Charlo poised for WBA title shot vs Baraou on return

Jermell Charlo is poised to return to action after nearly two years out of the ring and, in a move that has surprised fans, is reported to be in line for a world title shot on his comeback. The 35 year old former undisputed junior middleweight champion has signaled a return on social media and, according to industry developments, could be mandated to fight newly crowned WBA interim super welterweight champion Abass Baraou for the full WBA title once Terence Crawford is stripped of the belt ahead of his September 13 clash with Canelo Alvarez.

Charlo last fought on September 23, 2023, when he suffered a wide unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight. His most recent victory came in May 2022, when he stopped Brian Castano to complete an undisputed run at 154 pounds. Since 2020 Charlo has appeared in the ring only sporadically, drawing criticism from fans and analysts who have questioned his inactivity and the quality of his most recent performances. On social media Charlo posted a short message that read, "No friends in the industry. Fight date coming," alongside an image of a lion holding a shark, an image that has prompted speculation about potential opponents.