Jermall Charlo vs Thomas LaManna: Who has the edge heading into their fight?

Jermall Charlo has not fought since delivering a November 2023 unanimous decision over Jose Benavidez Jr.

After that lengthy hiatus, the undefeated former middleweight world champion steps back into the ring to clash with Thomas LaManna at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Will Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) battle a bit of ring rust but still manage to defeat LaManna (39-5-1, 18 KOs)? Or will LaManna make his 40^th career win his biggest victory yet?

Charlo co-headlines the card with Plant with the two on a collision course for a fight later this year if they are both victorious this weekend.

With that fight in the balance, DAZN News analyzes who has the edge heading into Charlo vs. LaManna.

Boxing styles

At his best, Charlo’s brand of being a boxer puncher can overwhelm opponents as he is on the front foot, working the head and body with crisp, stinging combinations before incorporating the hooks.

Constantly touching his opponents while managing ring real estate allows Charlo to bank rounds or end fights, altogether.

That style is going to be opposed by a walking down style of LaManna, who fights foward behind a high guard.

Charlo's punching portfolio is more diverse and for that, he gets the edge here.

Edge: Charlo

Power

Charlo counts 22 of his 33 wins by stoppage for a knockout percentage of nearly 67 percent.

That is in comparison to LaManna’s 18 knockouts representing 39 of his wins.

Charlo can end a fight with an exclamation point, though he has not done so since his seventh-round TKO of Dennis Hogan in December 2019.

Edge: Charlo

Mental Warfare

There is no doubt that Jermall Charlo is the more accomplished boxer than Thomas LaManna, having enjoyed world championship reigns at junior middleweight and middleweight.

That said, LaManna is the more active fighter, last generating a second-round TKO over Noe Alejandro Lopez just this past March.

Charlo has not stepped into the ring since scoring a unanimous decision over Jose Benavidez Jr in November 2023. Prior to that, he produced a unanimous decision against Juan Macias Montiel in June 2021.

Charlo has been open about his battle with mental health issues and we all know you cannot play boxing.

For Charlo to sign on for this bout, it is a sign that he is ready. Now, it is about showing it.

Edge: Charlo

Who has the edge in Charlo vs LaManna?

Jermall Charlo's boxing ability has always been there.

It is why he has the 3-0 edge over LaManna.

Unless Charlo shows otherwise, it is hard imagining him losing this bout.

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