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 rested for the last 15 months after taking a wide 12-rounder against the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez lost by unanimous decision in a no-contest on September 30, 2023.
Fans on social media joke that the 34-year-old Charlo spent the estimated $20 million salary he received for the Canelo fight. Charlo didn’t blow his total earnings; he made the right decision to resume his career. Jermell could make a lot of money if he fights on one of Turki Al-Shiekh’s cards in Riyadh.
The 154-lb division has gotten a lot better in the last year since Charlo held four belts in that weight class, and it’s doubtful he can beat any of the top fighters right now. He’s been out for too long, and there are more talented guys at the top now than when Jermell held belts.
It will 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 Turki, the easiest fight to put together would be Jermell vs. IBF champion Murtazaliev. Crawford is not going to agree to fight Charlo unless he is offered big money, perhaps more than he got for his fight against Madrimov on August 3rd.
Most of those fighters would beat the version of Jermell who lost to Canelo and struggled against Brian Castano and Tony Harrison. Once again, the 154-lb division has changed and gotten much better. Charlo turns 35 on May 19, and that’s not young for any weight class.
If Charlo does come back, he needs to stay active rather than fight once and then disappear for a year. He has fought on an annual basis since 2020. He didn’t fight in 2024, but rested after getting a big payday against Canelo.
