Jermall wins but twin loses
Jermall Charlo had every reason to be distracted when he entered the ring to defend his WBC interim middleweight championship.
Minutes before his bout with Matt Korobov, Jermall’s twin, Jermell, lost a unanimous decision to Tony Harrison, costing Jermell his WBC super welterweight crown. It was a new experience for both Charlos, who entered Saturday night, Dec. 22, unbeaten.
Jermall (28-0) kept up the family name with a one-sided 12-round victory over the game but outclassed Korobov (27-2).
“I felt like Jermell made his fight harder than it was,” he said. “I had a really tough opponent, but he wasn’t better than me. There was a lot on my mind in the ring.”
Jermall was emphatic at the finish—perhaps to erase any doubt with this set of judges. He staggered Korobov in the middle of the 12th round, and they slugged it out pretty much until the finish.
Jermall Charlo won 119-108 on one card, 116-112 on the other two. The AP had it 117-111 for Charlo over Korobov, who was subbing for Willie Monroe Jr. after Monroe failed a drug test.
“I haven’t been that far in a fight in a couple of years. It felt good to be in there, get hit and bang with someone,” Jermall added. “He was an experienced guy who will make me better.”
Earlier, Harrison withstood a late surge by Jermell Charlo to take his title in a unanimous decision that drew heavy boos from the crowd of 9,177 at the Barclays Center.
When the verdict was announced, Harrison leaped around the ring in celebration while Charlo stood in disbelief. Soon after, Charlo broke into Harrison’s interview on Fox to say “You know I won this fight.”
Not according to judges Julie Lederman and Ron McNair, who had it 115-113 for Harrison. Robin Taylor scored it 116-112 for the winner. /