Jermell DeAvante Charlo Bio
Jermell DeAvante Charlo is an American professional boxer born on May 19, 1990, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Known by the nickname “Iron Man,” he has held multiple light middleweight world titles including the undisputed championship from 2022 to 2023 and The Ring light middleweight title from 2020 to 2024. Charlo began his professional career in 2007 and has established himself as one of the top fighters in his division with a record of 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.
Early Life and Background
Jermell Charlo was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is the younger by one minute of identical twins, with his brother Jermall Charlo also a professional boxer and world champion. Both brothers graduated from Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Texas. Their early exposure to boxing came through following their father, a former boxer, into the gym. Jermell advanced quickly in amateur boxing, winning a bronze medal at the 2005 Junior Olympics at age fifteen and finishing his amateur career with a record of 56 wins and 8 losses.
Path to Boxing
Charlo turned professional at age 17, debuting on December 8, 2007, with a four-round decision win. Early in his career, he built momentum with several knockouts and decision wins, including a notable first-round TKO over Dwayne Jones and a sensational one-punch knockout of Chris Chatman. His early success in regional bouts and steady progression through the ranks positioned him for national recognition and title opportunities.
Jermell Charlo Career
Early Career (2007–2013)
Charlo’s professional career began with a series of victories, including multiple knockouts and decision wins that showcased his power and skill. By 2013, he had amassed an undefeated record of 17 wins, with 8 knockouts. Key early fights included a unanimous decision over Demetrius Hopkins and a TKO win against Jose Angel Rodriguez. These performances established Charlo as a rising contender in the light middleweight division.
WBC Light Middleweight Champion Era (2015–2018)
In May 2015, Charlo won the vacant WBC light middleweight title by knocking out John Jackson. Despite early struggles in the fight, Charlo secured a knockout in the eighth round. He successfully defended the title multiple times, including a sixth-round knockout of Charles Hatley in 2017 and a first-round knockout of Erickson Lubin later that year. Charlo also faced challenges, losing the title in 2018 to Tony Harrison via unanimous decision but regained it in a December 2018 rematch by eleventh-round knockout.
Unified and Undisputed Champion (2020–2023)
Charlo unified the WBC, WBA (Super), and IBF light middleweight titles in September 2020 by defeating Jeison Rosario via eighth-round knockout, adding The Ring light middleweight title to his collection. In 2021, he fought Brian Castaño to a split draw in a bout to unify the WBO title and later won the rematch by tenth-round knockout in 2022, becoming the undisputed light middleweight champion—the first since 2004. Charlo defended his titles successfully but faced setbacks in 2023, including injuries and title vacancies.
Super Middleweight Transition (2023–Present)
In 2023, Charlo moved up two weight divisions to challenge undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez. Despite a unanimous decision loss, the bout marked Charlo’s first competition above 154 pounds at championship level. Following this, Charlo vacated several titles and is currently classified as a “champion in recess” by the WBC. He is reportedly training for a comeback in 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Charlo fights with an orthodox stance and is known for his power punching and tactical approach. His reach of 73 inches and height of 5 feet 11 inches aid his ability to control distance. He combines aggression with precision, often wearing down opponents with body shots and timely knockdowns. His resilience and ability to adjust mid-fight have been key to his success.
Notable Events and Milestones
Charlo became the seventh male four-belt undisputed champion in boxing history and the first undisputed light middleweight champion in nearly two decades. His knockout victories over top contenders and his ability to regain titles after losses highlight his career resilience. The fight against Brian Castaño marked a historic unification, and his bouts have drawn significant viewership on Showtime.
Jermell Charlo Career Wins
Jermell Charlo has accumulated 35 wins in his professional career, including 19 by knockout. His victories span regional bouts, title defenses, and unification fights, reflecting his status as a top competitor in the light middleweight division.
Light Middleweight Highlights
Charlo first won the WBC light middleweight title in 2015 and defended it multiple times before unifying the division in 2020 and 2022. His first major title win came with a knockout of John Jackson, and his most recent significant victory was the knockout of Brian Castaño to become undisputed champion. He has successfully defended his titles against several top contenders, including Jeison Rosario and Tony Harrison.
Other Wins & Performances
Early in his career, Charlo secured notable wins by knockout and decision against prospects and veterans alike, building an undefeated record before capturing his first world title. His performances have been marked by a combination of power and tactical skill, enabling him to rise through the ranks steadily.
Jermell Charlo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jermell Charlo shares a close boxing lineage with his identical twin brother, Jermall Charlo, who is also a world champion boxer. The twins were introduced to boxing through their father, a former boxer, which influenced their early development in the sport.
Personal Life
Jermell Charlo resides in Houston, Texas. Details about his marital status and children are not publicly confirmed. He is known to maintain a professional focus on his boxing career.
2025 Season Performance
After a period of injury and title vacancies in 2023, Jermell Charlo is reportedly training for a comeback in 2025. He has expressed intentions to return to competitive boxing and potentially pursue new championship opportunities. Discussions of potential high-profile matchups are ongoing as he prepares to re-enter the ring.