The former undisputed junior middleweight champion claims, though, that the more accomplished, higher-profile 154-pound and 160-pound opponents he wanted box weren’t willing to fight him December 13 in Robina, Australia. The Houston native’s need to end an extremely long layoff left him to face Jarvis (23-2, 21 KOs) on the Tim Tszyu-Erislandy Lara undercard at Cbus Super Stadium.

Charlo, 36, hasn’t won a fight since he knocked out Brian Castano in the 10th round of their rematch in May 2022 to become the fully unified 154-pound champion. He hasn’t boxed since Canelo Alvarez easily defeated him on points in a 12-round super middleweight title fight that took place in September 2023.

The ever-confident Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) expects to make another championship run at junior middleweight or middleweight in 2027, thus this fight should at least help him establish some momentum going into what he hopes is an active year.

“I’ve heard all the talk, and now it’s time to remind everybody why Jermell Charlo is still him,” Charlo said in the press release to announce the card Tuesday. “I appreciate Brock Jarvis stepping up, because a lot of these so-called top guys got cold feet. They use my name for clout but get quiet when it’s time to sign on that dotted line. I’m willing to fight on a co-main event all the way in Australia because that’s how hungry I am.

“I’ve got so much in me and I wasn’t going to let this year end without giving my fans what they’ve been waiting for. On December 12 [in the United States], I’m going to show everybody why I’m the most dangerous fighter from 154 to 160 pounds. I’m coming to take what’s mine. Lions Only!”

Charlo would love to have his fight with Tszyu rescheduled if the Australian contender can win the WBA middleweight title from Cuba’s Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs) in the 12-round main event of a card DAZN will stream internationally. Tszyu was scheduled to challenge Charlo for his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO 154-pound crowns in January 2023, but their fight was postponed and ultimately canceled once Charlo suffered two fractures to his left hand while training in December 2022.

Tszyu (28-3, 18 KOs) didn’t want to wait for Charlo’s hand to heal and instead defeated Tony Harrison by ninth-round technical knockout to win the WBO interim championship in March 2023. Charlo couldn’t pass on a career-high payday for moving up two weight classes to battle Alvarez when his twin, Jermall, passed on that huge opportunity in June 2023.

The 28-year-old Jarvis, meanwhile, wants to prove that he is better than he showed when former WBA/WBC welterweight champ Keith Thurman beat him by third-round TKO in March 2025 and IBF welterweight champ Liam Paro knocked him out in the first round in October 2022.

“This is the fight I have waited my whole career for,” Jarvis said. “A former undisputed world champion, in a stadium, at home in Australia. It does not get bigger than this. Charlo thinks he’s coming to Australia to restart his career. I’m here to ruin his comeback.”