Charlo: ‘It feels good to be back’

After being out of the ring for 18 months, unbeaten two-division champion Jermall Charlo (34-0, 23 KOs) is back and looking to conquer the 168-pound division as he returned Saturday night against Thomas LaManna from the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Charlo, 35, remained perfect after dropping LaManna (39-6-1, 18 KOs) three times. At the beginning of the sixth round, referee Mark Nelson would stop the fight on advice from the ringside doctor, and Charlo’s comeback was a success.

In his return, Charlo used his big jab to bust up LaManna’s face. According to CompuBox, 44 of Charlo’s  67 punches landed were jabs.

Photo: Rhonda Costa/Premier Boxing Champions

The Houston native scored his first of three knockdowns in Round three, hurting LaManna with a straight right before sending him down with a left hook. In the fourth round, Charlo landed a left hook that forced LaManna to buckle and take a knee. While they initially ruled no knockdown, that decision was overturned on video review between rounds, and he returned to his dominance in the fifth frame, this time delivering a right hand that put the 33-year-old LaManna down for the third time.

“It feels good to be back,” Charlo said after the win. “I’m thankful to everyone who stood by me; I love y’all. It goes on man. I’m back. You know you gotta go through things to get better…I felt good. I got to work and I knew my timing was there. Shout out to my trainer Hylon Williams Sr.”

During his time away, Charlo faced numerous personal challenges, including legal issues, but he believes those things are behind him.

“I’m just looking to stay well-known and relevant,” he said. “No more dark places and keep my head straight. I just want to encourage everyone in the world, keep God first, keep God first.”

With Plant losing in the main event to Armando Reséndiz, Charlo, who was expected to fight Plant next, may have to find a new dance partner for his next opponent, or the fight with Plant may still happen; who knows at this point? However, this was a good first step for Charlo. Going forward, if he wants to be a factor at 168, he will have to stay active.