LAS VEGAS – "Don't call it a comeback; I been here for years.”

That’s how hip hop icon and boxing super fan LL Cool J begins his hit anthem 'Mama Said Knock You Out'.

For Jermall Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs), although he’s been on the boxing block for 17 years, the former two-division champion no longer has it down on lock.

That’s why Charlo needs a reintroduction of sorts before his Saturday night fight against Thomas LaManna (39-5-1, 18 KOs) at the Mandalay Bay to co-headline a PBC on Prime Video show, as he officially kicks off his comeback campaign after fighting only once in the last four years.

Charlo has been sidelined with a rash of inactivity in recent years due to dealing with mental health problems as well as an arrest last May for driving while intoxicated, fleeing the scene of an accident, and eluding police, which resulted in three misdemeanor charges. The WBC stripped Charlo of his 160-pound title on the same day the developments were made public.

Even when Charlo made efforts to fight, the optics did not look good. When he returned for a November 2023 tuneup against Jose Benavidez Jr., Charlo was 3.4 pounds overweight for a 163-pound catchweight and won an uninspiring unanimous decision.

“It’s about the bounceback and comeback,” Charlo told The Ring. “Time will tell if the best of Jermall Charlo is yet to come. We’re not finished yet. They want to start writing my documentary, but I’m not done boxing yet. I’m in a better space, a better world. I’m smarter now. The negativity is behind me. I owe my fans because it took me so long to get back. I missed boxing.”

The inactive Charlo, who turned 35 earlier this month, opened up about the emotionally painful ordeal he’s had to deal with in recent years.

“A closed heart is an unhealthy heart,” he said. “I went through a time where I needed someone to talk to, but I held it in and tried to play tough. I had a drink and kicked it with everybody and thought that was going to help, but I did things that made it worse ... I was staying at home in my mansion for a week or two at a time and not even leaving and having one meal a day. I was dealing with a dark place by myself. Boxing is what I love to do, and I had to go back to doing the things that I loved. If I didn't have this fight, I probably would go back and have to deal with more s—t.”

For the LaManna fight, Charlo will be making his 168-pound debut as a minus-1200 betting favorite, according to DraftKings. The fight will be featured on the card headlined by Caleb Plant when he takes on Armando Resendiz. If Plant and Charlo both win, they’re expected to face each other later this year.

“I’m more preserved than y'all think that I am,” said Charlo. “I feel like I’m 25 even though I'm 35. Some men can relate; you get stronger as you go. My body hasn't taken any damage lately. I’m all the way healthy. I have no excuses. I feel like I’m reaching my prime as a late bloomer. I’m getting stronger and feeling better.

“LaManna is not going to be able to get past my jab. My jab is coming from everywhere. I might be able to beat him with just one hand. But I want to show y'all some rounds and show that I’m back.”