As we get into the summer and know WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) isn’t fighting Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, some interesting options can arise. Although he has mentioned a return to the ring soon, no official announcement on the next opponent for Charlo has been announced as of yet. Charlo has options at both middleweight and super middleweight, the likely option is that he returns this year to defend his title at 160 lbs. The question is, against who? Here are three potential opponents that can end up facing “The Future of Boxing” for his WBC title in 2023.
Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs)
This seems to be the option that has had the most traction recently on social media. Only two weeks ago, Charlo and Andrade went on Instagram Live to discuss a potential fight between the two pugilists. During the friendly conversation, things like the weight of the fight being at 165 lbs. were discussed and verbally agreed to, along with the date being in September. The discussion of the venue seemed to have a difference in opinions, but all things that can get worked out if the money is right.
The thought of this fight had a big buzz a few years ago but was never made. Although S.I. journalists Chris Mannix was lobbying hard for this fight, it never materialized, but now that the two fighters have publicly discussed it, they may meet before the year's end. It’s not an ideal fight coming off a two-year layoff for Charlo, but it would be the most profitable of his potential three options.
Carlos ‘Bronco’ Adames (23-1, 18 KOs)
Con quien te gustaria verme unificar?
— Carlos Adames (@BroncoAdames) July 7, 2023
‘Bronco’ Adames is the current interim WBC middleweight champion and should be allowed to fight Charlo. A few weeks ago, Adames beat up a tough Julian Williams to earn a ninth-round stoppage in Minneapolis, MN. Adames has paid his dues and should get the Charlo fight, but that may be too difficult of a fight for him to take after a long layoff. If that were to happen, Adames might have to wait until 2024 or after Charlo faces Canelo Alvarez next May. Stylistically, Charlo vs. Adames would be a war of attrition and make for a very entertaining fight. Will the 29-year-old finally get his shot at Charlo, which he’s been wanting for a while now?
Sergio Martinez (57-3-2, 32 KOs)
Ko con Maravilla Martinez https://t.co/cxGpHzK7LX
— Sergio Martínez (@maravillabox) June 27, 2023
I know; why are we bringing up Martinez in 2023? This isn’t 2012 or 2013 when he successfully defended his WBC middleweight crown. Quietly, the 48-year-old former champion has been racking up wins and is actually ranked #3 by the WBA. I know that Charlo is the WBC champion, but here is an opportunity for Charlo to face a top-ranked contender who is a former champion but won’t make him chase too much as Martinez’s legs are way passed their prime. This is an interesting fight as Charlo would get the rub of beating a top-ranked former world champion, and Martinez has the potential of winning a world title at the age of 48. That story writes itself and would not be hard to promote. Could we see Martinez in a title fight this year? Not likely, but the idea of it makes for an interesting conversation.
