Jermall Charlo stripped of WBC middleweight title after DWI arrest
The World Boxing Council has stripped middleweight champion Jermall Charlo of his title after he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, fleeing the scene of an accident and eluding police on Monday.
“The WBC has provided and will continue to do as much as possible to support Jermall Charlo during his difficult times with regards to mental wellness,” the WBC said in a statement. “After a thorough evaluation of the situation and understanding of the facts and times the WBC may rank Jermall in super middleweight.”
The WBC's Board of Governors named Carlos Adames as its new champion in the division. Charlo has not defending the title since June 2021 and Adames became interim champion in Oct. 2022.
According to ESPN, Charlo's blood alcohol content was 0.15, well over the legal limit of .08. He was released by Pearland Police Department in Texas on $9,500 bond.
The 33-year-old Charlo, the WBC middleweight titleholder, was driving his red Lamborghini around 6:41 p.m. Monday when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle, according to police.
A verbal argument ensued following the crash, and Charlo left the scene rather than wait for police to arrive. The officer eventually identified his whereabouts and pulled up behind Charlo in a marked car with his lights activated.
Charlo, the sole occupant of the vehicle, drove for approximately one mile while an officer trailed him. Eventually, another officer parked in front of Charlo as he attempted to drive through a red light, forcing him to stop.
Charlo was transported to Brazoria County Jail after undergoing standard sobriety tests at city of Pearland jail. It was determined that the 33-year-old had lost "normal use of his mental and physical faculties."
"We are optimistic that there will be a good solution," Charlo's attorney, Kent Schaffer, told TMZ.
Charlo has a career record of 33-0-0 (22 KOs). His last fight came in November, a decision win over José Benavidez Jr. at 166.5 pounds.
