Jermall Charlo won the WBC middleweight championship belt in 2021, but he won't be sporting it these days. And not just because he hasn't defended the belt in three years.
Instead, it was for a considerably worse reason. Namely, he was arrested earlier in the week and charged with three misdemeanors related to driving while intoxicated in Texas. He's also been accused of fleeing the scene of an accident and attempting to elude police, per Pearland Police Department public information officer Chad Rogers, via ESPN.
The WBC stripped Charlo of his title a day later.
"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," WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement posted on social media.
"The WBC will closely work with PBC in securing the best course of action to attend to Jermall's needs at this moment. After a thorough evaluation of the situation and understanding of the facts and times the WBC may rank Jermall at super middleweight."
Given the news, interim titleholder Carlos Adames (23-1, 18 KOs) was elevated to champion.
"Charlo was driving his red Lamborghini around 6:41 p.m. Monday when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle, according to police," ESPN reported.
"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's twin brother, Jermell, lost badly in a decision to Canelo Alvarez in September.
