Ortiz Eyes Charlo Fight

Vergil Ortiz Jr. is targeting Jermell Charlo for a November fight at 160 pounds, with Texas and Las Vegas under consideration.

The matchup came about by elimination. Ortiz was unable to secure Jaron Ennis, Sebastian Fundora, Tim Tszyu, Erislandy Lara or Xander Zayas before Charlo emerged as the most viable option. Ortiz only returned to training three weeks ago after resolving his dispute with Golden Boy Promotions: "Charlo: Might be the only possible one for a solid fight," Rick Mirigian (Ortiz’s manager)

Charlo became undisputed junior middleweight champion by beating Brian Castaño, Tony Harrison, Jeison Rosario, Erickson Lubin and Austin Trout — fighters who have since faded entirely from the championship picture. He has not won a fight since stopping Castaño in 2022, and has not competed since his one-sided loss to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023.

Returning from a three-year absence without a tune-up, at 36, against an aggressive pressure fighter operating at full speed, is a significant ask. Ortiz will attack the body, set a relentless pace, and force Charlo to prove his legs and reflexes still work.

Ortiz can be hurt — Serhii Bohachuk dropped him twice — and a sharp Charlo would have openings for his counter right. The question is whether that version of Charlo still exists. Nothing in his recent history suggests it does.