Ex undisputed champion targets Jaron Ennis, Vergil Ortiz and Tim Tszyu for comeback: “Line ’em up”

A former undisputed champion has expressed his desire to face any of the big names between 154 and 160lbs, including Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Vergil Ortiz Jr and Tim Tszyu.

The man in question is Jermell Charlo, who has not fought since September 2023, back when he moved up to 168lbs and lost a unanimous decision to Canelo Alvarez.

Prior to that, he became the undisputed super-welterweight king but, given his age and inactivity, is unlikely to return to action at 154lbs.

Instead, Charlo has predominantly been linked to fights at middleweight, with former world champion Tszyu representing a potential opponent following his unanimous decision victory over Errol Spence Jr in July.

According to ‘Iron Man’, though, the Australian has gone “quiet” despite his best efforts to explore the opportunity with long-term advisor Al Haymon.

Equally, Charlo has suggested that the team of Ortiz, who he is rumoured to be facing later this year, has no real intention to negotiate their showdown.

Taking to social media, the American also questioned why unified super-welterweight champion Ennis and Sebastian Fundora, who holds the WBC strap at 154lbs, have expressed no interest in facing him.

“[Tszyu] got quiet after Errol. Boots tryna build a name bullying retired fighters [Terence Crawford]. The 6ft 6in giraffe [Fundora] still figuring out what he wanna do. Vergil Ortiz and them doing all that lying just to spark some s**t. Meanwhile, I’m still right here.

“Stop talking around my name and put one of ’em in front of me. Tim. Boots. Vergil. The giraffe. LINE ’EM UP.”

The only fighter out of the aforementioned four to have an official date in the diary is Fundora, who will defend his world title against mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj on October 17, while Ennis, Ortiz and Tszyu await their next fight confirmations, with Tszyu likely to remain at middleweight and Tszyu reported also considering a move up.

Fans will only be convinced any of the fights happen when Charlo books a ring return, which will likely be at a lower level given the major inactivity.