Jermall Charlo is finally set to return to the ring after a frustrating stretch of postponements, and he’s already looking past his upcoming opponent toward the bigger names at super middleweight.
Charlo faces Koen Mazoudier on October 17 at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, on the undercard of Sebastian Fundora vs. Ermal Hadribeaj. The bout was originally supposed to happen in July in Sydney on the Errol Spence Jr.-Tim Tszyu card, but was postponed due to visa issues on Charlo’s end before finding a new home on the Fundora-Hadribeaj show.
It’ll be Charlo’s first fight since stopping Thomas LaManna in 2025, continuing a career that’s been slowed by injuries and personal struggles, having fought only twice since 2021 despite an unblemished 34-0 record with 23 knockouts.
Mazoudier enters at 16-4-1 off a four-fight win streak since a 2024 loss to Nikita Tszyu, known for an aggressive, high-volume style, though he’s expected to face a steep step up in class against Charlo.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV about his future at 168 pounds, Charlo named Demetrius Andrade as a fighter he’d like to face, while making clear he’s open to any of the division’s top names, saying he considers himself right in the mix with them and intends to establish himself as a major player at the weight.
I would even like to fight Demetrius Andrade. We’re not just gonna keep waiting…the guys who are at the top, I just want the top fighters, and wherever the top fighters are at, I’m here.
“I’m right in the mix with them. I’m new to 168; I’m here to take over 168!
Charlo’s ability to operate at his previous elite level remains an open question given the extended inactivity, but a strong showing against Mazoudier would go a long way toward proving he can still compete with the fighters he’s calling out.
