Charlo Wants Fundora Next

Jermell Charlo has called out WBC Junior Middleweight Champion Sebastian Fundora. 

Charlo, who has remained sidelined since his move to 168 lbs to face Canelo Alvarez in 2023, was a prominent ringside figure at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Following Fundora’s sixth-round demolition of Keith Thurman, Charlo wasted no time asserting his claim to the WBC title—a belt he lost via "recess" status rather than in the ring.

As Fundora’s team celebrated the third successful defense of the WBC strap, Charlo engaged in a heated verbal exchange with the champion’s camp. Charlo remains adamant that he is the "rightful" champion. Addressing the "Towering Inferno" directly, Charlo didn’t mince words about a potential clash: “I’ll fight Fundora and knock him out. That’s my belt. Nobody took my title. I lost my title because I fought Canelo. Get the money, dummy.”

Will It Happen?

The friction stems from the WBC’s decision to designate Charlo as "Champion in Recess" in late 2023. When Charlo jumped two weight classes for the undisputed 168-lb title, the WBC allowed him to keep his "Champion" status but elevated the interim title (then held by Brian Mendoza) to "Full" status to keep the division moving.

Under WBC rules, a champion in recess typically has the right to challenge for the title immediately upon their return. Charlo’s long-term absence remains the primary hurdle, as fans wait to see what happens next.

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