A recent report by sportsamo.com indicates that Errol Spence Jr. remains unconvinced by Jermell Charlo’s recent public challenge, interpreting it less as a rekindling of rivalry and more as a calculated move driven by financial necessity. For Spence, "The Truth," the former undisputed welterweight kingpin, Charlo’s callout smacks of desperation, a last-ditch effort to secure a significant payday in a landscape where other lucrative opportunities have evaporated. This sentiment underscores a stark reality for Charlo, who has been largely absent from the sport’s upper echelons for nearly three years, a period that has seen his market value and negotiating leverage dramatically diminish.
Jermell Charlo, once the undisputed monarch of the super welterweight division (154 lbs), ascended to that coveted status through a series of impressive victories, culminating in his thrilling knockout of Brian Castano in their May 2022 rematch. This triumph solidified his place as a top-tier pound-for-pound fighter, holding all four major world titles. His reign, however, took an unexpected turn when he opted to leap two weight classes to challenge undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez in September 2023. The fight, a one-sided affair where Charlo was largely outclassed, resulted in a wide unanimous decision loss and marked the beginning of his extended hiatus. Since that high-profile defeat, Charlo has remained inactive, a period stretching to almost three years by early 2026, a lifetime in the fast-paced world of professional boxing.
The repercussions of this prolonged absence have been profound for Charlo. While he held the lineal and undisputed titles at 154 pounds, his inactivity meant he was stripped of his belts by various sanctioning bodies, paving the way for new champions and contenders to emerge. Fighters like Tim Tszyu, who was the WBO mandatory, and eventually Sebastian Fundora, seized the opportunities Charlo vacated. The narrative around Charlo shifted from an active, dominant force to a fighter whose future was increasingly uncertain. His market position, once bolstered by undisputed status and a reputation for explosive power, has eroded significantly, leaving him searching for a path back to relevance and, crucially, financial stability.
Spence, speaking candidly to FightHype, articulated his blunt assessment of Charlo’s motives: "Canelo is gone. Terence is gone. So who is he going to get a big payday from? That’s the only reason he’s calling me out." This statement cuts to the core of Charlo’s dilemma. Canelo Alvarez, a generational superstar, has moved on to other challenges and appears to have no interest in a rematch, especially with Charlo returning to a lower weight class. Terence Crawford, Spence’s own vanquisher and another pound-for-pound elite, also seems to be charting a different course, potentially eyeing new challenges at 154 or 160 pounds, or even a highly anticipated rematch with Spence under different circumstances. With these two mega-fight options seemingly off the table, the list of opponents capable of generating a truly massive gate and pay-per-view revenue for Charlo shrinks dramatically, leaving Spence as one of the last remaining legitimate draws from his era.
The idea of "unfinished business" between Spence and Charlo is also a narrative that Spence swiftly dismissed. Both fighters famously shared training camps under the tutelage of renowned coach Derrick James in Dallas for years. During their formative and prime years, they frequently sparred, honing their skills against each other behind closed doors. While the details of gym sparring are typically kept private, Spence’s nonchalant dismissal of any lingering rivalry suggests that he feels the outcome of those sessions already established a clear hierarchy within that inner circle. For Spence, there’s no mystery to uncover, no score to settle that hasn’t already been implicitly decided through countless rounds of intense, competitive sparring. This perspective adds a psychological layer to the potential matchup, implying that Spence views himself as the superior fighter based on their shared history.
Beyond the financial and personal dynamics, the timing of Charlo’s callout is particularly problematic for his career trajectory. The landscape of the super welterweight and welterweight divisions has undergone a significant transformation during his layoff. A new generation of hungry, undefeated talents has emerged, eager to claim their stake. Fighters like Jaron "Boots" Ennis, the reigning IBF welterweight champion, and Vergil Ortiz Jr., a formidable force at super welterweight, represent the future of these divisions. Both are young, powerful, and have built impressive unbeaten records, establishing themselves as legitimate threats. Critically, these rising stars do not need Charlo to validate their careers. They are on their own upward trajectories, commanding their own audiences, and are unlikely to wait for a fighter who has been largely dormant for three years. Their presence further diminishes Charlo’s leverage, as he can no longer dictate terms or demand top billing against opponents who are actively building their own legacies.
Spence himself has not been immune to inactivity, having last fought in July 2023 when he suffered a decisive ninth-round TKO loss to Terence Crawford in their highly anticipated undisputed welterweight title clash. That defeat marked the first professional loss for Spence and left questions about his future in the welterweight division. However, unlike Charlo, Spence’s inactivity followed a monumental undisputed championship fight, not a period of self-imposed exile. His path forward involves either a rematch with Crawford at 154 pounds or seeking other marquee matchups in a new division. For Spence, a fight with Charlo might represent a chance to re-establish dominance, regain momentum, and potentially silence critics who question his post-Crawford form.
From an outside perspective, Charlo’s move appears to be less about a genuine sporting challenge and more a pragmatic necessity. His options have narrowed considerably. With no world titles, a significant layoff, and a roster of younger, hungrier fighters moving past him, Charlo needs a high-profile opponent to reinsert himself into the conversation. A clash with Errol Spence Jr., despite Spence’s own recent loss, still carries considerable weight. Spence remains a legitimate pay-per-view draw and a recognized name in the sport, making him one of the few opponents who could command a substantial purse and widespread media attention for Charlo. It’s a calculated risk, a high-stakes gamble to revitalize a career that has stalled.
The promotional landscape also plays a role. Both Charlo and Spence have been long-time fixtures under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner, which has traditionally facilitated matchups between its stable of fighters. This existing relationship could make a fight between them easier to negotiate than one involving fighters from different promotional outfits. However, even within PBC, the appetite for a Charlo comeback fight against anyone other than a top-tier opponent might be limited given his recent record and inactivity. A fight with Spence, therefore, offers a built-in narrative and a guaranteed level of interest that few other opponents could provide.
Ultimately, the potential clash between Errol Spence Jr. and Jermell Charlo represents a fascinating study in boxing economics and career management. For Charlo, it’s a desperate gambit to recapture lost glory and secure financial stability before his window closes completely. For Spence, it’s an opportunity to re-establish his elite status after a career-defining loss, potentially against a familiar foe who he believes he already has the measure of. While Spence may view the callout as financially driven, the reality is that boxing, at its highest level, is as much a business as it is a sport. Whether this financial necessity can translate into a compelling fight that truly excites fans and reshapes legacies remains to be seen, but the motivations behind the challenge are now laid bare for all to analyze.
