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Jermell Charlo’s first defense of his junior middleweight title will come on April 22 against mandatory challenger Charles Hatley in Brooklyn, New York. 

Charlo (28-0, 13 KOs) will defend his WBC title in the co-main event of a Showtime card at the Barclays Center headlined by welterweights Andre Berto and Shawn Porter. Charlo is the twin brother of former IBF 154-pound titlist Jermall Charlo, who vacated his belt earlier this year to move up to middleweight. 

“I’m once again ready to get in the ring and continue to build my legacy,” Charlo said. “I’ve been training hard, I’m focused and I’m even hungrier now that I have my belt. Charles Hatley has never been in the ring with someone like me and I’m going to do what’s necessary to get that win. My brother had an outstanding performance against Julian Williams and I want to compete with that. It’s motivated me and I’m ready to get out there and show off my power and skills.”

Charlo, 26, captured a vacant title last May with an eighth-round knockout of John Jackson. 

“The 154-pound division is very hot right now, and Jermell Charlo is one of the best and most exciting fighters in the weight class,” said promoter Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment.

Hatley (26-1-1, 18 KOs) is 9-0 since suffering his lone loss against Lanardo Tyner by first-round TKO in 2012. His biggest victory came in his last fight in November 2015 when he knocked out former titlist Anthony Mundine in Australia. 

“I’ve been training for a long time for this fight and I can’t wait to get in the ring,” said Hatley. “I never stopped training since my last fight and I’m going to be ready to win that world title on April 22. Jermell is a good fighter, but he’s got a big mouth. I know we’re both training hard and going for the win, but I’m going to come out victorious.”