Houston native and two-division world champion Jermall Charlo finds himself awaiting his return to the boxing ring after missing out on the opportunity to face boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. Despite residing in Missouri City, the 33-year-old remains deeply connected to his Houston roots.
Charlo currently holds the title of WBC middleweight champion, boasting an impressive undefeated record of 33-0 with 22 knockouts. His most recent victory came in a 10-round unanimous decision over contender Jose Benavidez Jr. on Nov. 25, 2023, marking his return to the ring after a two-year hiatus. Notably, the bout against Benavidez Jr. was fought at a catchweight of 163 pounds, with Charlo’s middleweight title not at stake.
Interestingly, Jermall’s twin brother, Jermell, had the opportunity to face Alvarez last year but suffered his second career defeat to the super middleweight champion. Both Jermall and Jermell stand as the only pair of brothers in boxing history to hold world champion titles, with Jermell being the former undisputed super welterweight champion and the current WBA champion.
As Canelo explores other potential opponents for his fight date on Cinco de Mayo, speculation arises regarding Jermall Charlo’s next move in the 160-pound weight class.
One option for Charlo is to transition to the super middleweight division, where notable names such as David Benavidez, Caleb Plant, and David Morrell await potential matchups. Given Charlo’s association with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, securing fights with super middleweight fighters aligned with PBC would be advantageous for him.
Alternatively, Charlo could opt to remain in the middleweight division and pursue unification bouts with other titleholders, including Janibek Alimkhanuly and Erislandy Lara. Lara, being aligned with PBC, presents a logical opponent choice for Charlo.
Considering the importance of venue in boxing, Charlo should consider a homecoming fight in Houston, where he last fought three years ago. NRG Stadium and Minute Maid Park are potential venues for such an event, regardless of whether it’s a title defense, unification bout, or a shift to another weight category.
In essence, Charlo’s priority for the year ahead should be to stay active in the ring and secure significant fights to further solidify his boxing legacy.
