Who Is the Better Boxer, Jermell or Jermall Charlo?

Jermell Charlo will probably face the most significant test of his professional life. Currently the undisputed Light Middleweight champion, he is leapfrogging two divisions to meet a living legend at the T Mobile Arena next Saturday. It is one of the year’s biggest matches. But sheer fate brought him to the door where a win would forever earn him a place in history. Had it not been for him, his brother Jermall Charlo would have had to do the honors. As the ‘Iron Man’ prepares for a Mexican onslaught, many wonder how different it would have been if his brother, the Middleweight champion, had exchanged blows with Canelo Alvarez.

To set the context, the comparison between boxing’s preeminent twin champion brothers isn’t a new thing. A division might separate the identical twins. But their record and stories behind fights reveal distinct style preferences. Jermell Charlo is younger by a minute. But he appears to be a bit more active boxer, participating in thirty-seven bouts, out of which he won in thirty-five. In contrast, the ‘Hitman’ remains unbeaten in 32 matches.

Arguments in favor of Jermall Charlo

However, it should be noted that Jermall Charlo last fought on July 19, 2021. It was his fifth title defense. But since then, the WBC Middleweight champion has not seen the ring’s face. Experts have a near-unanimous opinion that the ‘Hitman’ stands out for his powerful jabs and punches. Additionally, against a crafty opponent like Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who in the past took the likes of Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs to the distance, he proved himself a fantastic tactician, nullifying the Ukrainian’s attack, thus displaying a granite chin.

With a knockout-to-win rate of 69% against his younger brother’s 51%, it becomes clear that Jermall Charlo, with a propensity for early stoppages, fights to hurt. However, former Middleweight champion Austin Trout, who fought the ‘Hitman in 2016 before he faced Jermell Charlo in 2018, said about the brothers’ fighting styles, “They both have good jabs and a strong right hand. I [think] ‘Mell has the better skill set. He’s been a bit faster. The thing about ‘Mell, I see, is he takes different approaches to different fights, whereas ‘Mall, he kind of comes about each fight the same way.”

Arguments in favor of Jermell Charlo

Sixteen of Jermell Charlo’s wins came through decisions. Thus, it is a well-settled contention that he prefers fighting the opponents till the final bell. But he also does it with much emotion, as many followers have vouched for it before. The often-cited example is the two matches against Tony Harrison (2018, 2019). Seemingly, the trash talks took a toll on Charlo. He lost the first bout. The second one, too, would have left his hands had it not been for the eleventh-round knockout that stopped Harrison.

Hence, it showed that he knows how to harness and channel his anger towards a greater goal. The fact that four out of the five fights during the last four years ended in knockouts proves that the 33-year-old is working on his strength. Not the least, he seems endowed with faculties of better movement and setting himself up in the ring in the most prudent manner, as Canelo Alvarez mentioned in a recent interview.

Final Thoughts

Given the long two-year break, many would find evaluating the better boxer between the Charlo brothers more challenging. Would the prolific calendar that his brother followed have helped Jermall Charlo? No easy answers as such. On the other hand, there’s no point denying that Jermell Charlo has improved his game with each bout. Perhaps that’s what gave him the confidence to jump two divisions to attack one of the greatest boxers of the generation.

Read More: “That’s My Brother Not Me”: Jermell Charlo Disagrees With His Brother on the Ryan Garcia vs. Gervonta Davis Bet

Who would be your pick as the better fighter among the Charlo brothers? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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