Jermell Charlo Turned Away From NYC Health Club, Asserts Possible Racial Bias

Jermell Charlo tried to visit his brother Jermall, set to fight Saturday at Barclays Center and on Showtime, at the Life Time Athletic club in Manhattan, but was rebuffed on Thursday, he asserts in a post on Instagram.

The Texas twin went with his uncle and a couple friends, while Jermall (age 27; 26-0 record, 20 KOs; fights Sat. for WBC interim 160 title) was working out, to make the 160 pound limit for his fight against Hugo Centeno. In the post text, and a short video snippet, Jermell (age 27; 30-0 with 15 KOs; set to fight next June 9, against Austin Trout) said that he and the crew were turned away, and the cops were called on them.

A gym manager said the party smelled of marijuana, and turned them away, he maintains.

Jermell called his brother and shared the story, from inside his vehicle, and we can see two NYPD vehicles parked at the gym on West 42nd St, which advertises itself as New York’s Newest Luxury Health Club.

“Yeah, we won’t be answering questions,” said an employee  at the club who answered the phone at about 8:21 AM Friday morning.

“So did that happen?” I asked, and he hung up on me.

The alleged incident occurs at a charged time. Two young black men sat down at a Starbucks in Philly a week ago, and a short time later, found themselves being arrested. Because the two men sat down, but didn't order anything, store personnel took offense and called the authorities. Starbucks is doing a nation-wide store closing to have a session to communicate best practices for such an occasion, and that will include racial justice and sensitivity teaching.

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