The Charlo twins – Jermall and Jermell Charlo – must already be considered among the greatest boxing brothers of all time.
Jermall, one minute older than Jermell, is a two-division titleholder if you count the secondary middleweight belt he currently holds. Jermell is a two-time junior middleweight titleholder and arguably has a better resume than his sibling.
And, at 30 years old, they are still writing their legacies. They’re scheduled to take part in fights Saturday on pay-per-view that could take them to the next level, Jermall against Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jermell against Jeison Rosario.
Other sets of boxing brothers have accomplished more as of this moment but stay tuned.
Here is a look at the five greatest brother combinations in the modern history of the sport (post-World War II).
No. 1 JUAN MANUEL AND RAFAEL MARQUEZ
Combined record: 97-16-1 (77 KOs)
Major titles won: 9
Hometown: Mexico City
Background: Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) demonstrated his ability by competing with all-time great Manny Pacquaio on even terms in their four-fight series, including his one-punch KO in fight No. 4. “Dinamita” went 1-2-1 in those four fights but some believe he deserved to win at least two or three of them. The 2020 Hall of Famer, a master counterpuncher, won seven major titles in four divisions. He is arguably the most-accomplished of the great Mexican trio of himself, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, meaning he’s among the greatest fighters ever from his boxing-crazy country. Rafael Marquez (41-9, 37 KOs) is best known for his four epic battles with Israel Vazquez (2-2) but was accomplished outside that series. He won titles in two divisions and had victories over the likes of Hall of Famer Mark Johnson (twice), Tim Austin and Mauricio Pastrana (twice) before declining as a result of so many exciting ring wars. Many believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame. No brother duo ever did it better.
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No. 2 WLADIMIR AND VITALI KLITSCHKO
Combined record: 109-7 (94 KOs)
Major titles won: 7
Hometown: Kiev, Ukraine
Background: The Klitschko brothers weren’t blessed with many elite opponents during a so-so heavyweight era but they made the most of their opportunities. Wladimir (64-5, 63 KOs) had some issues with his chin and possibly fitness early in his career – he was stopped by Ross Purity, Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster – but then embarked on one of the most-dominating runs in heavyweight history. He held at least one major title from 2006 to 2015, the second longest reign in division history. He ultimately met his match against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua but was past his peak. Vitali (45-2, 41 KOs) proved his mettle in a war with Hall of Famer Lennox Lewis in 2003, losing by stoppage because of a cut. His other loss, which cost him his first title, was the result of an injured shoulder against Chris Byrd. Vitali won a second title after the Lewis setback, left boxing for almost four years because of injuries and then came back and won one more belt. He retired as champion. Vitali is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Wlad is on his way there.
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No. 3 MICHAEL AND LEON SPINKS
Combined record: 57-18-3 (35 KOs)
Major titles won: 4
Hometown: St. Louis
Background: Michael Spinks (31-1, 21 KOs) is probably underappreciated. The Hall of Famer was one of the best light heavyweights of all time, building a perfect record at the weight and reigning as champion for more than four years. He made 10 successful defenses. Among his 175-pound victims: Marvin Johnson, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Dwight Muhammad Qawi. He then made quick splash after moving up to heavyweight. He dethroned long-reigning champ Larry Holmes in his first fight in the division and then beat him again in the rematch. He made two successful defenses before he was infamously annihilated by Mike Tyson in 90 seconds in 1988. He never fought again. Leon Spinks (26-17-3, 14 KOs) is best known for upsetting 36-year-old Muhammad Ali by a split decision in his eighth pro fight to become heavyweight champion in 1978. He lost a unanimous decision to Ali in the rematch and never did much after that even after moving down to the newly created cruiserweight division. Both Michael and Leon Spinks won gold medals in the 1976 Olympics.
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No. 4 KHAOSAI AND KHAOKOR GALAXY
Combined record: 71-3 (60)
Major titles won: 3
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Background: The Thai brothers pre-date the Charlos as successful boxing twins. Khaosai (47-1, 41 KOs) was the star. The Hall of Famer, a good boxer known as the “Thai Tyson” because of his power, won his one and only title – at junior bantamweight – by stopping Eusebio Espinal in November 1984 and held it until he retired in 1992, making 19 successful defenses (16 by knockout) along the way. That was the longest reign in division history. Khaosai’s only loss came against Sak Galaxy (no relation) in his seventh pro fight. He won his final 41 bouts. Khaokor Galaxy (24-2, 19 KOs) wasn’t as gifted as his brother but he was good enough to win a bantamweight title twice. He outpointed the accomplished Wilfredo Vazquez to win the belt in 1988, lost it by a technical decision to Sung Kil Moon in his first defense and then regained it by a one-sided decision over Moon in the rematch the following year. Khaokor was stopped by Luisito Espinosa in the first round in his next bout and never fought again.
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No. 5 TERRY AND ORLIN NORRIS
Combined record: 104-19-1 (61 KOs)
Major titles won: 5
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Background: “Terrible” Terry Norris (47-9, 31 KOs) was one of the best and entertaining fighters of his generation, a quick-handed, athletic boxer-puncher with a crushing left hook and a questionable chin. Norris won four titles during three championship runs at junior middleweight between 1990 and 1997. He suffered brutal knockout losses against Julian Jackson and Simon Brown but avenged the latter setback and beat a who’s who of opponents along the way, including John Mugabi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Donald Curry and Meldrick Taylor. The older Orlin Norris (57-10-1, 30 KOs) was an after thought but also a solid fighter. He won a version of the cruiserweight title when he stopped Marcelo Figueroa in 1993, which made the brothers simultaneous champions. He successfully defended four times before losing his belt to Nate Miller in 1995. He then became a decent heavyweight, perhaps best remembered for his fight with Mike Tyson in 1999. Tyson knocked him down after the bell to end Round 1 and he injured his knee, which made it impossible to continue. The fight was ruled a no-contest.