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Jermell Charlo has never been the type to need a fight ahead of him in order to remain in peak physical condition.
As the boxing world is at a standstill, Charlo continues to go about each day as if the next phone call he receives will be an alert that he’s up to defend his 154-pound title. Nobody knows for certain when that day will come for any boxer, but the two-time and reigning 154-pound titlist from Houston, Texas is ready for that next step at any given time.
“Anybody that know me, they know what it is. I’m on y’all ass,” Charlo (33-1, 17KOs) spelled out during a recent live video chat on the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) Facebook page, flashing his biceps and six-pack as proof of staying ready rather than having to get ready. “I want you to know that I’m the 154-pound champion and I’ve stayed in shape.
“When they’re ready, let me know. We’re gonna fill up them stadiums when this quarantine sh-t is over and we’re back in action.”
Many of the questions he fielded seemed to suggest fans continued to confuse him with twin brother, unbeaten two-division and reigning middleweight titlist Jermall Charlo. His own blunt replies rectified that matter in an instant, as did a tour of his house which included a display of the belts he’s collected at junior middleweight—and with plenty of room to add more.
“I don’t plan on moving up. I got to get more of these (154-pound) belts,” noted Charlo, who avenged his lone career loss with an 11th round stoppage of Tony Harrison to regain his title in their rematch last December. “I got the WBCs, I got these colorful ones. My kids like colors and they like unique things that look tight. I heard one of those belts got two lions on it (the WBA “Super” Championship title—and Charlo’s infatuation a reference to the Lions Only Promotions company headed by the twins). So I DEFINITELY need him (unified 154-pound titlist Jeison Rosario).
“So the other belt, it’s whatever. (Golden Boy Promotions founder and chairman Oscar) De la Hoya is holding onto one belt just to remain relevant (GBP-promoted WBO 154-pound titlist Patrick Teixeira). He needs to come out. He might come out with one leg or come out with no tail but it is what it is.”
Once the sport is able to proceed with the elite level of boxing at which Charlo currently resides, the other titlists might not have a choice but to look his way. With a condensed 2020 schedule ahead, there will be little room for voluntary defenses that fall well short of public demand.
“I don’t make the fights,” notes Charlo. “I just live the life and let them hate on me.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox