Jermell Charlo Reveals WBA Redemption Plans Affecting Terence Crawford

Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) has now announced his plans for the future, which seemed unclear following his one-sided unanimous decision defeat against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. According to Dan Rafael via his Fight Freaks Unite Substack, lineal junior middleweight champion Charlo is planning to return to the super welterweight division to take on current WBA champion Israil Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs). 

Jermell Charlo Targets WBA Super Welterweight Glory

Jermell Charlo Reveals Future Plans

Charlo’s plan to return to the division are seemingly a blow to the hopes of unified welterweight champion Terence Crawford, who has not fought since the brutal beatdown he inflicted on Errol Spence Jr. Following that win, “Bud” became the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era. The rematch with Spence has not materialised in the required time frame, making Crawford a free agent.

Rafael further reveals in his substack that the Omaha native has been in talks with Turki Alalshikh and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn about moving up in weight and taking on Israil Madrimov in August in the United States, according to his sources. 

These plans for Crawford have seemingly been scuppered, with Tom Brown of TGB Promotions, who promotes all of the Premier Boxing Champions cards, sending a letter to the WBA on Charlo’s behalf to advise them that the Louisana native plans to return to the division and invoke his right as “champion in recess” to be the next opponent for Madrimov.

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Contents of Letter to WBA

“On behalf of former undisputed Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo, we are pleased to inform you that he hereby requests to be reinstated as the WBA Super Champion at 154 pounds,” Brown wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Fight Freaks Unite. “Jermell is prepared and ready to defend his WBA title against WBA champion Israil Madrimov. Thank you for your attention and consideration.”

Following the declaration from Charlo, Rafael further reveals that WBA president Gilberto Mendoza Jr. told Fight Freaks Unite that the organisation will order Madrimov to fight Charlo next. It remains to be seen what move Crawford will make next.