Success runs in the family for undefeated twins Jermall and Jermell Charlo

Right now, it’s easy to tell the Charlo twins apart.

Jermall is the one with the title belt. But that could change Saturday when Jermell fights for the vacant World Boxing Council junior middleweight championship against John Jackson at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on a Showtime-televised card.

Jermall, the International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champ, defends his title on the same card against veteran Austin Trout. Both 12-round fights are in support of the World Boxing Association junior middleweight title fight between champion Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan, a rematch of their 2012 fight that ended in a draw.

“This is my opportunity,” Jermell Charlo said. “This is my chance. This is my moment. My brother had his before. He’s going to defend his title, and I’m going win my belt on Saturday.”

The twins from Houston, who turn 26 Thursday (Jermall is one minute older), are a lot alike. They train together. They support each other like one would expect twin brothers to do.

But they’re also different. Eachhas his own trainer (Ronnie Shields trains Jermall, and Derrick James trains Jermell). Jermall is into 1980s soul music, and Jermell is into R&B and hip-hop. Jermall’s favorite color is black; Jermell’s is white.

However, when it comes to boxing, they are of the same mindset. Work hard, be prepared for anything, and go 100 percent once the bell rings.

“We’ve been that way since we were 6 years old,” Jermell said. “We both are competitive. We both love to win.”

They’ve fought on the same card before. But the stakes are more significant Saturday. Jermall is trying to retain his title, and Jermell wants his own belt.

Jermell (27-0, 12 knockouts) last fought in October, stopping Joachim Alcine in Houston. He faces a strong, tough opponent in Jackson (20-2, 15 KOs), the son of former world champion Julian Jackson. But Jermell Charlo has prepared for a tough fight.

“I know he’s going to bring it,” Jermell said. “But this is my moment. I’m going to get what I deserve and what’s mine.”

For Jermall, who retained his belt Nov. 28 with a technical knockout of Wilky Campfort, it’s about keeping what he already has. Trout (30-2, 17 KOs) has won four straight since losing to Lara in December 2013.

“I almost feel like the underdog,” said Jermall Charlo (23-0, 18 knockouts). “I feel like I’m going to do what I have to do to win this fight. I expect the best Austin Trout to show up Saturday.”

The twins say they’ve improved over the past year or so.

“I think we’ve both elevated our games,” Jermell Charlo said. “My brother has made a big amount of improvement with everything. I’m trying to do the same thing, and that’s get better.”

Added Jermall Charlo: “We’re both strong. We’re both fast. We’re both athletic. We push each other.”

But could they see themselves fighting each other for the titles?

“No,” Jermall said. “We wouldn’t have anything to prove fighting each other, and I’m pretty sure the people around the world wouldn’t want to see twin brothers that train with each other and have the same tactics fight each other.”

Said Jermell: “We compete with each other about who’s in the best shape, and it’s sibling rivals but never actual rivals. But I can’t see us ever fighting each other.”

Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow on Twitter: @stevecarprj