Long dormant, Jermell Charlo came out of the woodwork this week, posting a short video workout clip and telling his followers on Instagram that “154 is mine until I’m finished.”
If Charlo thinks he’s ageless because he’s been trapped in amber for 66 million years like dinosaur DNA, he’s crazy. He’s aged like anyone in their mid-30s. Jermell is a relic from a bygone era and doesn’t belong in this era of killers.
Inside Charlo’s Message
Based on Charlo’s message, it appears he’s hinting that he wants a straight title shot against one of the champions at 154, likely against WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora. The World Boxing Council made Jermell ‘Champion in Recess’ in 2024, meaning he can come back and fight for their belt whenever he wants.
Jermell does NOT deserve a world title shot. If he wants a crack at one of the champs, he should have to walk through fire to get it by fighting one of the top contenders, like Serhii Bohachuk or Israil Madrimov. Those two would be a nightmare for an inactive 35-year-old Charlo, who is peeling himself off the sofa to return after years of inactivity.
The payday would be nice for Charlo to fight The Towering Inferno Fundora, but it wouldn’t likely be competitive. Charlo is too old and was always a deeply flawed fighter.
Jermell will turn 35 on May 19th, and he’s been so inactive since 2021 that it’s impossible to take him seriously as a viable option for any of the top 154-pounders in the division. He’s too old, too inactive, and too unpredictable to trust him making it through training camp without pulling up lame with some injury or whatever that keeps him making it to the fight.
“154 King” Claim
At the end of Charlo’s Instagram post, it says, “154 King is back.” That’s hard to take seriously due to his inactivity. Even when Jermell was still active, he never beat any high-level fighters besides a young 22-year-old Erickson Lubin. That’s the ONLY notable win on Jermell’s 18-year professional resume.
Jermell’s Best Career Wins:
– Brian Castano
– Erickson Lubin
– Tony Harrison
– Jeison Rosario
– Austin Trout
– Joachim Alcine
– Gabe Rosado
Half of those guys are retired now, and the other half are fossils, just like Jermell is from the dinosaur age. You can’t make a big deal about Jermell being a former undisputed 154-pound champion because he captured that championship by beating the 5’6″ Brian Castano, a short slugger, who was never a great fighter.
That guy wouldn’t even be a fringe contender in this era of the sport, and Jermell arguably lost to him in their first fight on July 17, 2021, in a match that was scored a controversial 12-round draw in San Antonio, Texas. For those who don’t know, Jermell is from Texas.
The former undisputed junior middleweight champion Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) hasn’t fought since losing to unified 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez by a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision on September 30, 2023. Some boxing fans believe the mega-millions that Jermell got in that fight took away his ambition to return to the ring.
When a fighter suddenly receives a huge windfall of dough, it’s hard to get motivated to return to work. It’s easier to just kick it, enjoying the money, sitting in their mansions, or buying junk to show off their wealth.
“This Life Ain’t For Everybody.. U Know What I’m Here For.. 154 Mines Until I’m Finish 🦁” said Jermell Charlo on Instagram.
Last Updated on 03/25/2025
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