The Charlo twins from Houston are a package deal. You seldom see one without the other, whether it’s in person or on Instagram. With one named Jermall and the other named Jermell, it’s sometimes easier to think of them as one instead of trying to tell them apart.
They are the closet thing in boxing to a tag team in wrestling, and they don’t mind being perceived as the villains — quick to boast about their skills and inflict pain on their opponents.
The 28-year-old unbeaten twins will continue their quest to be boxing’s next big stars Saturday night when they headline a “PBC on Fox” card at Barclays Center.
Jermall (27-0, 21 KOs) won a coin toss with his brother and will end the night defending his WBC interim middleweight championship against Matt Korobov (28-1, 14 KOs) of Russia, after Jermell (31-0, 15 KOs) defends his WBC super welterweight belt against late replacement Tony Harrison (27-2, 21 KOs) of Detroit.
A heavyweight attraction between former title contender Dominic Breazeale (19-1, 17 KOs) of Eastvale, Calif., and Carlos Negron (21-0, 16 KOs) out of Miami is also featured. Fox will televise the bouts in the first outing of a new multi-year deal between the network and PBC.
“This is a headlining card for the Charlo twins,” Jermall said, “and we’re ready to put on a show for our family and our fans.”
Hardcore boxing fans are well aware of the Charlo twins, who, when they’re not beating up opponents in the ring, are all over social media talking either fists or fashion. Now the stylish pugilists have the chance to raise their profiles by being featured on national television.
“Now that we’re here, me and my brother have big opportunities,” Jermell said. “We can’t drop the ball. This is important to us and we’re going to take advantage of it. It’s only right that me and my brother close out this year.”
Jermell will be making the fourth defense of his title at 154 pounds against Harrison, who began his career under the tutelage of the late great Emanuel Steward. Harrison lost a shot at the IBF 154-pound title in February 2017 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., when he was stopped in the ninth round by current champion Jarrett Hurd. Harrison, 28, has won three fights since and is confident he can upset Jermell.
“This isn’t my first time fighting on the big stage at Barclays Center,” Harrison said, “so I won’t let the emotions overcome me. No matter who I’m facing or what the platform is, I’ve been fighting my whole life. This is second nature to me.”
Winning is becoming second nature to Jermell. He escaped with a majority decision in June over Austin “No Doubt” Trout of Las Cruces, N.M., after stopping his four previous opponents inside the distance.
“I hope Tony Harrison is at his best,” Jermell said. “There are certain things that he does well and we just need to make adjustments when we get in there. If he wants to box, we can box and if he wants to bang we can be the aggressor.”
Jermall was originally scheduled to face Willie Monroe Jr., but Monroe tested positive for elevated testosterone levels and Korobov replaced him. Korobov’s only loss came by decision in a middleweight title bout against Andy Lee in 2014. The 35-year-old southpaw had been training to appear on the undercard before being elevated to the main event.
“It’s short notice, but we’ve made the proper adjustments to the fight plan,” Korobov said. “We’ll be ready to make it happen the ring.”
This will close out what has been a banner year of boxing in New York with large, enthusiastic crowds at the Garden and Barclays Center.
“It’s certainly an exciting time for the sport of boxing,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment.