Jermall Charlo is back in the gym, training for his comeback to prepare for a return to the ring in 2025.
Former undisputed junior middleweight champion Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) has been resting for the past 15 months after losing to IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez by a wide 12-round. unanimous decision in an effortless effort on September 30, 2023.
Fans on social media joked that Charlo, 34, spent the estimated $20 million payday he received for the Canelo fight. Charlo did not disclose his total earnings; he made the right decision to resume his career. Jermell can make a lot of money if he fights on one of Turki Al-Shiekh’s cards in Riyadh.
The 154lb division has been much better in the last year since Charlo has held four belts in that weight class, and it is questionable if he can beat any of the top fighters. He’s been out for too long, and there are more talented guys at the top now than when Jermell held belts.
It would be interesting for fans if Al-Shiekh offers Jermell a fight against one of these talents:
– Israel Madrimov
– Serhii Bohachuk
– Vergil Ortiz Jr.
– Charles Conwell
– Bakhram Murtazaliev
– Sebastian Fundora
– Terence Crawford
– Xander Zayas
– Yoeniz Tellaz
– Tim Tszyu
If you’re Turk, the easiest fight to put together would be Jermell against IBF champion Murtazaliev. Crawford won’t agree to fight Charlo unless he’s offered a lot of money, maybe more than he got for his match against Madrimov on August 3.
Most of those fighters will fight the version of Jermell who lost to Canelo and fought against Brian Castano and Tony Harrison. Again, the 154 lb division has changed and is much better. Charlo will turn 35 on May 19, and that’s not young for any weight class.
If Charlo comes back, he needs to stay active rather than fight once and then disappear for a year. He had fought on an annual basis since 2020. He did not fight in 2024, resting after getting a big payday against Canelo.
