Is Jermall Charlo backtracking on a possible fight with David Benavidez?
Since early 2020, Jermall “Hit Man” Charlo (31-0, 22 KO’s) has openly talked about fighting David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez (24-0, 21 KO’s). The WBC middleweight champion has acknowledged he’d have to jump to super middleweight to make the fight happen. According to the Hit Man, however, that leap would be a breeze.
In his mind, Charlo can’t see anyway that Benavidez could hang with his power and skillset. The vexing part of their whole back-and-forth exchange is Charlo’s constant flip-flopping on the subject. In one interview he is boastful almost to the point of arrogance and insists that he wants the fight. Then in another, he will name a laundry list of bizarre requirements that Benavidez would have to satisfy.
REALTED: David Benavidez to Jermall Charlo: “What’s The Problem? Let’s Fight!”
ARE YOU IN OR OUT?!
In a recent appearance on the Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer Charlo gave every indication that he doesn’t want the Benavidez fight.
“First off I am the WBC middleweight champion of the world. This dude fights at 168 and he has no belt, he has no title, he has nothing! Like I don’t get the duck situation. People just not being smart, but that is part of the game. But like me moving up to 168 to fight a nobody with no belt no nothing, I might as well go up to 168 and fight a champion, right?”
It is true that Benavidez does not have a belt, but he is a former world champion. Not only is he a former champion, he is undefeated and never lost his titles in the ring. So in terms of Benavidez being a “nobody”, that is simply a flat out lie. The only reason this fight is so intriguing to the fans is because of the skill of both well-known combatants.
In fact, had he still owned his belt there would be tremendous pressure for boxing cash cow Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to dance with him. El Bandera Roja certainly would not be getting mentioned with Canelo if he were truly a “nobody”. Also, stepping up to super middleweight and defeating Benavidez would be a huge feather in Charlo’s cap. Said to say, Hit Man would get a lot more than “nothing” if he were the first to tame the former champion.
Only time will tell how all of this ultimately plays out. However, let’s hope they do collide. In the event that they don’t go head-to-head ideally they will still face top opposition. Yet, it will be regrettable if Charlo passes on the Benavidez bout only to face lesser competition.
Regardless of the outcome 3kingsboxing will be there to report the news.
By: Bakari Simpson
