Boxing
Vergil Ortiz Jr. Eyes the title shot after Madrimov’s victory
He also claimed that future options are already planned for Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr.
“We are talking to Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence. All three have agreed to fight me.”
This is an ambitious statement from a fighter who has not competed since his defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023. Charlo turns 36 on May 19, and many fans believe the long break should mean tuning in or fighting a challenger first rather than immediately fighting for the champion. Charlo, however, made it clear that he still sees himself as the best man in the division.
The problem is that Jermell is essentially trying to cash his 2022 check in a completely different economy. PPV prices on PBC have increased to over $75, and asking fans to pay that for a guy who hasn’t won a fight since May 2022 is tough. This is a financial risk for promoters.
Jermell is used to unquestioned ‘money. If he’s asking for a huge guaranteed amount to fight Fundora or Ennis, the math just doesn’t work for the promoter unless the bid is above $150 or $200,000.
In boxing, three years is an eternity. Since Jermell stayed noiseless, we’ve seen the rise of Xander Zayas and the emergence of “Boots” Ennis at 154.
“I told you I was coming back. I told you I wanted my stripes,” Charlo said. “Nobody beat me by the belt.”
Promoters aren’t calling because Jermell’s confidence is currently low. If the promoter puts him in the main event and he looks like the version of himself that did or didn’t show up in the Canelo Alvarez match, the event is a disaster. Financially, it could still be a disaster.
Jermell wants the reward of a champion without the upgrade tax that every other veteran has to pay after a long layoff. With 2026 filled with newborn, hungry and busy talent, thinking that you can simply move to the front of the queue because of what you did four years ago is definitely a bold choice.
If Jermell had just gone for it and beaten some of the top 154 fighters like Israil Madrimov, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Brandon Adams, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.
Terence Crawford left boxing undefeated with little to prove, and yet Mauricio Sulaimán reignited an senior feud, describing the former champion’s retirement as “cowardly” in an interview this week.
“Fight in September for the world title. He has many options: Benavidez, Charlo, a rematch with Crawford, who cowardly retired, Bivol and Beterbiev. He is in a position where he can choose,” WBC president Sulaiman told Tiempo Extra.
This seems like a more personal than professional paperwork dispute. Sulaimán’s “cowardly” comment is clearly payback for the bridge Crawford burned on his way out.
When Crawford defeated Canelo in September 2025, he effectively retired as “King of the Hill” and then told the Neighborhood Association (WBC) that their membership dues were a scam.
During his Instagram Live tirade, Crawford refused to pay and devalued the entire existence of the WBC. Calling the eminent green belt a “trophy” that “doesn’t mean shit” is a direct attack on Sulaimán’s legacy and the prestige he strives to maintain for the WBC.
The WBC says it lowered its usual 3% commission to 0.6% ($300,000) to be “fair” and Crawford still hasn’t moved on it. By paying the other three organizations (WBA, IBF, WBO) but freezing the WBC, Crawford singled them out as the only organization he felt was not worth his money.
Crawford clearly stated that The Ring belt is a “real belt” because it is free. This is a nightmare for sanctioning bodies because it encourages other stars to realize that they don’t actually need pricey “alphabet” titles from sanctioning bodies to be considered the best.
Calling a 42-0 fighter who has just been promoted and trained by Canelo a “coward” is objectively absurd in a boxing sense. However, in Sulaimán’s language, “cowardly” likely refers to Crawford’s refusal to “stand and fight” in the boardroom.
By retiring, Crawford prevented the WBC from receiving the $300,000 he already owed them for the belt. Additionally, his retirement meant future billing for the massive Crawford vs. Benavidez or Crawford vs. Bivol.
It also prevented the WBC from formally stripping him as a punishment while he was still energetic.
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Last updated: 23/04/2026 at 12:28
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