Jermall Charlo has finally found a fight he can’t punch his way out of.
The WBC middleweight champion returns to the ring for the first time in over two years in the highly anticipated David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade card co-main event Saturday night (9 p.m. ET, PPV Showtime) at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas .
Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) last fought and successfully defended his title against Juan Macias Montiel on June 19, 2021.
He ends his hiatus with a fight against Benavidez’s younger brother Jose Jr. (28-2-1), but the title is not on the line. The 10-round bout will take place at a catchweight of 163 pounds instead of a 160-pound middleweight. It probably bodes well for a move up to 168-pound super middleweight.
But during those 30 months without a fight, Charlo encountered perhaps his most formidable opponent yet: himself.
Charlo, 33, faced mental health issues as well as alcohol and drug abuse issues.
“The depression, the merging with yourself, the sudden change from hot to cold is shocking to you,” Charlo confessed to the Post. “Responding to all types of incidents, [being] Being bipolar and thinking being alone and shutting out the world will help. But you need to talk to someone to help you get through what you’re going through.
“It feels like everyone is against you. I don’t care if you’re in an Uber, in a taxi, wherever you are. Everyone’s just against you. Why did I feel this way? [I don’t know]. I couldn’t say that some people didn’t disagree with me. But that’s how you feel at the moment, and I just turned my back on most of the world. I had to get help and it made me feel a lot better. ”
He believes he can return to boxing in better shape.
“I have a lot more patience now,” Charlo said. “I’ve started reaching out and helping more than ever before. I’m feeling a lot better. Let me be clear, I’ve never been involved in things like drinking, alcohol abuse, drugs, or just being obnoxious. I’m not trying to adjust. …You have to learn patience. One of the big things I learned from this two year break is patience and just being grateful. I’m back. Mentally I’ve learned how to take better care of my body, both physically and mentally. I feel like I’m back. My mind is in line with my physical ability and I’m rather in my prime. .
“When your back is against the wall, when the burn starts to burn, or when you are on your knees, you look up to the people who are sure to help you get back up no matter what. Every point. Having a great team around you is the best support.”
However, Charlo realizes that one of the most important members of its support team, his twin brother Jermell, is missing.
The two have dominated boxing for years as champions and are perhaps the best family duo in the sport.
Jermell (35-2-1) was previously the undisputed junior middleweight champion, but moved up two weight classes in October to take on the legendary Canelo Alvarez in a mega-bout for the undisputed super middleweight title. When he lost, he was stripped of his WBO belt. By unanimous decision.
Ahead of the match, Jermell revealed that he and Jermall had grown apart in recent years and disagreed about the direction they wanted their lives to take. It’s a moment or a mood where you want to deal with the havoc he brings.” “We’ve had a lot of hiccups on his side and I feel like it tarnished our character and our name a little bit.” ”
They are still in the process of repairing their relationship.
“We’re twin brothers, but Jermell is Jermell. He has his own way of thinking,” Charlo said. “He’s his own person and I’m my own person. We have two different mindsets. Other than not being there for me, he’s never caused me any real harm. There wasn’t. And that’s the kind of thing you have to endure and fight through. He might not have noticed it because my patience got better, and I’ve made a lot of changes.
“Good. We talk, I can call him. 1700571062. Normally, I wouldn’t even be able to call him, he wouldn’t answer, and we wouldn’t even talk to him. ”
Charlo, who feels mentally better than ever, believes he still needs to write the next chapter.
“I’m sure my name still rings out even after two years.” [later] To come out of retirement,” Charlo said. “Patience, dude. There’s no anxiety. It’s all about patience. I just go with the flow.”
