The Remaking of Jermall Charlo
- Matthew Brown
- May 20
- 5 min read
05/21/2025
Stop me if you’ve heard this before.
Jermall Charlo is back… for real this time.
No seriously.
Jermall Charlo is back.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve been here before. In fact, that headline could’ve — and probably was — written in 2023, when Charlo emerged from a two-year layoff, declared himself mentally renewed, and promised a return to greatness. The then-undefeated WBC Middleweight Champion opened up about his absence, revealing he was battling mental health issues — a rare admission in a sport that prizes toughness above all else.
“I needed some time away from the sport. Back in my bag… I’m getting back. I’m better now. Know what I’m sayin’? Everybody goes through things, you know. I faced my little adversity and the best thing about it is that I get to beat that adversity and y’all get to see the adversity… Sometimes it took me to get away from boxing at the time. I’ve been doing it for 20, 30 years. I had to get away from it a little bit. It is what it is. You can fault me for not fighting, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
The words struck a chord. Charlo sounded vulnerable, reflective, human. But then… nothing. No fight materialized. No titles were defended. Instead, the next time fans heard from him, it was for all the wrong reasons.
In July 2023, backstage at Spence vs. Crawford, Jermall Charlo resurfaced — not with gloves, but in a viral video. A confrontation with Caleb Plant escalated when Plant slapped Charlo in the face. The alleged cause? According to Plant, Charlo verbally antagonized him and tugged on his beard repeatedly. Charlo, oddly passive in response, walked away rather than retaliate. The reaction shocked fans. Where was the fire? The brashness? The “Lions Only” bravado?
That wasn’t the Jermall Charlo boxing knew and loved. It was a moment that led many to wonder: What happened to him?
A few months later, in September, Charlo appeared in another surprising moment — this one touching. As his twin brother Jermell prepared to face Canelo Alvarez, cameras captured the two in a heartfelt embrace inside the locker room. Their relationship had become complicated in recent years, with Jermell publicly criticizing his brother, even accusing him of “tarnishing the brand.” That embrace marked the beginning of reconciliation. The Charlos were starting to stitch together a bond that had once seemed unbreakable.
In October 2023, Jermall Charlo officially announced his comeback — a catchweight bout above 160 against Jose Benavidez Jr. While Charlo missed weight, his performance in the ring was sharp. He showed flashes of the elite middleweight who once dominated the division, boxing with poise and power en route to a unanimous decision.
The result brought hope. Maybe he was back. Maybe the struggles were behind him.
Then May 6, 2024 happened.
In the early hours of the morning, Charlo was involved in a traffic incident that spiraled into criminal charges: DUI, evading a police officer, and leaving the scene of an accident. According to TMZ, he was driving a Lamborghini, argued with another driver after a crash, and fled the scene — only to be arrested at a red light a mile away. His blood alcohol content registered at .15, nearly double the legal limit.
The very next day, the WBC stripped Charlo of his middleweight title, elevating Carlos Adames from interim to full champion. It was a symbolic and actual fall from grace.
Still, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman extended a hand of support.
“The WBC has made the decision, but at the same time we have compassion and still care for [Charlo’s] well-being… Mental health is such a powerful issue in the world, now more than ever… When he returns to boxing, we will walk with him.”
But Charlo’s world was clearly shifting. Behind the scenes, his longtime trainer Ronnie Shields reportedly parted ways with him. According to sources, the split was due to Charlo’s “extracurricular activities” and lack of discipline.
The comeback trail had turned into a question mark.
Charlo was slated to fight on March 1, as part of the Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach Jr. undercard. But he pulled out, again raising doubts about his future.
And then — quietly, determinedly — he got back to work.
Now training under Hylon Williams Sr., with his twin brother Jermell once again by his side, Jermall Charlo is finally stepping through the ropes again. On May 31, he faces Thomas LaManna in a 10-round super middleweight co-main event on PBC on Prime Video.
This time, he says, it’s not just another comeback. It’s a rebirth.
“It’s been a journey and a long time coming. The sky’s the limit for me at this weight… I feel like this is the division I’m gonna end my career in.”
“You’re gonna see me go out and be more explosive than you’ve ever seen me before in my life.”
“I just miss boxing period. I miss getting up and just focusing on boxing and I’m back to doing that at the highest level.”
With middleweight in the rearview mirror, Charlo is now officially a 168-pounder. His sights are set on titles, legacies, and perhaps most intriguingly — revenge.
He hasn’t forgotten the slap.
“I’m going up to 168 to make a statement… I wanna get this fight out of the way and possibly get it on with Caleb Plant. I have big plans in the works, so keep it locked in. Lions Only.”
“I’m gonna go do my job. I got bigger fights and bigger fish to fry… I know he’s training for Jermall Charlo. I know how they come at me. I stand up to the challenge every time.”
It’s a subtle but significant shift in tone. Gone is the reckless arrogance. What remains is a focused man with something to prove. Not just to boxing — but to himself.
This isn’t just about redemption or a belt. It’s about resurrection. And maybe — just maybe — it’s real this time.
Love him or loathe him, boxing is better with Jermall Charlo in it. The middleweight division has lacked a certain electricity in his absence. He brought big fights, big talk, and big drama. The super middleweight division might be even better suited for his personality and physicality.
Jermall Charlo is back.
Hopefully, this time, he’ll stay a while.
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