Jermell Charlo’s Win Opens String Of Options For Big Fights

The IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo stayed true to his word and did what he does best against Brian Castano this past Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

It was the rematch sequel of their controversial draw that took place back in July 2021. Both fighters’ hands were raised at the end of exhausting 12 rounds as the four-belt junior middleweight unification ended in a split draw on that occasion.

But this time, Charlo (35-1,19 KOs) made sure that the result doesn’t go into ringside judges’ hands as he smothered Castano during the whole bout before finishing him in the 10th to be crowned as undisputed champ at 154.

This win has surely opened a new gate of opponents for Charlo and down the road, the fans may be witnessing some great fights involving the dynamic Texan.

The first name that pops in all fans’ minds is the California-born Sebastian Fundora.

‘The Towering Inferno’ could prove to be the toughest opponent for Charlo if he stays at 154. Fundora (19-0, 13 KOs) has done everything needed in the meantime to secure the fight with the undisputed champ. The 24-year-old bludgeoned Erickson Lubin last month, making his case further strong.

Another fighter that has been making headlines in recent days is the Australian phenom, Tim Tszyu. The undefeated Aussie is ranked first at 154 by the WBO.

Unlike Fundora, Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) has been vocal and has tried to get under the skin of Charlo – in the recent post-fight conference, Charlo got offended when asked if he would fight Tszyu and erupted at the reporter, uttering some harsh words for both.

And among all these tough names, an easy bail-out fight Charlo can choose post-unification is with the ‘Beefy’, Liam Smith. Smith delivered a punishing loss to Jessie Vargas a few weeks back in New York City on the Taylor-Serrano show at Madison Square Garden.

Smith came up with goods against Vargas with his career on the line.

After a smashing body-shot loss to Canelo Alvarez and subsequent defeats against Jaime Munguia and Magomed Kurbanov, the Brit needed a boost, and fortunately, that came in the form of Vargas.

Smith industriously worked on the body of Vargas, eventually snatching the air from Vargas’ lungs in the latter part of the fight. The Liverpool-native can prove to be a tricky opponent for Charlo if the minor details are ignored.

Smith is ranked fifth or better by the WBA, WBO, and WBC and the prospect of Charlo fighting him surely raises the eyebrows of all the boxing fans.

In a different weight class, WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford said after he captures unified champion Errol Spence Jr.’s three belts, he coming after Charlo – even if he has to go down in weight to get him.