Jermell Charlo has given a definitive response to those calling for his camp-mate, Errol Spence Jr, to retire following a first professional defeat to Terence Crawford.
Whilst the winner shoots to the top of the pound-for-pound best lists, Spence licks his wounds and has to evaluate what went wrong.
The fight was surprisingly one-sided, so much so that many in the sport have advised the former champ to consider hanging up the gloves over a rematch.
Charlo, who trains with Spence in Derrick James’ World Class Gym in Texas, told Fight Hub TV that there was no way his training partner would do so.
“Errol good. He living his life. He wanna move up in weight and get that rematch. He’s back hungry, he’s got some jet fuel under him now.”
“I don’t think he should retire – I’m not annoyed by it cause it’s not me, but I’m pretty sure those people that are saying it just really don’t know.
“He’s not gonna retire. He’s down for the fight – this is the fight game.”
Charlo believes it was more what Spence did wrong that what Crawford did right – a subjective view given his relationship with the former and bad blood with the latter.
“Errol had a bad night, you know what I’m saying? There was nothing that made me like ‘oh Crawford’s spectacular.’”
Spence is expected to request the contracted rematch at 154lbs, meaning both men will move up to the division in which Charlo is currently four-belt champion.
He’s the man Crawford has his eye on should he beat Spence for a second time.