WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo has tarnished his reputation, and that of those supporting him, by missing weight ahead of his Saturday fight with Jose Benavidez Jr. This setback threatens to cancel Charlo’s comeback after an approximately two-and-a-half-year hiatus from the ring.
Having already faced scrutiny for retaining his title during an extended period of inactivity, Jermall Charlo continued to receive preferential treatment upon his return. The fight with Jose Benavidez Jr. was arranged at a catchweight of 163 lbs, and Charlo’s WBC middleweight title was excluded from the line. Notably, Charlo’s fight was also scheduled as the co-main event, underscoring the clear bias in his favor. However, his failure to meet the specified weight, on two separate attempts, raises questions about his professionalism.
Reports indicated that Charlo initially weighed in at 166.4 lbs, with a subsequent report revealing a weight of 166.6 lbs after a second attempt. Charlo’s bout with Jose Benavidez Jr. now appears to be set to continue as both teams seem to be negotiating financial terms off the back of this debacle to resume the fight as planned. Despite the compromises made for Charlo after years of inactivity, it appears his part in the co-main event has spurred all the involved parties to move forward with the bout.
While there is no conclusive evidence of Jermall Charlo dealing with mental health problems, his recent behavior during media appearances has raised concerns. His statement about starting training camp around two and a half weeks prior to the fight suggests either extreme negligence or potential mental deterioration.
The situation reflects a potential backlash against the PBC (Charlo’s promoter) and the WBC (whose title Charlo holds) for keeping him as a champion during an extended period of inactivity. Charlo’s display of irresponsibility with significant weight misses further complicates matters.
The role of trainer Ronnie Shields, Charlo’s coach since turning professional, is also under scrutiny. Regardless of Charlo’s alleged mental health issues, Shields’ failure to prepare his fighter for a professional bout casts doubt on his reputation as an elite boxing trainer.
As the situation develops, we will keep you updated on any new developments.
