Photo by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
Jermall Charlo (22-0, 17 KOs) is now a world champion.
After boxing as a professional for seven years, Charlo challenged Cornelius Bundrage (34-6, 19 KOs) for his first world title, and passed with flying colors with a third-round knockout at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
The scheduled 12-round fight was the co-main event of a PBC on NBC card headlined by a fight between Peter Quillin and Micheal Zerafa.
Bundrage, it must be admitted, was very rusty after a nine-month layoff, and the age disadvantage of almost twenty years–Bundrage is 42, while Charlo is 25–certainly didn’t help him tonight.
“You win some you lose some. The problem was, I’ve been inactive. I was in there with a good fighter who has been active and is hungry,” said Bundrage.
Indeed, has he came forward with a slow jab, Charlo drilled Bundrage with a powerful right hand that immediately dropped him.
“I’m older and have to stay active to stay with these young guys. I’m not going anywhere. I have to stay active to see punches coming,” said Bundrage.
Indeed, Charlo would follow the knockdown with three more–all of which Bundrage could do nothing to prevent. The fourth hand final knockdown forced the referee to stop the fight as there was nothing Bundrage could do to win.
Charlo, of Houston, Texas, is now a title holder at 154, and will look to continue his reign alongside his brother, Jermell.
“This is the future. I am the future of boxing,” said Charlo.
“I want to become even better. I want to defend my title and show everyone how good I am,” concluded Charlo.
What did you think of Charlo’s victory? Let us know in the comments section.
