Jermall Charlo vs. Caleb Plant - 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

JERMALL CHARLO-CALEB PLANT GRUDGE MATCH BEING DISCUSSED FOR 2026

Jermall Charlo and Caleb Plant are in talks for a super middleweight clash in 2026, sources tell The Ring.

Charlo and Plant fought in separate bouts in May on a PBC event that put the former champions on a collision course. However, best-laid plans were disrupted when Plant was upset by Jose Armando Resendiz via decision at Las Vegas' Michelob Ultra Arena.

Charlo (34-0, 23 KOs) won his fight against Thomas LaManna, via sixth-round TKO, later that evening. Despite Plant’s setback, the grudge match will proceed if a deal can be reached to match the pair.

Charlo and Plant are among the most recognizable names in the sport. They engaged in an altercation in July 2023 during Terence Crawford-Errol Spence fight week when Plant slapped Charlo.

Resendiz, meanwhile, is in talks fight Edgar Berlanga, The Ring reported last week. It’s possible that fight is paired with Charlo-Plant if all is finalized.

Charlo, 35, is the twin brother of fellow former champion Jermell Charlo. Jermall is a former titleholder at junior middleweight and middleweight.

Plant (23-3, 14 KOs) is a former super middleweight titleholder. He’s ranked No. 7 by The Ring at 168 pounds.

[joshj909]

Charlo and Plant are among the most recognizable names in the sport.

I wouldn't say their names or faces are even recognisable for most casuals these days.

[gilgamesh]

Charlo probably wins it. Both of them feel like they'd only be setting themselves up to be a high profile opponent with a win though

[goose 5]

I'd bet on Plant to win.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Charlo Vs Plant Set For Jan 31 In Long-Awaited Grudge Match

Jermall Charlo revealed today that he’ll be fighting Caleb Plant in a “grudge match” on January 31, 2026. He says he wanted to fight before the end of the year, but it didn’t happen.

Why He Still Wants Plant

The former two-division world champion Charlo (34-0, 23 KOs) will finally get a chance to get his lick back after being slapped by Plant (23-3, 14 KOs) two years ago in 2023. The 35-year-old Jermall would have fought Plant by now, but he’s been too inactive.

Much of the fan interest that was once there in a Charlo-Plant fight has disappeared. The former IBF super middleweight champion, ‘Sweethands’ Plant, has lost three out of his last five fights since 2021. He’s no longer seen as being one of the top rung 168-pounders. Charlo waited too long to pull the trigger on this fight, and he missed his window when this match was still hot.

Charlo Drops the Date

“I’m back. I was calling them out. I’ll show you the messages. I was trying to get a fight before the end of the year and still fight at the top of the year,” said Jermall Charlo on Brian Custer’s YouTube channel. “I guess we’re looking at January 31st. Dang, I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.

Charlo fought earlier this year, knocking out journeyman Thomas LaManna in the sixth round. That was Jermall’s first fight back after a two-year layoff. In his previous fight, he defeated Jose Benavidez Jr. by a 10-round unanimous decision on November 25, 2023.

Plant’s Recent Slide

Charlo fought on the same card as Plant vs. Jose Armando Resendiz. The idea was that Jermall and Plant would fight next. But when Plant lost to Resendiz, it ruined those plans.

“I want to fight Caleb Plant. I want to get that fight out of the way, because the only fight in my career that makes the most sense. They’re calling it a grudge match. I’m calling it straight boxing. I want to get that fight in and take care of business,” said Jermall.

[MPW]

I suspect this one may have passed its "sell-by" date. I also don't think there's any middle ground, the bout will either be an all-out entertaining scrap or an absolute stinker.

[gilgamesh]

It may wind up being interesting for the fact that basically their careers as relevant fighters are on the line here. The loser is out, and if it's a dud decision that wouldn't help either one of 'em really.

Hopefully they bring it, because they both have to have this one.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ronnie Shields confirms reunion with Jermall Charlo

Ronnie Shields has confirmed that he is working again with Jermall Charlo.

Shields recently cornered the lightweight contender Justin Pauldo to victory over Nike Theran on Saturday’s ProBox TV card at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

“I just started working back with Jermall Charlo,” Shields told Boxing Scene. “We haven’t started working together yet, but he called me, and he wants to come back. We are going to start working in the next couple of weeks.”

Shields is no stranger to either of the Charlo brothers, because he trained Jermall and his brother Jermell during their professional careers. Jermall had worked with Shields up until his past fight, when he fought Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna. Charlo won via a six-round technical knockout.

“We started from the very beginning and won championships together,” Shields said. “We are trying to revisit that.”

Charlo, a former two-division belt holder who captured titles at junior middleweight and middleweight, is next looking to campaign at super middleweight. No date or opponent has been set for his return. Shields, regardless, has an expectation for what is next for Charlo.

“You never lose what you had,” Shields said. “You just got to get it back. The thing about boxing is the training is the most important thing. Once you get back in that groove, nothing should change.”

[margaret thatcher]

boring, like the last 6 years of charlos career. even before that his 'big' fight at mw was against loser to stars sergey derev

[gregregegg]

It’s a good fight. Winner is relevant to the division. Loser is not.

[gilgamesh]

It’s a good fight. Winner is relevant to the division. Loser is not.

It's crazy that it's taken Jermall like 16 years to step up to a guy who's now considered past his best. That was from Jermall's own generation.

Jermall isn't a waste of talent. He's an example of how you can get a career out of a guy that doesn't have much of it.

[margaret thatcher]

It’s a good fight. Winner is relevant to the division. Loser is not.

boring as hell fight, plant couldnt even beat a clubfighter last time out.. lmao he lost the fight that was supposed to set up this one and looked like crap. its yet another so f@cking what fight for jermall. omg he beat jose armando resendiz's leftovers in a fight that shoulda happened 5 years ago! WHAT A STATEMENT!

now danny jacobs vs jermall, like 7-8 years ago when they got into it backstage, that woulda bee a legit good grudge match

[margaret thatcher]

resendiz vs bek is better than this

plant's daddy vs the former amateur star who just took a good prospect's 0 in a war (and who hasnt spent the last 6 years stagnating). and as far as 'meaningful', actual wba title on the line, not just someone may be a contender again

[MPW]

resendiz vs bek is better than this

plant's daddy vs the former amateur star who just took a good prospect's 0 in a war (and who hasnt spent the last 6 years stagnating). and as far as 'meaningful', actual wba title on the line, not just someone may be a contender again

I agree, Resendez vs. Melikuziev is a much better fight.

Now ponder this one: if Plant had defeated Resendez, he would have just been elevated to WBA champ from interim and all the talk of him fighting Charlo would be in defense of that belt.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Sweet Dick Willie]

Is this happening? It's not on boxrec

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is this happening? It's not on boxrec

No it’s not confirmed

[Sweet Dick Willie]

Any updates on this??

[MPW]

Any updates on this??

Charlo in talks to fight Resendiz for the WBA title, so it appears Plant is not in the picture.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Sweet Dick Willie]

Nice! What about lil Charlo, anyone heard of him?