Jermall Charlo’s scheduled return to the ring on July 26 is in jeopardy due to a visa delay. The former two-division world champion’s entry into Australia is reportedly stalled by past legal issues, leaving promoters with little time to resolve the situation.
The fight against Koen Mazoudier was set to take place on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu undercard in Sydney. For Charlo (34-0), it was a critical step in his comeback after a long period of inactivity. The uncertainty now casts a shadow over a key bout on the international card.
According to boxing insider Dan Rafael, the fight’s promoters are not confident the issue will be resolved. “Per source, PBC/TGB officials do not believe Jermall Charlo will be granted a visa to travel to Australia in time for his scheduled fight next Saturday on the undercard. Charlo was to have traveled earlier this week but because of past legal issues his visa has been…” This report from a reliable source suggests the problem is significant, coming from within the promotion itself.
With the event less than ten days away, organizers are in a difficult position. The options include finding a last-minute replacement opponent for Mazoudier or removing the fight from the card completely. Either outcome diminishes the event, as Charlo’s return was a primary attraction supporting the main event. His name was a key part of the promotional push, particularly for the American audience.
Another cancellation would represent a serious setback for Charlo, disrupting his efforts to regain momentum in the middleweight division. For Mazoudier, it means the potential loss of a career-defining opportunity against a high-profile champion. As of now, neither PBC nor TGB has officially announced a change to the fight card as they work against the clock.
