Jermall Charlo, the undefeated WBC middleweight champion, has refuted rumors of a fight against super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez set for May 4. From Turks and Caicos, where he is currently on vacation, Charlo addressed the speculation directly through a social media video, emphasizing his current disengagement from professional discussions.
Charlo clarified, "I haven’t even talked to Al Haymon since I last fought," dispelling the notion of an imminent showdown with Alvarez. Despite Alvarez confirming a fight date of May 4 in Las Vegas in a recent interview, he did not specify his opponent, leading to widespread speculation. Charlo insisted on the absence of any official agreement, stating, “Until it’s official, it’s official. I offered. I said I would do whatever I gotta do,” underscoring his openness to the fight but confirming that nothing is confirmed as yet.
The clarification comes amidst Charlo's return to the ring after a 29-month hiatus, securing a decision win over Jose Benavidez Jr. last November in Las Vegas. While still holding the WBC middleweight title, Charlo has not competed in the middleweight division since June 2021, raising questions about his next career move.
Watch Charlo vs. Benavidez Jr. highlights: Watch
With Alvarez explicitly ruling out a Mexican opponent, thereby excluding Jaime Munguia from immediate contention, the boxing community is left waiting for an official announcement regarding Alvarez’s next opponent. Charlo’s statement has momentarily cooled the anticipation of a match-up with Alvarez, highlighting the complex nature of boxing negotiations and the need for official announcements in determining the sport's high-profile bouts.
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