In a commanding return to the ring, undefeated WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo showcased his skills in a 10-round super middleweight clash against Jose Benavidez Jr. at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena. Charlo, 33, displayed ring prowess after a hiatus, securing a decisive win since his last bout in June 2021. Despite the controversy surrounding Charlo’s weight, a 3½-pound excess over the agreed 163-pound catchweight, he remained the favorite. The penalties paid by Charlo allowed the fight to proceed.

While Benavidez (28-3-1, 19 KOs) landed several punches, he lacked the power to trouble Charlo, known for his robust chin. Throughout the match, Charlo’s strategic jabs, powerful combinations, and defensive maneuvers highlighted his dominance. The fight witnessed Charlo’s ability to absorb punches, counter effectively, and control the pace. However, it appears that this performance failed to impress Jake Paul’s trainer, BJ Flores.

Jake Paul’s manager not impressed by Jermall Charlo

As the fight concluded with Jermall Charlo’s convincing victory, a lot of people were forced to change their opinion towards Charlo. Prior to the bout, many had thought that Charlo must have lost his touch after being out of the ring for so long. A fan shared his anticipation of a potential fight between Charlo and Caleb Plant. He stated, “Caleb Plant slapped tf outta Jermall Charlo back in September. I’m willing to put all my money up that Jermall will KO Plant if the fight happens next…let’s see if Plant really like that under the bright lights.”

However, it seems that his recent performance wasn’t impressive in the eyes of Jake Paul’s trainer, BJ Flores. He sarcastically remarked on the post, “’I will put up all my money’. Jermall can’t FUXX with no Caleb Plant.”

Charlo and Plant are not on good terms, especially after the latter slapped ‘Iron Man’ some time ago. This leads many to look forward to a potential bout between the two. Though nothing is sure as of now, there is a chance they may end up locking horns in the future.

Charlo’s mental health struggles kept him inactive for more than 2 years

Despite holding the WBC middleweight title, Charlo’s last match in June 2021 was marked by a back injury and mental health struggles. Nevertheless, he returned, securing a unanimous decision victory over Jose Benavidez Jr.

In a recent interview with Boxing News, Charlo candidly discussed the challenging period, revealing thoughts of never returning to the ring. He revealed, “I considered it at one time that I might never make it back in the ring. I had a lot of crazy thoughts, man. A lot of crazy thoughts… like a lot. It was relentless. It was so relentless that I got that word tattooed on me because that’s how disturbing it was for me at that moment. That’s exactly how it felt when I was going through that – it was so relentless.”

Read more: “Reminded Me of the Older Canelo”: Former World Champion Remains Brutally Honest on Canelo Alvarez’s Performance Against Jermell Charlo

Reflecting on this experience, Charlo likened it to waking from a nap feeling hungry after indulging in a family feast. The lack of appetite and challenges in self-care were pivotal factors that led to his extended hiatus. What are your thoughts about Charlo’s return to the ring? Do share what you think about his victory.

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