Photo gallery: Jermall Charlo trains for Jose Benavidez Jr.

Nov

Houston – Undefeated WBC middleweight titleholder Jermall Charlo discussed training camp at a Monday workout ahead of his showdown with Jose Benavidez Jr. on November 25. The 10-round non-title special event will serve as the Showtime PPV co-main to David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade in Las Vegas.

This will be Charlo’s first appearance in the ring since his victory over Juan Macias Montiel in June 2021, after which he took a mental-health hiatus.

“I’m excited to be back – back where I belong,” said Charlo. “I’m really re-learning boxing, like in the amateurs all over again. I feel new to it. It’s a thrill at the same time. I’m putting my life on the line once again, to shock the world and let people know that I’m on top.

“A lot of people consider mental health when [you] can’t stabilize your mind and think forward. And that’s kind of where I was at. I was in a place of not being able to explain it to anyone and kind of always shielded it and I had to fight through that through my learning experiences. The main thing I’ve learned this whole time is patience. I got ready on my own terms. I’m back in the ring on my own terms. I feel better at my own pace and I’m going to go in and face my battles on my own timing.

“I don’t have respect for [Benavidez]. I have respect for myself to go out there and dictate the fight, be patient. Of course, if I hit him flush, I’ll knock him cold out. Walking all over him, AI (Allen Iverson) s—. I’m going crazy. I’m just trying not to let the excitement overpower me.

“I actually want to be more active next year, take on two or three fights. I’m ready to stay in the gym and stay focused and hopefully I can land one of those big fights you want to see. Maybe the winner out of the main event or maybe Canelo, YouTubers coming up. You know, I really don’t care. I just want to fight.”

All photos are by Andrew Hemingway/Showtime.

Note: The above quotes are from a Showtime press release.