Breaking News: Jermell Charlo Relinquishes His IBF Belt
The former undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo has relinquished his IBF belt.
The news comes as the American chose to sidestep his mandatory Bakhram Murtazaliev just when a purse bid was scheduled for November 21st, 2023. The decision leaves Charlo with only two belts (the WBC and WBA) after the WBO had done a similar thing. The American was stripped of the WBO belt after he chose to fight Canelo Alvarez rather than face Tim Tszyu. Charlo was on course to take on the Australian, but he pulled out with an injury to his left hand. Thereafter, the WBO stripped the fighter, as Tszyu became the new WBO champion.
Charlo Vacates
The current news means that Murtazaliev could face the highest-ranked fighter, who is currently Jack Culcay. After all, the Russian boxer had been a mandatory since 2019. A fight with Charlo had been agreed upon once the American faced Brian Castano in their rematch. But given that Charlo’s WBO mandatory was called first, Tszyu, the fight never happened as Charlo faced Canelo instead of his WBO obligations.
As for Charlo, the boxer has serious questions over his next steps. He could go down to middleweight and take on a new weight class after having become undisputed at 154 pounds. After all, it would be in the same weight class as his brother, Jermall Charlo. In addition, Charlo could take on Terence Crawford or Tszyu. But with one less belt at his disposal, will Charlo be able to command those fights? Regardless of what the next steps were, boxing fans had a lot to say.
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