Jermall Charlo finally calls off his sabbatical and returns to the squared circle after a two-year hiatus on November 25. The enforcer of the 160-pound has had a rough couple of years where he detached himself from boxing. While he has decided to make a comeback, some lingering questions persist. Is he the same boxer who once reigned supreme in the middleweight division with an iron fist? Or is he a mere shadow of his former self?

The American boxer faces Jose Benavidez Jr. as a litmus test in his awaited return bout. While the charm of the fighting never dies, the hard part is doing it again after being sidelined for a prolonged period. The anxious jitters, the self-doubt, and the onlookers’ judgment are the biggest hurdles, and the ‘Hitman’ is not immune to the same. Is the 33-year-old, famed for dropping opponents on the mat, overwhelmed by the entire scenario?

Jermall Charlo: A little too anxious, a little too nervous

The former WBC champion laid bare his emotions as the showdown inches closer. In a conversation with Fight Hub TV, he delved deep into self-reflection and admitted, “I’m a little anxious, a little nervous. I’m questioning myself too. Coming off a long layoff, how would I perform?”

It’s all but natural for a fighter to try to shake off the rust of inactivity. While Charlo is concerned about his performance, he exudes confidence when discussing the fight’s outcome. Off-ring shenanigans and aggressive trash-talking are not his game.

“I don’t have no respect for him. I have respect for myself to go out there and dictate the fight. Be patient. Of course, if I hit him flush, I’m knocking him cold out,” Charlo declared vehemently. However, animosity won’t bag him a win in the ring.

Ring rust and the curious case of Jermall Charlo’s untested rhythm

Your punches come down slowly; you are not quick on those feet, and your reaction time takes a hit. These are all repercussions of ring rust, which might affect Charlo. Besides, in the last fight with Juan Macias Montiel, Charlo suffered blunt punches in the later rounds as he appeared to run on an empty gas tank.

At 33, Charlo is not getting younger, and soon, age will catch up. Are these indications that Charlo’s undefeated streak is in danger? While his peak might be past him, Charlo is still the man to beat in the middleweight division. His piercing punches and the power he packed behind those punches made him a feared man. A lengthy layoff or not, he is the one who will dictate the pace of the fight.

Read More: “You Only Seen One Side of That Story”: Following Jose Benavidez’s Confrontation, Jermall Charlo Opens Up About Why He Did Not Press Charges Against Caleb Plant

“I’m going to go in there and dictate, dominate, and run him into some traps. I know he gets wild at a point, so treat him like a bull,” Charlo revealed his game plan to YSM Sports Media. Who holds the upper hand? A returning champion after spending two years lying dormant, or a boxer who has never been the same after a career-threatening injury?

Who is ending the year with a win? Jermall Charlo or Jose Benavidez Jr.?

Jose Benavidez Jr. hasn’t been the same boxer he was when he got shot in the leg in August 2016. Since then, except for Terence Crawford in 2018, he hasn’t faced a quality opponent. Moreover, he is 1-2-1 in his last four fights. There is nothing that screams danger for Charlo.

Unless Benavidez Jr. comes into the ring with all guns blazing, the win is Charlo’s for the taking. Despite the apprehensions over Charlo’s waning skills, it’s hard to imagine his prowess dipping to a low that makes him vulnerable enough to drop his undefeated record. A win not only gives Charlo the needed momentum but also sets up Charlo’s next fight. A mouthwatering showdown with Canelo Alvarez. 

What do you make of this exciting encounter between Jermall Charlo and Jose Benavidez Jr.? Who do you think will emerge victorious between the two? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Jermall Charlo’s Grueling Workout and Diet Plan for Jose Benavidez Jr. Fight