The time has come for Jermall Charlo to be definitively stripped of his WBC middleweight title. Despite blatantly disregarding the standards upheld by any reputable sanctioning body by retaining his title for two years without stepping into the ring even once, recent developments involving Charlo’s twin brother Jermell Charlo, coupled with Jermall’s own recent altercation with super middleweight contender Caleb Plant, have created a situation where it’s almost criminal for him to retain his championship status.
Following the WBO’s swift action in stripping Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KO’s) of his WBO title the moment he steps into the ring against Canelo Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KO’s) on September 30, the WBC now stands at a crossroads with their middleweight champion, Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KO’s)—the twin brother of Jermell Charlo. While Jermell Charlo faced consequences for repeatedly delaying Tim Tszyu’s (23-0, 17 KO’s) shot at a world title, opting instead to take on Canelo Alvarez, Jermall Charlo’s actions are even more egregious.
His prolonged absence from the ring has been attributed to “mental health” issues, yet no concrete evidence supports this claim. Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC president, was questioned on this matter but chose to overlook any potential wrongdoing on Jermall Charlo’s part. He has shown no inclination to entertain the idea of placing Charlo as a champion in recess or emeritus champion, a designation that would strip Charlo of his title while granting him an immediate opportunity to regain it upon his return to boxing.
Jermall Charlo’s inexplicable two-year hiatus from the ring represents an unprecedented violation of the regulations established by major sanctioning bodies. This transgression has been tolerated for far too long. If the WBO’s decision didn’t already underscore the WBC’s ineffectiveness, another incident solidified Charlo’s eligibility for stripping – his encounter with Caleb Plant (22-2, 13 KO’s) on July 27th.
A viral video captured Caleb Plant, the former super middleweight champion, striking Jermall Charlo, who failed to retaliate. This incident occurred during the weigh-in for the Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KO’s) and Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 KO’s) event held on July 29th. During the altercation, Caleb Plant slapped Jermall Charlo.
It’s not the events leading up to the slap that justify Charlo’s potential stripping, but rather his inability to react in the moment. Despite maintaining the title of WBC champion at 160 lbs, Jermall Charlo displayed an absence of response when Caleb Plant slapped him. As a champion in a combat sport, Charlo’s lack of reaction underscores the necessity for his title to be stripped, as he has demonstrated an incapability to either defend himself or stand up for his position.
The incident involving Caleb Plant showcases Jermall Charlo’s untenable position as a world champion. While modern boxing appears more business-driven than purely sports-oriented, Charlo still represents an industry inherently rooted in competitiveness. His lack of fighting spirit is unbecoming of a world champion, a title intended to distinguish him from other fighters in his weight class who lack championship status. Achieving this distinction is among the highest honors in a boxer’s career, second only to becoming a unified or undisputed champion.
As time passes, this incident may fade from memory, and the WBC may escape scrutiny for their decision to retain Charlo’s championship. However, the organization should exercise caution, as Charlo’s continued absence from the ring coupled with his involvement in embarrassing situations could eventually undermine the WBC’s credibility if he remains an inactive world champion mired in questionable circumstances.
