"And once God makes those big giants in the division, they take over like the Klitschkos did at heavyweight. And that's the biggest division and me and my brother are the biggest in our division. So it's gonna be the same thing with me and my brother, Jermell. We gonna take over the division. There is nobody out there that could beat us. They gonna claim that our body style and our height don't even out to a junior middleweight. We a little bit above average, but you know what? It is what it is; God-given attributes that nobody can beat," stated undefeated jr. middleweight contender Jermall Charlo, who talked about his recent victory, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!
PC: Congrats on your 5th round knockout of Joseph De Los Santos. How do you feel about your performance?
JC: I mean, closing out the year strong, I grade myself an A+ just for knocking out someone who hasn't really been knocked out before.
PC: You showed a lot of patience in getting the knockout, although a lot of fans were getting impatient on waiting for it. They felt like you could have turned it on sooner, but I feel that's one of your better qualities is the fact that you stay composed even when having your opponent hurt.
JC: That's my style. I use my IQ in the ring and I let the knockout come because I use my IQ. A lot of fans just want those type of fights where a fighter comes out and just knocks guys out or whatever, but my Team Charlo fans know that when the first bell sounds, I'm going to take my time, break them down, and get them out of there. The real Team Charlo fans know that, so I don't really get energy from the crowd or any of that. I just go in, take my time, and do my work.
PC: You have tremendous height and reach for this weight class. Do you feel like that will eventually distance you from the rest of the pack?
JC: It is! It's not like a sport where you play basketball and you are 6'1", where that's a tall guy, but not necessarily for a basketball player. In boxing, I feel like I got an advantage at 6'1" fighting at junior middleweight; not just because I'm fighting shorter guys, but my opponents in the near future and guys who have titles right now, none of them are tall. None of them have faced tall fighters and there are no big giants in the division. And once God makes those big giants in the division, they take over like the Klitschkos did at heavyweight. And that's the biggest division and me and my brother are the biggest in our division. So it's gonna be the same thing with me and my brother, Jermell. We gonna take over the division. There is nobody out there that could beat us. They gonna claim that our body style and our height don't even out to a junior middleweight. We a little bit above average, but you know what? It is what it is; God-given attributes that nobody can beat.
PC: You told me last time we spoke that you were all about staying busy. Was 7 fights enough for you (laughing)?
JC: Yes! I wasn't tired, I wasn't burnt out all year, and I enjoyed myself all year. I was on some of the biggest cards of the year and I enjoy my job.
PC: Although none of your fights this year went the distance, you never seemed to be gassing or happy that the fight was over. Talk about your conditioning a little.
JC: My condition is great. I don't know if you are really familiar with where we train at at, Plex.
PC: Bryan Vera told me it's a rough camp out there and that you guys put that work in.
JC: Yeah, we all work out at Plex together and he push me just like I push him and that's why he looked the way he looked against Chavez Jr. That was the best he ever looked in his whole career. Training in Houston is way better than training in Colorado to me because of the humidity and the fact that we are never gonna get as hot in the ring as we do when we're training. It's an advantage of my attributes and my natural things I was born with. They not gonna get past me at 154, trust me. They can say what they want, when they get hit with leverage in power and speed and all that at one time...they are not taking these punches well. So I'm gonna continue to throw this overhand right and work on my strength and my power and my quickness and catch them all and lay them down.
PC: What kind of year are you looking to have in 2014?
JC: I really just hope that we can get in with those champions that we discussed. Whoever people look up to as the best boxers in the land right now, we need those guys. I just want to shock somebody to where they just be like, "They the real deal!" That's what everybody gonna say. Being from Houston, Texas, once we capture our city, we pretty much got the world.
PC: When you fought in Vegas the week of Mayweather/Canelo, Rashard Lewis of the Miami Heat was in attendance for you. What's the connection there?
JC: Rashard is from Houston. He actually from my rival high school. I went to Hastings High School and he went to Elsik High School, but we just so happened to meet back up at Plex and we just been cool ever since. He show us a lot of love and support; everybody on the Miami Heat team show us how to become a true champion, so he plays a big part in my career.
PC: I look forward to seeing big things from you and your brother next year; best of luck. Is there anything else you want to say my man?
JC: I got you, man. I just want everyone to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @FutureOfBoxing and stay updated!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]