Jermell Charlo Eager To Return To The Ring Next Year – ‘Give Me The Best’

Jermell Charlo is desperate to return to the ring next year.
Charlo has not boxed since losing to Canelo Alvarez last year. He moved up two weight classes from 154 pounds to take that fight. The former Undisputed Junior Middleweight Champion struggled, losing via a one-sided unanimous decision. He then had a chance to return to 154 pounds. But he was stripped by the WBO for not facing Tim Tszyu. Charlo then vacated his IBF Title after not fighting his then-mandatory Bakhram Murtazaliev. Charlo was a Champion in Recess for the WBC belt.
But Fundora boxed Tszyu for the vacant belt, winning it in the process. The only belt Charlo had was the WBA. But the organization stripped him. That increased the narrative that Charlo could retire. Reports indicated that Charlo secured $20 million for the Canelo fight, which may explain why he has not been in the ring for a while. But now Charlo has indicated he wants to make a return.
Charlo Reacts
“Premier Boxing, give me the best you got, or whoever you think can handle me at 154. Let the fans choose. Lions only. Make it make sense,” Charlo said
This naturally raises question marks over who he could face. Charlo could move up to 160 pounds and aim for a title. Erislandy Lara is the oldest champion in the weight class. Lara is 41 and holds the WBA belt. Alternatively, Charlo could focus his attention at 154 pounds. A fight is possible against Tszyu. They were on course to face each other. But Charlo pulled out of the fight with a hand injury. Charlo then chose to box Canelo at 168 rather than facing Tszyu, meaning he was stripped of his WBO belt. Tszyu’s form has dropped dramatically since then.
Options
The Australian has lost his last two fights. He lost the Fundora fight after suffering a massive cut over his hairline. The cut continued to bleed throughout the fight, hampering Tszyu’s vision. In hindsight, his corner should have stopped the fight. Tszyu then lost against Murtazaliev, missing out on the IBF belt. He was dropped several times in the worst performance of his career. The fight may be the right time for Charlo. Tszyu still wants that fight. But if he cannot get that, Tim has eyes on Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.
“Right now a perfect 2025 would be fighting Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr, and Jermell Charlo. But people’s stocks go up and down every month and the dynamic changes with new winners and losers. A Crawford fight against me would be cracking. Styles make fights, and that one would be one hell of a show. I think Crawford did well against Israil Madrimov. Critics are going to always be like that. Madrimov is not a bum. People don’t understand that. But right now I have all of the fights in front of me. We’ll see how it goes,” Tszyu said
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