Jermall Charlo called the WBC middleweight title “nothing but a trophy” during an intense virtual press conference with Jose Benavidez Jr. on Tuesday.

Critics have chastised Charlo and the WBC because he remains its 160-pound champion despite the fact that he hasn’t fought in 28 months. That criticism has only intensified since it was revealed that Charlo’s first fight since June 2021 will be a 10-round, non-title bout versus Benavidez on November 25 in Las Vegas.

Benavidez revealed during their virtual press conference that they will meet at a catch weight of 163 pounds, three pounds above the middleweight limit. One reporter pressed Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) on whether it’s fair for him to remain the WBC’s champion after such an unusually long period of inactivity since his 12-round, unanimous-decision victory over Mexican veteran Juan Macias Montiel more than two years ago at Toyota Center in Houston.

“It’s no reason, man,” Charlo replied. “It’s no reason. Y’all want [the WBC belt], you can have it. You come get it tomorrow.”

Charlo acknowledged earlier during the press conference that he is interested in moving up to the 168-pound division for his first fight of 2024. The 33-year-old Charlo would be considered as an opponent for David Benavidez if Charlo defeats Jose Benavidez Jr. and David Benavidez beats Demetrius Andrade in Showtime Pay-Per-View’s main event November 25.

Phoenix’s David Benavidez obviously would prefer to challenge Canelo Alvarez for super middleweight supremacy if he defeats Andrade, but Mexico’s Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) could fight someone else when he returns to the ring May 4.

“This is the first step to like – you know what I mean? – getting to the next weight class,” Charlo said of boxing Benavidez at 163 pounds. “Imma use the little big brother, wit’ his little man syndrome. Imma use him.”

Houston’s Charlo was asked by Showtime’s Brian Custer, who moderated the press conference, and Jose Benavidez Jr. why his WBC middleweight title won’t be at stake in their co-feature at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena.

“Man, I’m listening to the handlers,” Charlo said. “I’m listening to what the WBC’s telling me.”

When Benavidez pushed the issue, Charlo replied, “You wanna make a belt that we can fight for? You wanna make a belt that we can fight for? It’s nothing but a trophy. It’s nothing but a trophy, dog.”

Physical injuries and mental health issues have contributed to Charlo’s lengthy layoff. Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, has publicly supported Charlo and has not named him “champion in recess.”

Carlos Adames nevertheless has held the WBC interim middleweight title since last October 8, when he knocked out Montiel (23-6-2, 23 KOs) in the third round of their fight for that vacant championship at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The WBC has not ordered a bout between Charlo and the Dominican Republic’s Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) in the 13 months since Adames was crowned its interim 160-pound champion.

Charlo contended Tuesday that he can still get down to the middleweight limit of 160 pounds. Benavidez (28-2-1, 19 KOs) is not ranked among the WBC’s top 15 middleweight contenders, however, which is a requirement to fight for any of its titles.

Phoenix’s Benavidez, 31, has fought just twice in middleweight matches. He is 1-0-1 in those bouts, but the former WBA interim super lightweight champion’s only middleweight win came against journeyman Sladan Janjanin (37-17, 26 KOs), who Benavidez stopped in the fifth round August 12 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.