THERE was a lot of pressure on Jermall and Jermell Charlo on Saturday night. The 30-year-old Texan twins were the headline acts on a unique pay-per-view doubleheader in Connecticut.
Jermall was defending his version of the WBC middleweight title (Canelo Alvarez is the organisation’s true leader at 160lbs) against quality contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Two-time titlist Jermell, meanwhile, was putting his WBC super-welterweight strap on the line in a unification clash with WBA and IBF king Jeison Rosario.
As expected, both brothers were provided with tough examinations by their opponents – even if the results look rather one-sided on paper – but they passed these tests with flying colours to prove that they were worthy of the lofty platform that they were afforded.
Jermall exhibited impressive variety and adaptability in his fight. The unbeaten former IBF super-welter champ used his height and reach advantages to good effect in keeping the aggressive Derevyanchenko at bay. And when the relentless Ukrainian managed to get up close, Jermall more than held his own on the inside. This was evidenced by Derevyanchenko’s bruised and swollen features after the bout.
A clear unanimous points victory (118-110, 117-111 and 116-112) was just reward for Jermall’s intelligent performance.
Jermell demonstrated his power and patience by dropping Rosario in rounds one, six and eight, leading to a KO in the eighth. He had to withstand a spirited showing from his strong Dominican rival, in spite of the knockdowns. Ultimately, though, his poisonous punch-picking was the deciding factor. He too was a deserved winner.
With three of the four major 154lb belts now adorning his mantelpiece, Jermell is closing in on undisputed world champion status. Patrick Teixeira’s WBO crown is no doubt in his sights.
The supreme athletic specimens that they are, prior to this weekend we all knew that the Charlos had all the physical tools to succeed at the highest level. Now we know that they possess the expertise to put these tools to perfect use, even when under the glare of an unforgiving spotlight.
