Jermall Charlo: If I hit Dennis Hogan flush, he’s going to sleep

As WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (29-0, 21 KOs) readies himself to defend his strap against Dennis Hogan (28-2-1, 7 KOs) on December 7th in Brooklyn, Charlo says he’s drawing inspiration from his newly born daughter who was just born last week.

“It’s really all about family these days,” said Charlo. “I’m fighting even harder for my family now. I feel like I’m on cloud nine and on top of the world right now. We’ve been ready for the arrival of my daughter and I’m so happy she’s here in time to see her father fight on December 7.”

The 29-year-old titleholder then made it clear that he’s going into this fight looking for a dramatic stoppage, something fighters tend to say they’ll just let happen organically. Not Charlo, though.

“You hear fighters say that they’re not going for the knockout, but I am,” said Charlo. “If I hit Hogan with something flush, he’s going to sleep. I’m in shape. I’m strong. I’m going for the knockout if it’s there. If he thinks he can bully me, then I’ll show him he made a big mistake. I’m back where I want to be. It took me a little while to fill out into a true middleweight, but I’m here now.

“I know everything about Hogan,” said Charlo. “I know he’s been in Florida thinking that he’s getting ready for me. He has no idea. He’s a small slugger who’s got to worry about his weight, but I’m going sit right there and fight with Hogan. I’m not going anywhere. My mind is sharper than his also, but if he wants to make it a brawl, I’m ready.”

Charlo and Hogan will go head-to-head in a Showtime broadcast airing live from the Barclays Center starting at 9 p.m. ET, with Chris Eubank also scheduled to take on Matt Korobov for the WBA’s interim middleweight title. Finally, Marlon Tapales will face Ryosuke Iwasa for the IBF’s interim super bantamweight title.