Over the last five years, consistent withdrawals, failed negotiations, and repeated false dawns have quietly derailed what once looked like two of boxing’s most secure careers.
At one stage, both were seen as long-term anchors of the Premier Boxing Champions era. Now, neither is part of the immediate conversation in their own divisions.
Jermell Charlo reached his peak on May 14, 2022, when he knocked out Brian Castaño in the tenth round to become the first undisputed super welterweight champion of the four-belt era.
By securing the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO titles, Charlo didn’t just unify the division — he briefly stood at the top of one of boxing’s deepest weight classes.
His twin brother Jermall, meanwhile, remains undefeated at 34-0, 23 KOs, a record that once positioned him as a long-term fixture at the top of the middleweight division.
Yet for all that achievement, both careers have slowed to the point where inactivity now defines the conversation more than success.
Every mention of the Charlos still carries weight, reflecting the level they once reached. But momentum hasn’t just stalled — it has disappeared at the worst possible time.
Outside The Ring
Jermall Charlo’s situation has been particularly concerning. As World Boxing News reported, a planned return in early 2025 collapsed after scheduled opponent Thomas LaManna revealed Charlo was in a “dark place” and unable to proceed.
Charlo has fought only twice in over four years. During that period, he admitted struggles to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, with the sanctioning body attempting to support him before eventually recognizing Carlos Adames as full champion.
The longer the absence continued, the more the division adjusted without him.
Jermell Charlo’s momentum was also interrupted outside the ring. In December 2023, he was arrested in Texas and charged with misdemeanor assault before being released days later.
Around the same period, Charlo withdrew from a planned defense against Tim Tszyu, only to later accept a high-profile jump to face Canelo Alvarez.
The move brought attention, but it also showed how far removed he was from the sharpness required at the elite level.
Missed Windows
The pattern for both fighters is clear. Opportunities appeared, but negotiations faltered or timelines slipped.
Jermell’s decision to step away from defending his undisputed crown removed him from the center of the 154-pound division just as it was evolving.
A fight with Tszyu fell apart before he moved up to face Canelo, ultimately costing him position in the weight class he once ruled.
Jermall, meanwhile, saw the middleweight division move on without him. Extended absences and uncertainty over his status allowed others to take the opportunities that once seemed reserved for him.
At this level, that isn’t bad luck — it’s the difference.
An Uncertain Return
There is still time. Neither fighter is beyond a comeback at middleweight and super middleweight, respectively, and their names alone ensure relevance the moment they step back into meaningful fights.
But the trajectory has changed, with another setback for Jermall after a WBA title shot on May 2 was pulled. Jaime Munguia will now face Armando Resendiz instead.
What once looked like two careers moving in parallel toward long-term dominance has instead become a series of interruptions, difficult decisions, and missed moments.
Boxing moves quickly. The Charlos didn’t — and that may prove to be the difference.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
