In a startling turn of events, Jermall Charlo found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. The 33-year-old boxing champion was arrested in Texas on Monday evening and charged with a trio of misdemeanors: driving while intoxicated, fleeing the scene of an accident, and eluding police. This revelation came straight from Pearland Police Department public information officer Chad Rogers, as reported by ESPN.
Charlo's arrest was accompanied by a set of eye-opening details. Court records revealed that he was released after posting a $9,500 surety bond. Notably, his blood alcohol content was recorded at over 0.15—well exceeding the legal limit of .08.
The consequences of this incident extended beyond legal ramifications. The World Boxing Council (WBC) swiftly responded by stripping Charlo of his WBC middleweight title, a crown he had not defended since June 2021. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman expressed empathy for Charlo's situation, stating on social media that the organization would continue to support him during these challenging times, particularly with regard to mental wellness.
This decision to strip Charlo had been preceded by mounting pressure on Sulaiman to take action, a sentiment that intensified following Charlo's recent troubles and subsequent arrest. The move elevated Carlos Adames, ESPN's No. 2 boxer at 160 pounds, to the newly vacated champion position.
Sulaiman's statement hinted at a future course of action, suggesting a possible move for Charlo to the super middleweight category, contingent on a comprehensive evaluation of the circumstances.
The incident itself unfolded when Charlo, behind the wheel of his red Lamborghini, was involved in a collision around 6:41 p.m. According to police reports, a heated exchange followed the accident, culminating in Charlo leaving the scene rather than awaiting the authorities. His attempt to evade police was short-lived, as officers soon identified and trailed him. Charlo was finally apprehended after a brief pursuit, during which he reportedly drove through a red light.
Upon arrest, Charlo was subjected to standard sobriety tests, which confirmed that he was impaired to a degree impairing his "normal use of his mental and physical faculties." Subsequently, he was taken into custody and transported to the Brazoria County Jail.
This incident marks a troubling chapter for Charlo, whose recent professional endeavors have been overshadowed by personal missteps. As the boxing world reacts to the news, questions linger about Charlo's future in the sport and the implications of his off-the-ring behavior.
Following Tuesday's events, Jermall Charlo saw his grip on the WBC middleweight title slip away, a distinction he hadn't actively defended since June 2021.
"The WBC is committed to supporting Jermall Charlo during this challenging time, particularly with a focus on his mental wellness," stated WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman in a social media post on Tuesday.
Sulaiman had been under mounting pressure to strip Charlo of his title even before Tuesday's arrest, but he had staunchly resisted public demands, consistently voicing his support for the troubled fighter.
With the decision to revoke Charlo's title, interim champion Carlos Adames (23-1, 18 KOs), ESPN's No. 2 contender at 160 pounds, stepped into the role of champion.
"The WBC will collaborate closely with PBC to determine the best course of action for addressing Jermall's needs at this moment," Sulaiman further commented. "Following a thorough assessment of the situation and understanding of the circumstances, the WBC may consider ranking Jermall in the super middleweight category."
Charlo's downfall began with a collision involving his red Lamborghini around 6:41 p.m. on Monday, followed by a heated verbal exchange at the scene. Rather than wait for law enforcement, Charlo opted to leave, prompting a pursuit by police.
After driving for approximately one mile, Charlo was intercepted by officers and subsequently arrested. He was taken to the Pearland jail for sobriety tests, which revealed impairment of his mental and physical faculties. He was later transferred to Brazoria County Jail.
Despite his championship status, Charlo had not defended his 160-pound title since June 2021. Sulaiman refrained from immediate comment when contacted by ESPN regarding Charlo's situation.
In November, Charlo tipped the scales at 166.5 pounds for a victory over Jose Benavidez Jr., marking his return to the ring after a 29-month hiatus. His twin brother, Jermell, suffered a decisive defeat to Canelo Alvarez in September, a matchup that Jermall was initially slated to headline against the boxing icon last Saturday in Las Vegas.
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