LAS VEGAS — The WBC middleweight championship holder, Charlo, was criticized by Jose Benavidez Jr. a 31-year old boxer from California, U.S, for accepting a catchweight battle at 163 pounds instead of putting his WBC middleweight title on the line.
On November 25, the fight between Jose Benavidez Jr. (28-2-1, 19KOs) and Jermall Charlo(32-0, 22KOs) will serve as the co-main event of the David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade pay-per-view card. It will take place at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
“It’s at 163 because this guy had to make up excuses that he couldn’t make the weight. He was going through some hard times, I guess, so he can’t make the weight. So, we have to [fight at a catchweight]. So, you ask him about that. The boy’s not disciplined,” said Benavidez in media reports.
“I’ve actually fought at 160 a few times before, and I actually walk around at 180, 190. 147 was hard to make. I felt drained,” he added.
“You’ve been training for a while. Why don’t you want to fight at 163 then? There’s no discipline, is there? You’re scared,” he continued.
This bout mainly revolves around Charlo’s prolonged absence from competition because of his actions outside of the ring. Including getting slapped by Caleb Plant, and his inability to participate in prizefights, which have raised questions about his status in the sport. While Benavidez has only won once in the five years since losing to Terence Crawford in 2018, he has been struggling recently.
If David Benavidez defeats Andrade, Charlo, 33, from Louisiana, U.S, suggested that he might be done fighting at middleweight and might go up to the 168-pound class in his next bout.
“It’s got nothing to do with weight or nothing like that,” said Charlo in media reports.
“Man, I’m a professional. You know, coming back, I’m about to fight this little steppingstone right here. And then whenever I finish stepping on this stone, then I guess we can put the title on the line or whatever. If not, I’mma go up to ’68. You know what I’m saying? I ain’t worried about the trophies. I’m still the champ. You know what I’m saying? No matter what,” he added.
