What happens next at 154?

Congrats to Charlo becoming the unified champ. He made weight easily tonight and doesn't seem to need to move up any time soon, so this should be a rare occasion where we see the unified champ defend his belts. So where does the division go from here? I believe the IBF mandatory is up first, which is Bakhram Murtazaliev. Murtazaliev is a bum and has been fighting on a lot of PBC cards, so it makes sense as a perfect homecoming defense for Jermell to get an easy win after being in multiple tough fights in a row. Fundora is there waiting on the WBC side, but he will probably need/want at least 1 fight while waiting for the opportunity at the belts. Tony Harrison is ranked as the highest contender, that seems like a super obvious fight for PBC to make. I'd guess we see Fundora vs Harrison in the Fall, with the winner getting Charlo late in the year or early next year. WBA has a rematch coming between Madrimov and Soro, winner of that will be in line for a title shot, but probably further down the pecking order. That probably doesn't happen until 2023 and this seems like the most likely belt for Charlo to vacate of the 4, especially if Madrimov wins that rematch and Matchroom gets involved here. WBA could also do some screwy shit with their regular titles and whatnot. WBO has Tszyu and Kurbanov at the top, think a final eliminator still has to be made. Beefy Smith may also still be in this conversation and I could see them leaving Castano in position to get back up there. Personally, I'd love to see a 4 man tournament between those guys while the other mandatories are dealt with. Any combo of those 4 fighting each other makes for great fights, bring it on. Also keep eyes on top 147 guys moving up soon, especially PBC guys that make easy sales for them. With that being said, if Charlo were to vacate all belts and move up, there will be a mad rush of contenders going for these titles and all the eliminators mentioned previously, probably become for vacant belts. Personally, I hope Jermell sticks around to try and defend the belts for a while, there are plenty of contenders at this weight that can make for interesting fights.

Comments (9)

He's number 1 and I believe he's the mandatory but the WBO is (I think) 3rd in line for their mandatory. So he will need to take one, if not 2 fights in the meantime Is it 3rd? I know it isn't always the case but I thought rotation actually goes WBC, WBA, IBF then WBO with the IBF and WBO already being called and the WBC just now being determined when Fundora beat Lubin.

4y ago

BigZ44

Isn't Tszyu already WBO mandatory? He's number 1 and I believe he's the mandatory but the WBO is (I think) 3rd in line for their mandatory. So he will need to take one, if not 2 fights in the meantime

4y ago

Boxing1013

I do wonder where Jermell goes from here though. 160 is kind of a wasteland for him, maybe staying at 154 is the best move

4y ago

Boxing1013

Congrats, or sorry that it happened, but I'm not reading all of that man

4y ago

El_Escorpion

Man, light middleweight is going to get stacked considering the division's prospects and upcoming welterweights.

4y ago

Southpawology

Charlo vs Fundora showtime PPV this fall

4y ago

Mammoth

Isn't Tszyu already WBO mandatory?

4y ago

GhostofDempsey

He milks the titles against hyped up no-hopers and if Crawford moves to 154, Jermell ducks or moves to 160.

4y ago

anonymous20

I like madrimov but he's still a high level prospect and needs at least half a dozen more fights before he's properly ready. Fundora I think poses the biggest problem because all the sudden Charlo doesn't have the reach and height advantage and a Fundora's long legs lets him get inside very easily. I used to be high on Soro but I think he's wasted his career away. Tszyu could get a shot but he probably needs to fight one or two more times to force a mando.

4y ago