Former two-division world champion Jermall Charlo has confirmed his intention to maintain a high level of activity following his upcoming 10-round super middleweight bout against Koen Mazoudier.
During a media workout in Houston, the 36-year-old fighter declared that he aims to return to the ring for a second time in 2026 before the calendar year concludes, provided he handles the Australian challenger in Sydney on July 25.
Jermall Charlo targets active 2026 schedule following Sydney return
The undefeated Jermall Charlo, who holds a professional record of 34-0 with 23 knockouts, views this upcoming trip to Australia as a definitive turning point.
After a period where injury and mental health struggles limited him to just five fights since 2020, the resident of Houston, Texas, believes his move to 168 pounds has provided a physical resurgence.
“I feel a lot more comfortable at 168,” Jermall Charlo said during the workout, adding that he feels significantly younger than his actual age of 36.
The July 25 assignment at Afterpay Arena sees Jermall Charlo fighting for the first time in over a year. While some records indicate his last outing against Thomas LaManna occurred in May 2025, others place that fifth-round stoppage in December 2024.
Regardless of the exact month, the long layoff has prompted Jermall Charlo to push for a quick turnaround to stay relevant in the super middleweight championship conversation.
By securing another fight in the late quarters of 2026, Jermall Charlo hopes to bridge the gap toward a world title in a third weight class. This drive for consistency is necessary following his 2024 exit from the middleweight throne.
Although the WBC offered him unconditional support during his hiatus, he was eventually stripped of the WBC middleweight title in February 2024. Staying active is now seen as the key to securing the “big fights” he has long desired.
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One of those potential matchups involves Caleb Plant. Jermall Charlo was vocal during his workout regarding the long-rumored clash, claiming the former IBF titleholder has been “running for years.” Reports as recently as November 2025 suggested that contracts still pending in major boxing circles often involve lengthy negotiations, and a Jermall Charlo vs.
Caleb Plant showdown is no different. A win over Koen Mazoudier would likely be the catalyst for those talks to finally materialize into a signed bout.
Chicagoland clash or domestic rivals: Looking past Koen Mazoudier
The choice of Koen Mazoudier as an opponent serves as a calculated entry for Jermall Charlo into the Australian market. Koen Mazoudier, 30, is the current Australian super welterweight champion and enters this contest on a three-fight winning streak.
Though Koen Mazoudier is jumping up two weight classes from his usual 154-pound frame, Jermall Charlo is treating the encounter with appropriate caution to ensure his 2026 schedule remains intact.
Jermall Charlo revealed that his team originally looked at Armando Resendiz as a potential opponent. However, those plans were adjusted after Armando Resendiz suffered a loss to Jaime Munguia in May 2026. This tactical shift led to the Australian arrangement.
This is not the first time scheduling shifts have altered the landscape of major fights, much like how the boxing match delayed by contract talks between heavyweights has stalled entire divisions.
Jermall Charlo is also keeping an eye on a fighter he referred to as “McGee” as a potential target once his business in Sydney is concluded.
The impact of inactivity on the Jermall Charlo legacy
The statistical drop-off in Jermall Charlo’s career has been noted by fans and analysts alike. Since his peak middleweight years, the 36-year-old has fought sparingly. His first move to super middleweight took place against Thomas LaManna, and the July bout will be his second straight appearance at the 168-pound limit.
He credits trainer Ronnie Shields for keeping him sharp during these gaps, but acknowledge that there is no substitute for live rounds on a pay-per-view stage.
The upcoming Sydney triple-header, co-promoted by No Limit Boxing and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), places Jermall Charlo on a massive platform. The event features former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. against Tim Tszyu in the main event.
Sharing the card with high-level talent like Stephen Fulton emphasizes that the promotional infrastructure still views Jermall Charlo as a major asset. A dominant win would silence critics who believe his best years were left at 160 pounds.
Future outlook for the Charlo brothers in 2026
Jermall Charlo’s return is also intrinsically linked to the career of his identical twin, Jermell Charlo. While Jermall Charlo faces Koen Mazoudier, there is widespread talk of Jermell Charlo being matched with the winner of the Spence-Tszyu fight.
Jermell Charlo has not fought since his October 2023 loss to Canelo Alvarez, and a simultaneous resurgence of the Charlo brothers would be a major story heading into 2027.
The distribution of this card via Amazon Prime PPV ensures that Jermall Charlo’s performance reaches both US and UK markets. For a fighter who has spent years as a domestic attraction in Texas, this international exposure is vital.
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If Jermall Charlo proves his 34-0 record is still reflective of a world-class contender, his vow for a second 2026 bout could set up a massive homecoming.
Much like how Terence Crawford: Canelo Alvarez may not quit boxing headlines prove the longevity of elite stars, Jermall Charlo is betting that he has several championship years remaining at super middleweight.
Whether he eventually moves to light heavyweight to pursue a title in a fourth division remains to be seen. For now, the focus is squarely on Koen Mazoudier and the promise of a busy winter. Jermall Charlo knows that at 36, the clock is ticking, and his legacy depends on turning his recent verbal promises of activity into physical results inside the ring.
