Beginning Monday, August 25, the former undisputed junior middleweight titleholder Jermell Charlo has publicly mentioned five prominent 154-lb boxers as potential opponents for his return to the sport after a two-year absence.
Focusing on High-Caliber Competition
Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) has expressed a desire to face formidable opponents instead of easing back into competition. His most recent fight occurred on September 30, 2023, where he suffered a loss to Canelo Alvarez via a 12-round unanimous decision for the unified super middleweight championship.
To accompany his callouts, the 35-year-old Jermell released five AI-generated visuals depicting a lion consuming other animals, smoking a cigar labeled with “Bud,” and a worn-out boot. It’s apparent that Charlo is seeking a high-profile opponent for his comeback, which is logical, as a well-known opponent usually translates to a more substantial purse.
Potential Opponents for Charlo’s Return
- Sebastian Fundora
- Errol Spence
- Jaron Ennis
- Terence Crawford
- Vergil Ortiz Jr.
The 🦁 is on the prowl.@TwinCharlo recently posted these images to social media. What message do you think he’s trying to send? pic.twitter.com/8UVCjJ0450
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) August 28, 2025
Pursuing a Lucrative Fight
A fight against Terence Crawford would present a significant financial opportunity for Jermell if it could be arranged. Given Charlo’s extended period of inactivity, such a matchup might not generate as much attention as it would have before his two-year hiatus. If securing a fight with Crawford proves impossible, it’s likely that one of the other four prominent fighters would be willing to take him on.
Social media users are speculating about how much longer Charlo will continue to challenge various boxers. With his list of five potential opponents, it would seem he has sufficient options. Notably, Jermell has not mentioned the current champions at 154 lbs, namely Bakhram Murtazalev [IBF], Xander Zayas [WBO], and Abass Baraou [WBA interim]. These could be challenging opponents for Jermell to face after a two-year break from the ring.
Charlo’s last victory was three years ago when he defeated Brian Castano by a tenth-round knockout on May 14, 2022, in their rematch held in Carson, California.
