Charlo KOs Williams to keep IBF crown
LOS ANGELES — Jermall Charlo of Houston successfully defended his International Boxing Federation super welterweight belt for the third time with a fifth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Julian Williams on Saturday night.
Charlo (25-0, 19 knockouts) dominated Williams (22-1-1), scoring two knockdowns, before knocking out the Philadelphian at the Galen Center on the Southern Cal campus.
In the co-feature, Abner Mares knocked down Jesus Cuellar in the 11th round and hung on for a split-decision victory to claim Cuellar’s World Boxing Association featherweight crown.
Mares (30-2-1) earned his fourth world title in three weight classes with a resourceful performance against Cuellar (28-2).
The powerful Argentine champion had not lost in 11 fights since October 2011, but Mares punctuated his effort with a big right hand early in the 11th round, sending the champion sprawling onto his backside. In other news: • Anthony Joshua beat Eric Molina in a thirdround stoppage to retain the International Boxing Federation world heavyweight title at Manchester, England, clearing the unbeaten British boxer’s path to fight Wladimir Klitschko early next year. Joshua has won all 18 of his fights since turning professional after winning an Olympic gold medal at the London Games in 2012.
The World Boxing Association already has sanctioned a fight between Joshua and Klitschko for the spring.
• Unbeaten world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford stopped John Molina in the eighth round at Omaha, Neb., to retain his World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council junior welterweight titles.
Molina didn’t make the 140-pound weight Friday and, had Crawford been upset, the titles would have been vacated.
• New Zealander Joseph Parker claimed the vacant WBO heavyweight boxing title at Auckland with a contentious majority points decision against Mexico’s Andy Ruiz. Two judges called the fight 115-113 in favor of Parker, and the third had it 114-114, improving Parker’s career record to 22-0. Ruiz came into the fight at 29-0 with 19 knockouts.