In the second main event of a doubleheader on SHOWTIME PPV at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut on Saturday night, Jermell Charlo (34-1, 18 KOs) became the king of the 154-pound division after he dropped Jeison Rosario two times before knocking out Rosario (20-2-1, 14 KOs) in stunning fashion just 21 seconds into the eighth round with a straight left jab to the body. Rosario struggled to get to his knees and appeared to have the wind knocked out of him as he was counted out by referee Harvey Dock.
“It’s Lions Only forever,” Charlo said. “We’ve been doing this for a long time. Dreams do come true. This is a part of my dream and a part of my destiny. I’m satisfied, and I’m happy.”
Charlo became boxing’s ninth unified champion with his trainer Derrick James becoming the only current trainer with two unified titlists, including Jermell and Errol Spence Jr.
After seven completed round, Charlo held a narrow lead on all three judges’ scorecards: 66-65 and 67-64 twice.
Rosario was sent to the canvas early as scored a knockdown on a left hook to the top of Rosario’s head in the first minute of the fight. In the closing seconds of the sixth round, Rosario went down for the second time as Charlo connected on a short left hook that stunned Rosario, who was saved by the bell. Rosario was taken to the hospital for observation following the fight.
“I knew that he was going to keep coming after the first knockdown,” Jermell said. “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 utilized my jab more than any other punch in this fight, and that’s what got me these straps.”
What happens next for Charlo? Maybe a rematch with WBC mandatory challenger Erickson Lubin, who he stopped in one round three years ago, or perhaps he tries to unify with WBO champion Patrick Teixeira, which could be tricky because Teixeira is with Golden Boy Promotions. However, for now, let’s celebrate the king of the 154-pound division, Jermell Charlo.
Photo: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
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