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ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Jermell Charlo during his bout against Tony Harrison for the WBC World Super Welterweight Championship at Toyota Arena on December 21, 2019 in Ontario, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

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ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Jermell Charlo during his bout against Tony Harrison for the WBC World Super Welterweight Championship at Toyota Arena on December 21, 2019 in Ontario, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Bustling with anticipation, the crowd at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas sat through a grueling 12-rounds. Two undisputed fighters entered the ring in order to prove their mettle in the boxing realm. However, moments before the fight, one of them lost their undisputed status. The Jermell Charlo and Canelo Alvarez fight sent tremors down the realm. Rarely does it happen that two undisputed kings in their own weight class clash with each other. But these tremors were momentary.
Just moments ahead of Charlo walking toward the coveted Las Vegas ring, he no more was the undisputed WBO champion in the super-welterweight class. But this development was not a shock to the world. The WBO in all its spirit for this novelty of a matchup had agreed to let Charlo retain his titles. But only until he entered the ring against the Mexican fighter.
However, the moment the gong would go off, his title would go to Tim Tszyu. This made the latter the all-title holder in the weight class. Tonight when Charlo brought his crusade against the super-middleweight champion, Canelo, he did not just lose one battle but also lost everything that he had built earlier.
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A choice made by Jermell Charlo, or the WBO not being just?
‘Iron Man’ being stripped of his undisputed status was a controversial stand the WBO took. But when looked deeper, the governing body has its own share of reasons with which it can justify this decision. The rationale it provides behind such a move is that when an Aussie fighter, Tim Tszyu was the mandated fight for Charlo, he chose to go up the weights to fight Canelo. Now, having omitted his mandatory defense, the fighter, of course, would be stripped of the titles he held.
The response from the boxing realm does not favor this rationale. For, even his opponent stood in the position that Charlo stands in today. Canelo was allowed to freeze his title at Super Middleweight. This came when he announced his fight against Dmitry Bivol. He registered the second loss of his career against the Russian fighter. However, Canelo came comfortably to his titles and began defending it once again. If the bodies could allow Canelo to do this, why not Charlo? A question that echoes through the boxing world today.
A user projected their disappointment at the decision. Holding the opinion that Tszyu was not as adept as Charlo to hold such titles, the user called for some stringent regulation on how governing bodies handle such weight changes.
That's bogus as hell!!! No way his mandatory is a better boxer than Canelo these governing body should have standards. He shouldn't be allowed to fight a lesser fight and if he fights more than two high value fights that's when they should use the super champ title IMO.
— Trader's Tech (@traderstech) October 1, 2023
Another user questioned the stance taken by the WBO. The user asked if Canelo was allowed to omit his mandatory fight against David Benavidez, then why not Charlo?
Why wasn't canelo stripped when he didn't fight his mandatory..
— MD Endy (@IGBOKWENNAMDIA1) October 1, 2023
Imagine not retaining a feat that you so vehemently fought for. That too, right before an effort that could either make or break your career. That’s where Charlo stood tonight.
Stripping 5 minutes before the fight is crazy
— T (@Errorworth) October 1, 2023
Another user also sought some regulation with how the governing bodies allowed for weight class upgrades. The user suggested allowing fighters to go up the weights gradually.
Stop “upgrading” champions. Make the 1 and 2 fight for it…
— Afrodesiak (@Afrodesiak) October 1, 2023
However, a user encapsulated the night that was for Charlo. They pointed at the devastation this fight against Canelo has caused him. He lost to the Mexican fighter in a scathing unanimous decision. Further, he does not even retain his undisputed titles in the super-welterweight class. A trodden trajectory lies ahead of the fighter now.
No longer undisputed after tonight. Wow
— Alex (@GreatRajsel) October 1, 2023
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Tonight was not easy for Jermell Charlo. He sustained until the end of the night. But in the end, he lost to Canelo Alvarez. The fight heavily dominated by the latter took its predicted course. Where does he go from here? How does he build back everything that was dismantled tonight? With time, these questions will find their answers.
Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts on the WBO’s decision in the comments section below.
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Watch This Story: Heated Moments From Cancelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlos Press Conference
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