Jermell Charlo, former undisputed junior middleweight champion with a record of 35-2-1 and 19 knockouts, is gearing up to make a comeback later this summer. It’s been a two-year hiatus since his high-profile bout against Canelo Alvarez on September 30, 2023. That fight, which saw Charlo take home a sizable paycheck, was the last time he stepped into the ring.
### Title Shot?
Rumor has it that Charlo is setting his sights on the champions in the 154-pound division. Sebastian Fundora, who holds the WBC and WBO titles, appears to be a plausible opponent for Charlo. Promoter Tom Brown reportedly mentioned to Lance Pugmire that we can expect Charlo, now 34, to make his return “late summer.”
Yet, there’s a bit of controversy here. Jumping straight into a title fight after a two-year absence might not sit well with everyone, especially considering Charlo’s recent unanimous decision loss to Canelo. Ideally, a match against a top contender like Serhii Bohachuk or Xander Zayas could be more fitting preparation.
It seems unlikely that Charlo will go against IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. The interest was never really there, even when Charlo had a mandatory matchup with him. After such a long break, the idea of tackling Murtazaliev under the IBF’s strict 10-pound rehydration rule doesn’t seem appealing.
There’s also the question of whether Charlo can go through a training camp injury-free. Many recall the challenges Tim Tszyu faced trying to secure a match against Charlo when he held the WBO title, only to suffer a hand injury himself. Then Charlo shifted gears, moving up to 154 to face Canelo, leaving Tszyu in the lurch without a fight.
### Riyadh Dreams?
One has to wonder what’s motivating Charlo’s decision to get back in the game. Could it be the prospect of fighting on the lucrative Riyadh Season cards? The success of Ryan Garcia, reportedly earning $20 million to headline against Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in a tune-up fight on May 2nd, might have sparked some interest in Charlo.
Ryan has the advantage of youth, a huge fan base on social media, and a reputation for being both straightforward and dependable. In contrast, Charlo’s performance against Canelo fell flat, and his past fights with Brian Castano and Tony Harrison left much to be desired.
While fans who are newer to the sport might welcome Charlo back with open arms, those who’ve followed his career closely might be more skeptical. They’ve seen his struggles and may doubt his ability to conquer top-level competition in the 154-pound category.
