Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
Jermall Charlo (23-0, 18 KOs) headlined the November 28 edition of Premier Boxing Champions in Dallas, Texas–just a few hours north of his hometown of Houston.
Charlo took on Wilky Campfort (21-2, 12 KOs) in front of a sold out crowd inside The Bomb Factory of Deep Ellum, and defended his IBF Super Welterweight title in a one-sided match-up that pleased the pro Charlo crowd.
In the opening round, both Charlo and Campfort tiptoed around the ring feeling each other out while trying not to make an early mistake. With every blow that Charlo threw, the crowd cheered in excitement for their fellow Texan. The jab was the main weapon used by Charlo and it landed very effectively throughout the match.
“My game plan was to start off using the jab and to see how he’d react. It was a powerful weapon,” stated Charlo after the fight.
Charlo made it very clear throughout the week that since winning the championship he has not stopped training.
“Once you get the title, you defend it. That’s the motto,” said Charlo.
If Campfort had any chance of winning, he would have to bring the fight to Charlo and that can be a dangerous gameplan. Campfort struggled to get past Charlo’s stiff jab early on and when he found himself inside, Charlo reminded him of the size advantage he possessed.
“I had a problem getting passed his jab. Once I got in, he was so much bigger than me and my punches couldn’t really affect him. He controlled the fight with his jab,” said Campfort.
After a few rounds of being outboxed and outclassed, plus suffering a knockdown, Campfort found himself on the wrong end of punches in Round 4. Charlo began to smell blood after a knockdown and pressed on until the referee in charge had seen enough and called it.
Afterwards, Charlo praised the Dallas crowd and welcomed any challenger in the 154-pound division.
“I love Dallas! This is like a second home. These fans are great and I look forward to coming back. I’m going to stay here at 154. This is my title and I’m going to defend it. I’m ready for anyone,” stated a confident Charlo.
With the 154 division filled with a lot of talent, Charlo should have no problem finding himself across the ring from a top fighter very soon.
