By Jake Donovan

Proof that you don’t always need a major title to put together a championship-level contest comes in the co-feature attraction Saturday evening at The Palms in Las Vegas.

Tasked with priming the crown on hand as well as Showtime viewers at home, Jermell Charlo and Vanes Martirosyan prepare to throw down for 10 rounds or less in a junior middleweight with nothing more than bragging rights at stake.

Charlo (25-0, 11KOs) was actually in the running for a title shot, due to face unbeaten 154 lb. beltholder Demetrius Andrade last December. The fight fell apart due to an internal rift within Andrade’s team, prompting Charlo to instead accept a stay-busy fight on a card topped by Amir Khan’s wide points win over Devon Alexander.

Talks of the fight with Andrade resurfaced early in 2015, in fact eyed for this very card among other recent offerings in the past couple of months. Instead, Charlo – whose twin brother Jermall Charlo (20-0, 16KOs) is also a top junior middleweight contender and fights on this very undercard – opted for a risky showdown versus an old friend and gym mate.

Martirosyan (35-1-1, 21KOs) has endured the lone two blemishes on his career ledger in fights with title implications. A Nov. ’12 clash with Erislandy Lara was to determine the mandatory challenger for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, but instead ended in a disappointing technical draw.

Opportunity came knocking exactly 52 weeks later, only for Martirosyan – a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing team - to  come up well short versus Andrade – who boxed for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics - in their Nov. ‘13 vacant title fight.

Two wins have followed, including an emotionally charged 10-round decision over Willie Nelson last October. Martirosyan fought in the memory of his former promoter, the late Dan Goossen who’d passed away just five days prior.

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes Saturday’s junior middleweight crossroads bout in Las Vegas will play out.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: JERMELL CHARLO vs. VANES MARTIROSYAN

Ryan Burton (Martirosyan SD): Martirosyan is the the more seasoned fighter and had faced better competition. I believe that will help him edge out Charlo.

Jake Donovan (Charlo SD): I can see this going similar to Martirosyan-Lara, except with a more conclusive ending... and debate once the cards are read as Charlo styles his way to an unpopular victory.

Terence Dooley (Charlo Dec.): Martirosyan lost the last time he stepped up to world title level.  He will lose again and in the same manner, a decision win for Charlo is the likely outcome.

Steve Kim (Martirosyan Dec.): I think Martirosyan out-fights Charlo in the late rounds to win a hard-fought decision

Peter Lim (Charlo UD): Charlo and Martirosyan were friends and sparring partners when Martirosyan was based out of the Savannah Boxing Gym in Charlo's hometown of Houston. But Charlo was still a 19-year-old work in progress at that time while Martirosyan was already a ranked contender, so Charlo is more of an unknown quantity to Martirosyan than vice-versa. The slicker Charlo will methodically box his way to a close but unanimous decision

John MacDonald (Charlo SD): In a fight that may be a tight, cagey, chess match I can see Charlo getting the benefit of the doubt from the judges.

Takahiro Onaga (Charlo UD12): Very good match up, just see Charlo as having that bit of extra class.

Per-Ake Persson (Martirosyan Dec.): Difficult to pick a winner. Pick is Martirosyan based on experience.

Cliff Rold (Charlo Dec.): This feels like it could end up a slog. It won't be as dull as Lara-Martirosyan but what could be? Look for the quicker Charlo to continue his ascent at 154 lbs.Victor Salazar (Charlo Dec.): Will this be Charlo’s coming out party or will the veteran Martirosyan get a big win to propel himself to a bigger fight? Skill wise, Jermell seems to be the Charlo with the higher ceiling. I see Charlo out boxing Martirosyan. Ronnie Shields has gone up against Martirosyan before with Erislandy Lara and he raves about Jermell’s skill. Martirosyan will put up a good effort but will be beaten to the punch often.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Charlo UD): Ronnie Shields knows Vanes and this is his chance to avenge the tie with Lara. Charlo will use his speed to win this fight.

Alexey Sukachev (Charlo UD): Charlo should finally make his crucial step to a world title fight, and Martirosyan, who was defeated when he needed to make a step up, is a perfect opponent for that. Speed and technique of a younger fighter will befuddle the Armenian and Charlo will prevail in a close fight.

Stacey Verbeek (Charlo UD): Jermell Charlo will use his speed and superior boxing skills to earn a UD over the veteran Martirosyan.

Danny Winterbottom (Charlo UD): Despite the fact that this fight isn't a 'title eliminator' the winner could find themselves in a title fight by the end of 2015.  Jermall Charlo is undefeated in 25 fights but is yet to face any top class competition with his best wins coming against Demetrius Hopkins and Gabe Rosado. However Charlo could become a 'top level' operator and against the battle tested Martirosyan he has the chance to prove his worth. Martirosyan has already challenged for a world title, a November 2013 loss to Demetrius Andrade, and a rematch with the slick champion is a possibility should he inflict the first loss on Charlo's record on Saturday. However I feel that the momentum is with Charlo and I see the younger, fresher possibly hungrier fighter winning by way of a wide points decision.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox