Koen Mazoudier Says Jermall Charlo May Be Overlooking Him: ‘He’s In For A Rude Shock’

The Australian contender believes Charlo may see him as a tune-up opponent, but says an upset would change his career overnight

Koen Mazoudier believes Jermall Charlo is overlooking him ahead of their July 25 fight in Sydney. The Australian says defeating the unbeaten former two-division world champion would transform his career and prove he belongs on boxing’s biggest stage.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Mazoudier said to Jai McAllister. “You look at my record, you look at how the U.S. views Australia in general as this little brother sort of mentality. As well as, you know, I’ve had half the amount of fights as him and have a few losses. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has that sort of thoughts about me. But he’s in for a rude shock.”

The 30-year-old said he is preparing for the best version of Charlo despite the American’s long spells of inactivity.

“I’m expecting his best. I’m expecting and preparing for the best Jermall Charlo,” Mazoudier said.

The fight represents the biggest opportunity of Mazoudier’s career. Although no title is at stake, he believes a victory over the unbeaten former world champion would transform his future.

“A win here, everyone in the world wants to fight me,” Mazoudier said. “There’s no world title on the line for me in this fight, but I’m taking it as if it is a world title. This guy’s undefeated, a former world champion, a U.S. superstar. So yeah, this launches me into the stratosphere.”

Charlo (34-0, 23 KOs) enters the bout after another lengthy layoff. The 36-year-old has not fought since stopping Thomas LaManna in six rounds on May 31, 2025. That victory was expected to mark the beginning of a more active schedule after years of inactivity, but instead Charlo spent another 14 months out of the ring before accepting the fight with Mazoudier.

Mazoudier (15-4-1, 6 KOs) is moving up two weight classes for the opportunity and will fight in front of a home crowd as the co-feature to Errol Spence Jr. versus Tim Tszyu in what is expected to be the biggest boxing event held in Australia.

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