As of late, the career of Jermall Charlo has been incredibly frustrating. Since 2020, the argumentative WBC middleweight champion has fought just once annually. In 2022, due to a nagging back injury and personal issues, the 32-year-old was forced to withdraw from his optional title defense against fringe contender, Maciej Sulecki.

With ample time to rest and recover from his physical aches and pains, Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) recently revealed that he plans on returning to the ring sooner rather than later.

“23,” said Charlo to a group of reporters when asked when he expects to make his return. “I’m 100% now.”

Before being hit with the injury bug, Charlo appeared to be well on his way to securing one of the premier names in the sport. Following back-and-forth negotiations with representatives of Mexican star Jaime Munguia, a collision course between the pair appeared to be a virtual lock.

However, with promotional ties rearing their ugly head, their mouthwatering bout fell by the wayside. In the absence of a matchup against Charlo, Munguia (41-0, 33 KOs) has kept busy, albeit against uninspiring competition.

To close out a mostly successful, yet somewhat underwhelming year, the middleweight contender made quick work of Gonzalo Gaston Coria, stopping his man in the third round on November 19th, in Guadalajara, Mexico.

As a chorus of boos and criticism has cascaded from all four corners of the globe, team Munguia has promised fans that the plan going forward is to pursue bouts against not only Houston’s Charlo but also against reigning unified middleweight champion, Gennadiy Golovkin.

While it remains possible that Munguia finds himself standing across the ring from Golovkin in 2023, Charlo wholeheartedly doubts that the hard-hitting contender will summon the courage necessary to face him.  

“Munguia don’t want no smoke,” continued Charlo. “He would’ve been fought me.”