Jermall Charlo returns to the ring this weekend after over two years out from injury and mental health struggles.
The 33-year-old WBC Middleweight Champion faces Jose Benavidez Jr in a ten-round comeback bout with his title not on the line, but plans to stay active if and when he wins.
Should he decide to move up to super-middleweight, there are plenty of options for fan-friendly match-ups. Of course Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez remains the division’s golden goose, but Charlo is also interested in the winner of Demetrius Andrade and David Benavidez – the main event to his bout on Saturday in Las Vega.
One man he’s surprisingly not too bothered about is Caleb Plant, who slapped him in public recently. Charlo told FightHype if they do fight he would end Plant’s career.
“I feel like I’ll fight one of Benavidez [or Andrade.] Benavidez beat Plant, so I think Andrade can beat Plant too. I’m not really worried about Plant. As much as the disrespect part I can always run up on him and get my lick back. Is still a win-win for me so regardless I ain’t tripping on none of that.
Let’s make it the right way, I go there, stop him, knock him out, he’ll never fight again. Like his career is done.”
Plant said he was disrespected by Charlo and had no choice but to act. The pair have traded words online since, and fans would like to see any further altercations take place inside the ropes.
The 31-year-old doesn’t have a fight scheduled and was last out in his loss to Benavidez back in March of this year. Still highly-ranked and with hopes of becoming a two-time champion, he’s expected to return in the first half of 2024.