There is no debate anymore. Jermell Charlo proved he is the premier 154-pounder on the planet after accounting for fellow champion Jeison Rosario with an eighth round, body shot at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Saturday night.
With the victory, WBC king Charlo added the Dominican’s WBA Super and IBF titles to his belt collection to cement his claim as the best in the division after scoring three knockdowns in a virtuoso performance.
“I definitely proved that I’m more than just a puncher, but I also showed again that I’m a big puncher,” said Charlo afterwards. “I’d give myself an A tonight. I stuck to my gameplan and listened to my coach [Derrick James].
“Everything we did in camp, I used it in this fight. I pushed myself the whole way through training camp. It’s been a journey for me. I’m bringing the straps home to my family like they told me to.
“I knew that he was going to keep coming after the first knockdown,” He kept pressing for four or five rounds until I floored him again. I’m growing and learning that the knockout just comes. I know that I have explosive power in both hands. I utilised my jab more than any other punch in this fight and that’s what got me these straps.”
Behind an imposing left lead, Charlo’s razor sharp punches sliced through the game but outgunned Rosario (20-2-1, 14 KOs). His shots carried the fire and the fury as he dropped Rosario with left hooks in the first and sixth before a sickening jab to the body kept the Dominican down for the full count in the eighth.
Rosario had concentrated on the body, but Charlo’s head never fell. The Dominican was warned by referee Harvey Dock after his punches strayed low in the sixth, but he was hopelessly outgunned.
At the time of the stoppage, Charlo led 66-65 and 67-64 (twice) on the cards.
“Dreams do come true,” added Charlo (34-1, 18 KOs). “This is a part of my dream and a part of my destiny. I’m satisfied and I’m happy. I know right now that I’m going to talk with the sanctioning bodies and see what’s next. I’m holding the crown. I’m the king.”
On the undercard, Mexican Luis Nery became a two-weight world champion after trumping compatriot Aaron Alameda (25-1, 13 KOs) on the cards to win the vacant WBC 122lbs crown. Scores were 118-110, 116-112 and 115-113.
“I got the victory because I landed more,” said Nery (31-0, 24 KOs). “You always look for the knockout, but he used the jab a lot, and that threw me off a little bit until I was able to connect more at the end of the fight.
“There are a lot of good fighters in this division. [WBA Regular champion] Brandon Figueroa’s name has come up, but we’ll check with the team and go from there. We’re ready to fight anyone at 122lbs. We don’t fear anybody.”
In a battle of former world champions, Danny Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) prevailed, outscoring Juan Carlos Payano (21-4, 9 KOs) in a keenly contested WBC 122lbs title eliminator.
The scores were unanimous 116-112 (three times) with Roman’s strong finish proving crucial. He won the final four rounds on all three cards to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
“It’s always good to have your hand raised,” said Roman. “I can’t take anything away from Payano. He’s a veteran and he knows a lot of tricks. I had to adjust. It feels good to get a win again and I’m looking to keep that feeling going.
“We’re at the level and ready to fight [Luis Nery]. I still have unfinished business with [WBA Super and IBF title holder] Murodjon Akhmadaliev. I want that rematch. If not that, then I’m ready to fight [WBO champion] Angelo Leo.”
Main image and all photos: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.