HOUSTON – His championship belts draped over each shoulder, boxer Jermall Charlo, the pride of Alief, made it abundantly clear.
Charlo, a 34-0, undefeated former middle weight and super middleweight champion, fights Koen Mazoudier on July 25 in Sydney, Australia as part of the undercard of the Errol Spence-Tim Tszyu fight.
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‘Y’all can expect me to really have a dominant performance, that’s all I’ll say," Charlo told KPRC 2 during an autograph session Thursday night at Trill Burgers. “I’ll probably throw over 200 jabs. I’m representing America first. Majorly, I’m representing Houston. We’re going to put our flag in Australia come fight night.
“I feel great. This is the best shape I’ve been in for so long. I’m ready to just get back to Houston. I want to bring the fight back to Houston.”
Two-time boxing champ Jermall Charlo @FutureOfBoxing of Alief interview @KPRC2 Thursday @trillburgers @BunBTrillOG pic.twitter.com/KJhydQEPjB
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 10, 2026
Charlo, 36, won by technical knockout over Thomas LaManna last year.
Now, he’s back in action. He previously defended the middleweight title three times and the super middleweight title five times.
“I’m excited, I’m more excited to be giving back to my fans and be at Trill Burgers with Bun B and all the fans in Houston,” Charlo said “We’re having a good time. It means a lot to me, showing that my fans really come to support me. They know that I’m undefeated for a reason. You know, it’s Jermall ‘The Hitman’ Charlo here.”
Charlo has previously taken time away from boxing to work on himself, including his mental health. There’s a lot of stress involved in being a fighter. He emphasized he’s in a great place. Charlo has been open in discussing previous issues of depression and sought help for that and disclosed he deals with bipolar disorder.
Now, Charlo is ready to write the next chapter in his boxing career.
“It means a lot to me,” Charlo said. “It’s a lot of willpower to keep winning because, hey, I’m at the top. I’m the champ. I’ve got all these people with me.
“I’ve got to stay at the top of my game. I’ve got to stay in shape. I’ve got to stay the best. That’s why I don’t take fights whenever I was going through things because I want to be at the best. I want to give the fans what they’re used to seeing. I’m going for another belt. Houston, we’ve got a problem.”
Charlo grew up as a fan of several boxers, including Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and Evander Holyfield.
“I like them all,” Charlo said. “I can name them all. I’m a real boxer.”
Having the support of the community means the world to Charlo.
And being at Trill Burgers with his fans and rapper Bun B provided him with a warm environment.
“Look, we both care about the city of Houston,” Bun B told KPRC 2. “We care about the community. We want to touch the people. We don’t hide behind walls or keep people separated from us.
“He wanted to come in and touch the people. I was happy to open my doors to him. We want to show that not only does Trill Burgers and Bun B support him, but the city of Houston supports him. We want him to go to Australia, win that fight, come back with a victory. That’s all that matters.”
Before leaving the original Montrose location of the growing burger chain, Charlo said he planned to enjoy some food.
“Bun, can I get a burger?” Charlo said.
Bun B replied: “You can get all the burgers in the world.
“This is the home of the burgers,” Charlo said. “Trill Burgers, baby,”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com