Jermall Charlo On Moving to 168 and Jermell Taking Over at 160
On May 14, Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) scored a career-best win as he stopped Brian Castano (17-1-2, 12 KOs) in ten rounds to become undisputed junior middleweight champion. Now standing alone as the current king at 154 pounds, fans and pundits all over are contemplating his next move.
Charlo was mum and noncommittal when asked by boxing media during post-fight interviews. Instead, he chose to celebrate his win over Castano to become the first man in the history of that division to attain undisputed status.
But a window into his future seems to have been provided by his twin brother and current WBC 160-pound Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs). Speaking to Fight Hub TV, he gave this teaser about what could be down the road.
“I go up to 168, and I let my brother reign at 160, that’s how it goes.”
When questioned if this was his twin brother’s last fight at 154, the older sibling said the following:
“Maybe so; I don’t want him to try to make weight anymore. It’s time for him to move up. He’s already undisputed at 154. I can let my brother move up to 160, and I can go to 168. I think that would be the best thing my mom ever asked for […] Yeah, and it will set me up to be undisputed. Hopefully, I get Canelo by the end of the year.”
READY TO CONQUER ANOTHER DIVISION?
If that is indeed the plan, is it the right one? Some would argue that the junior middleweight king should stay where he is and defend his titles. WBC Interim champion Sebastian Fundora and WBO mandatory challenger Tim Tszyu were in attendance for Charlo-Castano II. Defenses against either man would perk the interest of fans.
However, the middleweight division is in a period of transition. Current WBO champ Demetrius Andrade is looking to move up to 168 while IBF champ Gennady Golovkin is not the fighter once he was. The best of the rest are ex-WBA champ Ryota Murata, Chris Eubank Jr, Erislany Lara, Jaime Munguia, and top contender Janibek Alimkhanuly. Could the undisputed junior middleweight champ have the same success at 160 that he’s had at 154?
A WELCOMED SIGHT
Should the middleweight Charlo move up to 168, a lot of fans would say it’s about damn time. In truth, he’s done nothing significant since capturing the WBC belt in 2019. As a result, his career has stagnated. So, a move up in weight could provide a much-needed boost.
His hope to fight Alvarez at the end of this year doesn’t seem likely. The reigning undisputed super middleweight champion is coming off a loss to current WBA light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol on May 7. Next up for Alvarez is either a rematch with Bivol or a trilogy with Golovkin. A secondary option could be a fight with bitter rival David Benavidez.
Fans have pestered him about Benavidez. After initially expressing annoyance and indifference about that potential battle, the 31-year-old now seems open to fighting him. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Stay to 3Kings Boxing for future updates.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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