For a long time, it seemed as though Jermall Charlo’s boxing career was over for good. After a two-year hiatus that ended with a disappointing loss to Jose Benavidez Jr. in November 2023, the unbeaten fighter was stripped of his title and left with a lot to prove. However, Charlo has never been one to back down from a challenge, and he is determined to put his career back on track.
Charlo’s journey to the top of the boxing world has been a rocky one. He and his twin brother, Jermell, were raised in a rough neighborhood in Houston, Texas. From a young age, they were drawn to boxing as a way to stay out of trouble and make a better life for themselves. Under the guidance of their father, a former boxer himself, the Charlo brothers quickly rose through the amateur ranks and turned professional in 2008.
Jermall Charlo made a name for himself in the middleweight division, racking up an impressive record of 31 wins and 0 losses. He became the IBF middleweight champion in 2015 and successfully defended his title three times before moving up to the middleweight division in 2017. He continued his winning streak, defeating top opponents such as Julian Williams and Austin Trout.
However, in 2019, Charlo’s career took a turn for the worse when he was stripped of his title due to a dispute with the IBF over a mandatory challenger. This setback was followed by a two-year break from the ring, leaving many to wonder if Charlo would ever return to his former glory.
But now, after an eighteen-month layoff, Charlo is set to make his comeback against Thomas LaManna on June 19th. The fight will take place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, and will be Charlo’s first as a middleweight since 2017. Fans are eagerly anticipating his return, and many are wondering if he still has what it takes to be a top contender in the division.
One of the most significant factors in this fight will be the physical stats of both fighters. Charlo, who stands at 6’0″, will have a two-inch height advantage over LaManna, who stands at 5’10”. Charlo also has a longer reach of 73 inches compared to LaManna’s 71 inches. These physical advantages could play a crucial role in the fight, allowing Charlo to keep his opponent at a distance and land his powerful punches.
Another aspect to consider is the weight difference between the two fighters. Charlo has fought at middleweight for most of his career, while LaManna has primarily competed in the welterweight division. This could give Charlo an advantage in terms of size and power, as he is used to facing opponents who are naturally bigger and stronger.
But perhaps the most significant factor in this fight will be Charlo’s knockout ratio. Throughout his career, he has shown incredible power and has knocked out 22 of his 31 opponents. This gives him a knockout ratio of 71%, which is significantly higher than LaManna’s 29%. Charlo’s ability to end a fight with one punch could be the deciding factor in this matchup.
In terms of experience, Charlo has a clear advantage. He has faced tougher opponents and has been in high-pressure situations throughout his career. LaManna, on the other hand, has never fought at the elite level and will be stepping into the ring with Charlo for the first time. This could be a significant disadvantage for LaManna, as he may not be prepared for the intensity and skill of his opponent.
So, what can we expect from this fight? It’s safe to say that Charlo will be looking to make a statement and prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division. He will be eager to show that the past two years have not slowed him down and that he is still a top contender for the title.
On the other hand, LaManna will be looking to pull off an upset and shock the boxing world. He will be motivated to prove that he belongs in the ring with the best and that he is not just a stepping stone for Charlo’s comeback.
In the end, it’s hard to bet against Charlo. He has the experience, physical advantages, and knockout power to come out on
