 

22-year-old Lightweight contender Isaac Cruz (21-1-1, 15 KOs) will headline the co-feature, when he battles veteran and former world champ, Francisco Vargas.

The Toyota Center seats over 18,000 for boxing at full capacity. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas lifted all Covid 19 restrictions in late March and that is allowing businesses to welcome in patrons (in this case, fans) at 100%.

Obviously, last weekend in Arlington, Texas, saw a record-smashing 73,000 fans for Canelo Alvarez’s title with by TKO over Billy Joe Saunders to break the North American indoor boxing attendance record.

We’ll wait to see what the announced capacity will be for the Charlo defense.