Just over a week removed from his defeat to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Jermell Charlo has been ordered by the IBF to defend his super welterweight title against mandatory challenger, Bakhram Murtazaliev.
According to Dan Rafael, the fighters' respective camps have been given until November 9 to reach an agreement or a purse bid will be called.
Charlo recently moved up two weight classes to challenge undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo in what turned out to be a one-sided decision victory for the Mexican.
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Jermell Charlo ordered to face Bakhram Murtazaliev
Murtazaliev has been the IBF’s mandatory challenger since November 2019, initially to Jeison Rosario and then to Charlo.
The undefeated Russian has already taken multiple step-aside deals and has fought four times since then.
Now 21-0, Murtazaliev has bided his time while Charlo fought two unification bouts with Brian Castano and the shot at Canelo.
Even prior to his loss last month, Charlo confirmed his intentions to return to the 154-pound division, although it remains to be seen exactly what path the 33-year-old will take.
Will Jermell Charlo vacate the IBF super welterweight title?
Charlo is no longer the undisputed champion at 154lb after the WBO stripped him of the title upon entering the ring to face Canelo.
That belt now belongs to undefeated Australian, Tim Tszyu, whose interim title was upgraded to a full championship.
Depending on Charlo’s intentions, he may well look to get the IBF off his back and vacate that title, rather than face Murtazaliev.
Speaking after his loss to Canelo, Charlo seemed interested in chasing more big-money fights: "It's about fighting the best fights and making the most money at this point in my life and career," he said.
Will Jermell Charlo fight Tim Tszyu?
Should Charlo wish to set about reclaiming his undisputed status, that road will go through either Tszyu, or Brian Mendoza.
The pair are due to fight on the Gold Coast on October 15 (Oct. 14 in the US), with the Australian’s WBO title on the line.
Asked if he will look to recapture all four belts at 154lb, Charlo was non-committal.
“Fighting Brian Mendoza, or Tazoo [Tszyu], who's got an Australian fanbase, is just not as satisfying to me sometimes,” he said.
“But I listen to my coaches, follow the plans and my management, and go from there.”
Tszyu, having been mandatory with the WBO since 2021, has been chasing a fight with Charlo for some time and was even booked to face him in January before a hand injury saw the American pull out.
The 28-year-old will need to defeat Mendoza at the weekend if he's to remain in contention for his long-awaited shot at Charlo.
