On Saturday night Jermell Charlo has the opportunity to join twin brother Jermall as a champion of the world in the Super-Welterweight division.
Jermell 27-0 (12KO’s) faces John Jackson 20-2 (15KO’s) in a vacant world title fight ordered by the WBC.
To distinguish the two apart in terms of physical features is near impossible, but in terms of styles there are differences to be noted.
Jermell is the more developed of the two, which is why Jermall 23-0(18KO’s) getting to a world title first came as a small surprise. Jermell learnt quickly to take the back foot in contests, using his speed and great timing to outbox his opponents.
Jermall is the heavier handed of the pair.
Equally skilled, Jermall looks to take control of the centre of the ring where he can control his opponents before exerting his size advantage upon them – Jermall stands at 6’0” which is tall for a 154lbs fighter.
In Jackson, Charlo is facing the son of the hard hitting – understatement of the year – Julius Jackson.
John has inherited some of the power that his father possessed, and that almost afforded him a career best win over Andy Lee in 2014.
After flooring Lee and looking to stop the Middleweight, Jackson walked onto a peach of a left hook, leaving the American out for the count.
Jackson has faced a few moderate opponents since, while his other reverse was at the hands of Willie Nelson.
Jermell has developed over a number of contests, beating on points the likes of Demetrius Hopkins, Gabriel Rosado and Vanes Martirosyan, before halting Joachim Alcine in round 6 last October.
Jackson has a punchers chance, but given that he never got through to an often vulnerable and inconsistent Willie Nelson, it doesn’t seem likely that he will dash Jermell’s hopes in Las Vegas.
Charlo can command the contest from the opening bell, controlling Jackson behind the jab before whipping in hooks to keep his opponent honest.
Jackson will have his moments, but as the pace drops in the second half of the contest, Jermell will begin to force Jackson back.
A late stoppage could be on the cards, but the safe bet is for Jermell to capture the WBC title on points.
(This weekend’s light-middleweight fight is part of a 154lbs triple header on Showtime):
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