Jermall Charlo wanted to make it clear that he’s not looking past his next opponent.
However, he couldn’t suppress his desire to immediately return to the sport’s highest stage.
For now, the former two-division titlist is locked in for his May 31 showdown with Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna. Their bout comes in supporting capacity to the Caleb Plant-Armando Resendiz interim WBA super middleweight title fight.
“I’m gonna do my job. I have bigger fights, bigger fish to fry,” Charlo told the assembled media during Wednesday’s promotional press conference at The Mayan in Los Angeles, California. “I’m not overlooking LaManna. He’s training for Jermall Charlo. I’ve been at the level for a while. I know how they come at me.”
Both fights will air as part of a PBC on Prime Video quadruple-header from Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The show is designed to set up a Plant-Charlo grudge match later this year, assuming that both emerge victorious later this month.
Houston’s Charlo, 33-0 (22 KOs), is primarily focused on just getting reacclimated to the ring.
The bout with South Jersey’s LaManna, 39-5-1 (18 KOs), will be his first in 18 months. That occasion saw Charlo outpoint Jose Benavidez Jr. at this very venue, which ended a 29-month ring absence due to injury and personal issues.
All told, he has fought just twice since June 2021, when he was still the WBC middleweight titlist.
“I don’t like to keep saying I’m back but you get the concept,” noted Charlo. “I’m going to 168 to make a statement. I’m focused and locked in. I want to get this fight out the way and get it on with Caleb Plant if that’s possible. I got some big things in the works, so y’all tune in.
While both Plant and Charlo are heavy favorites to win their respective bouts, neither has spoken much on what the future holds.
Charlo is listed as high as -1400 in some sportsbooks to defeat LaManna, who has won nine straight but steps way up in competition and in weight for this occasion. Plant is a -2000 favorite to beat Resendiz.
A more active Charlo would have likely created a wider gap in the odds. However, that same scenario would’ve led to a straightaway clash with Plant.
With that, he will use May 31 as the chance to reintroduce himself as he targets a third divisional title run.
“I haven’t fought at super middleweight yet,” said Charlo, though he technically fought in the division in his abovementioned win over Benavidez. “The sky’s the limit. I’m used to getting up and making weight. This could make me better or worse, you never know. I’m just staying focused, not letting anything bother me anymore.
“160 wasn’t that bad. 154 we did what we had to do there, too. 168, I feel like this is my weight division. I’m going to be more explosive than you’ve ever seen in my life.”
