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BOXING

Jermall Charlo to join Gervonta Davis Lamont Roach undercard

While an opponent has not yet been announced, the former two-division world champion is back in training for a December 14 appearance.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 25: Jermall Charlo (L) fights Jose Benavidez Jr. during their middleweight bout at Michelob ULTRA Arena on November 25, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Charlo won by unanimous decision.   David Becker/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by David Becker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
DAVID BECKERAFP

Jermall Charlo is gearing up for his next fight, set to take place on December 14, joining the undercard of the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. event. The card will be broadcast live on PBC’s Prime PPV from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, Charlo’s hometown. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the former two-division world champion in the ring. Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) recently posted a video of himself training, showing off his sharpness and conditioning. Though his opponent is still unknown, the buildup is stirring curiosity as fans wonder what Charlo has left in the tank.

At 34 years old, Charlo is trying to remind the world of his talents after a period of inactivity and lackluster opposition. His last major victory came in 2016 when he beat Julian “J-Rock” Williams. Since then, he hasn’t faced many top-tier opponents. His fight against Sergiy Derevyanchenko in 2020 was solid, but it wasn’t enough to keep his momentum going. For many fans, it’s been frustrating to see someone with Charlo’s talent not take on bigger challenges. But in this sport, long layoffs and missed opportunities can easily cause a fighter to lose relevance.

Now, he has a chance to rebuild some of that lost ground. Rumors suggest this could even be a warm-up for a potential showdown with Canelo Alvarez next year, though that idea is already dividing opinions. If Jermall manages to win decisively on December 14, it could put him in line for a shot at Canelo’s super middleweight titles in May 2025. But let’s be honest - fans aren’t too thrilled about that possibility. Charlo’s inactivity and the caliber of his recent opposition don’t make him an ideal contender for Canelo, and boxing fans know that. They want to see Canelo face fighters who are active, in their prime, and consistently challenging top-tier opponents, not someone who has been on the sidelines for so long.

The question remains: will Charlo get a tough opponent on December 14, or will this just be another tune-up fight? Based on his performance against Jose Benavidez Jr. last year, where he scored a unanimous decision after ten rounds, it seems unlikely that he’ll face anyone too dangerous this time around. He’s been out of the ring too long to risk a major challenge. Premier Boxing Champions probably won’t match him up with a serious contender like Diego Pacheco or Christian Mbilli - Charlo’s last performance didn’t suggest he’s ready for that level of competition yet.

This event is also clearly aimed at boosting pay-per-view buys. Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. will be headlining, but there’s a sense that it might not generate enough buzz on its own, especially at the typical $74.95 price point. Adding Charlo to the mix helps to grab more attention, especially since he’s fighting in Houston, where he still has a solid fan base. Whether that translates into a memorable fight or just a filler bout remains to be seen.

For now, all eyes are on Charlo’s preparation. He’s stepping back into the spotlight with a lot to prove, not just to the fans but to himself. Whether he can deliver a performance worthy of future big-name fights is the real question. Fans will find out on December 14.

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