Jermall Charlo facts for kids

Jermall Charlo (born May 19, 1990) is a well-known American professional boxer. He has won world championships in two different weight classes. From 2015 to 2017, he held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light middleweight title. Later, from 2019 to 2024, he was the World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion. Jermall has an identical twin brother, Jermell Charlo, who is also a professional boxer and was once the undisputed light middleweight world champion.

Early life and family

Jermall Charlo was born on May 19, 1990. He is one minute older than his identical twin brother, Jermell. Both brothers grew up in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Alief Hastings High School.

Amateur boxing career

Jermall and Jermell started boxing because their father was also a boxer and took them to the gym. As an amateur boxer, Jermall hoped to join the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. However, he had to stop due to a toe injury. He continued boxing as an amateur for one more year. He finished his amateur career with an impressive record of 65 wins and only 6 losses.

Professional boxing journey

Jermall Charlo has had an exciting career as a professional boxer. He has fought in different weight classes and won many important titles.

Light middleweight champion

Starting his career

Jermall Charlo began his professional boxing career on August 12, 2008. He won his first fight by technical knockout in the second round. Over the next five years, Charlo remained undefeated. He won many fights, including against boxers like Orlando Lora and Antwone Smith. By the end of 2014, he had won all 20 of his fights, with 16 of those wins coming by knockout.

On March 28, 2015, Charlo faced Michael Finney in Las Vegas. Charlo won every round and earned a unanimous decision victory. This was the fifth time in his career that a fight went the full distance.

Winning his first world title

In September 2015, Jermall Charlo fought Cornelius Bundrage for the IBF light middleweight title. Charlo completely dominated the fight. He knocked Bundrage down multiple times. In the third round, Charlo landed a strong combination of punches. The referee stopped the fight, making Charlo the new IBF light middleweight champion.

Defending his title

Just a few weeks after winning his title, Charlo defended it against Wilky Campfort on November 28, 2015. Charlo knocked Campfort down in the second round. In the third round, Campfort took a knee after a series of punches. Charlo then landed a powerful uppercut that hurt Campfort's eye. The referee stopped the fight in the fourth round because Campfort could not see properly.

On May 21, 2016, Charlo defended his title against former world champion Austin Trout. It was a close fight, but Charlo landed stronger punches in the first half. He won by a unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Charlo's next big title defense was against Julian Williams on December 10, 2016. Charlo kept his IBF light middleweight title by stopping Williams in the fifth round. Charlo knocked Williams down in the second round with a strong jab. In the fifth round, Charlo landed a right uppercut that dropped Williams again. After a final series of punches, the referee stopped the fight. After this win, Charlo announced he would move up to the middleweight division.

Moving to middleweight

On February 16, 2017, Jermall Charlo officially gave up his light middleweight title. He decided to move up to the middleweight division. He had been finding it difficult to make the weight limit for light middleweight.

Becoming a mandatory challenger

On July 29, 2017, Charlo fought Jorge Sebastian Heiland. This fight was important because the winner would become the mandatory challenger for the WBC middleweight title. Charlo won the fight by stopping Heiland in the fourth round. Heiland had an injured left leg from the start of the fight. Charlo knocked him down twice, and the referee stopped the fight to protect Heiland. This win made Charlo the top challenger for the WBC middleweight title.

Winning an interim title

On April 21, 2018, Charlo fought Hugo Centeno Jr. for the vacant WBC interim middleweight title. Charlo won the title by knocking out Centeno in the second round. Charlo landed a left hook followed by a right hand, and the referee quickly stopped the fight. After the win, Charlo expressed his desire to fight the biggest names in the middleweight division.

Defending his middleweight titles

On December 22, 2018, Charlo defended his WBC interim middleweight title against Matt Korobov. Korobov was a last-minute replacement after Charlo's original opponent had to withdraw. Charlo won the fight by a unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

On June 29, 2019, Charlo fought Brandon Adams. Charlo controlled most of the fight and won by a wide unanimous decision, keeping his WBC middleweight title.

On December 7, 2019, Charlo defended his WBC middleweight title against Dennis Hogan. Charlo knocked Hogan down twice during the fight. He won by technical knockout in the seventh round when the referee stopped the fight.

On September 26, 2020, Charlo faced Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who was considered one of his toughest opponents. Charlo used his powerful jab and showed great skill. He won the fight by a unanimous decision after 12 rounds, successfully defending his WBC belt.

On June 19, 2021, Charlo defended his title for the fourth time against Juan Macias Montiel. Charlo was in control throughout the fight and won by a unanimous decision.

On November 25, 2023, Charlo fought José Benavidez Jr. in a non-title middleweight bout. He won the fight by unanimous decision, continuing his undefeated streak.

Super middleweight plans

A planned big fight

In early 2024, it was announced that Charlo was set to fight the undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo Álvarez. This would have been a huge fight for Charlo. However, the fight was later canceled.

Professional boxing record summary

See also

In Spanish: Jermall Charlo para niños

• List of world light-middleweight boxing champions
• List of world middleweight boxing champions