“Go back to 147. I don’t have time for all this waiting and talking,” Charlo wrote on Twitter. X. “I literally can prove it since January 2024 I have been asking to fight anyone who claims to be the best at 154.”
The frustration didn’t happen overnight. After his reign at 154 stalled, the WBA placed Charlo as a break champion and placed him in a possible fight with the winner of Terence Crawford against Israil Madrimov. This route was never opened. The division continued to move, and Charlo was left without a confirmed date or opponent.
Charlo will be 36 years aged in May 2026. He hasn’t fought since his one-sided twelve-round loss to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023. That fight took place at super middleweight. His last victory came in May 2022. Since then, it has become harder to sell a profit based solely on results each month.
From a business perspective, the idea of a welterweight makes sense. At 154 years aged, Charlo had belts and leverage. He started talks with the authorities. At the age of 147, he will arrive without any of them. The fighters who are attracting attention in this division are younger, energetic and prepared for the most crucial fights.
If Riyadh Season wanted a familiar American name, Charlo could enter the discussion with Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney or Conor Benn. These are attacks that still justify vast wallets. Without Saudi Arabia’s support, the financial situation becomes much tighter.
The problems begin when the discussion turns to content.
Charlo hasn’t fought at welterweight since December 2009, when he faced Abdon Lozano early in his career. Making 147 now is not guaranteed. Years of working with heavier weights and a long break make cutting a real test.
There is also the matter of expectations. If Charlo is looking for a large payday immediately, it needs outside money. This likely requires Saudi interest. This is a arduous match for a player who, after a clear defeat, has not had a win since 2022 and has had nothing to focus on recently.
Charlo was hoping to fight Vergil Ortiz Jr. at 154 pounds. Nothing came of it. Now he talks about starting again with less weight, less control and in a shorter time.
The clock doesn’t ponderous down. At 147 years aged, Charlo would be entering someone else’s market. He’d ask for a seat that’s already taken, and he can’t afford to lose or look impoverished in the process.