Jermell Charlo battling to be best promoter, not just best fighter

Jermell Charlo faces Jeison Rosario for command of boxing’s junior middleweight division, but his ambitions are much larger than the boxing ring. 

On Saturday, Sept. 26, WBC junior middleweight Jermell Charlo meets WBA and IBF champion Jeison Rosario for division supremacy. It’s a winner take all event, but the stakes for Charlo stretch far beyond the ring.

Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) knows what the damage of a loss means. His only defeat came in 2018 against Tony Harrison. He avenged that loss in 2019 with a knockout. Charlo learned a lot from his lone loss, and he wants to pass on his wisdom to other fighters as a promoter.

Charlo and his twin brother Jermall came up with “Lions Only” together, and now they see their concept grow. Lions Only Promotions is one of the co-promoters of their Sept. 26 Showtime pay-per-view doubleheader.

“I am now raising other fighters and teaching other fighters how to be a champion,” Charlo told FanSided. “I can definitely say I’ve done that. I lost the belt. Got it back. I fought through some adversity. I fought through cuts and bruises. I fought through pain, suffering, and sacrifice. Now it’s time. It’s time to go to be the King and not just be the King, but know when the army is about building that up. And that’s what Lions Only is.”

Charlo is building Lions Only into more than a boxing promotional company. He has morphed the brand into a video production company and clothing line. Both Charlo twins are world champions and are the main attractions under their promotional banner, but they’re spreading the word and signing fighters.

Jermell Charlo enjoys seeing Lions Only grow, but he knows there is still more to learn

“Right now, a good five or six fighters that actually with me,” said Charlo. “We work hard, and we try to get these guys built up. We always got our doors open and willing to play. Like we said, we look for fighters with that lions only mentality. You know, that hungry fighter.”

Things are falling into place for Charlo and Lions Only nicely. He acknowledges that he has received help and advice from others along the way. Unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. has offered his knowledge to Charlo.

“Collaborating with other people like Errol Spence, who has his promotional company and just talking to him and learning what was different,” said Charlo. “All of these things matter.”

Charlo sees Lions Only making progress as a promotional company, but he realizes that there’s more to learn. He’s managed by Al Haymon and takes his advice to heart about matters in and out of the ring.

“Al Haymon has done tremendous things in boxing, and I have to listen and understand that. Keep floating under his wing,” said Charlo. “I cannot act like I’m a bird with my myself. I know there’s always a bigger fish. I know one thing for sure is that  I’m gonna always be a learner and a student to the game.”

If Charlo impressively defeats Rosario and Jermall follows suit against Sergiy Derevyanchenko, their popularity, status, and Lions Only company will flourish.

Tune in to Showtime pay-per-view on Saturday, Sept. 26, to see the Charlo twins in action. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET.