“Derrick James, he started getting a little bit more fighters and a little bit more hype, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.
Charlo said as James built a bigger stable, there was less direct time with him and more attempts to control the gym environment. He claimed James wanted things done his way, including telling fighters to remove their dogs from the gym during workouts and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.
Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, while James also recently defeated Errol Spence Jr. divorced A coach once considered one of the sport’s safest hands is suddenly facing public criticism from two of its biggest names.
“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “The coach needs us. Don’t get too big, coach. Calm down, coach. I was your first champion.”
He also pointed to his camp for the Alvarez fight and said support around him wasn’t on the same page when he needed it most.
“You don’t go into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.
Charlo still believes he can reclaim his spot at junior middleweight, with talks underway for a possible fight against Sebastian Fundora later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with old alliances clearly has. Sometimes a rift starts when success changes the room.
