Jermall… Charlo… More like Marco Polo
By Eddie Sanchez
What in the world is going on with Jermall Charlo and his career? At this point, with the lack of activity and rumors surrounding his name, you could legitimately replace Jermall Charlo with Marco Polo, and I’m sure the kids would understand the game you are trying to play.
Jokes aside, the (32-0) Charlo last fought in June 2021, when he defeated Juan Macias Montiel via unanimous decision. When this bout was announced, fans groaned, and when it went the distance, many eyes rolled.
Since that bout, Charlo was charged with a felony assault, in February 2022, that was later dismissed, a nagging back that has steered him to the winds of caution, and echoes of silence regarding his future as a fighter. While there were the common mumbles about Canelo, GGG, Benavidez, most fans dismissed those as legitimate potential opponents given his track record. He is not fighting the top fighters like his brother, Jermell Charlo, the Undisputed Junior Middleweight Champion of the world, who is defending his belts against Tim Tsyzu in January by the way!
At present time, Charlo has been inactive for 18 months now, and the only rumors we have heard are that he would like to fight either Dmitry Bivol, or the winner of the anticipated bout between Caleb Plant and David Benavidez. Let’s get that Bivol nonsense out of the way. He is fully focused on Artur Beterbiev and Canelo Alvarez in the near future – case dismissed.
Facing the winner between Benevidez and Plant on the other hand? I’ll take that with a grain of salt. First, that fight has not been formally announced, and there are murmurs that this fight may be scrapped all together. While Caleb Plant is adamant that this bout will happen, the silence is a pause for cause.
If we maneuver off the assumption that this fight will be announced soon, that fight likely won’t take place until late-April at the earliest, with June being the most likely month it takes place. At that point, Charlo will have been on the shelf for 22-24 months, and STILL be waiting for his turn at the winner.
While I would fully expect him to take on a tuneup fight to prepare, that would not happen until March at the earliest as well given the lack of announcement and the necessary camp dates that he would need. And if he is to return before March, then that opponent would be someone who likely isn’t worth a damn (with all due respect). Remember, he is a large middleweight, and if he is to move up to 168, even though this may be a more natural weight class, he will still have to properly adjust his body.
So who’s next for Jermall Charlo? Is Jaime Mungia a possibility? Maybe, but I imagine DAZN and De la Hoya would offer too many hiccups in the negotiating room for Al Haymon and Showtime.
If Canelo Alvarez is in pristine shape, and his hand is fully retrieved from surgery, could this be an option for Jermall Charlo? Perhaps, though unlikely. Charlo would be putting himself in a poor position against his greatest opponent, though Canelo Alvarez would also be returning from injury. So let’s leave this as TBD for now.
In the coming months, hopefully fans will receive some news on Jermall Charlo’s career. Hopefully that’s his New Year’s Resolution.
