Photo by Tom Casino
Jermall Charlo (20-0, 16 KOs) knocked out Lenny Botai (22-3, 9 KOs) with a sharp left hook in the third round of a scheduled 12-round IBF Light Middleweight eliminator fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The bout was the first of a televised triple-header presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Showtime Championship Boxing.
Charlo, 24, of Richmond, Texas, made easy work of Botai as he landed a hard right hand and left hook combination that hurt Botai in Round 1.
Botai, 37, of Livorno, Italy was clearly overmatched as he struggled to close the distance before eating a short left hook that dropped him in Round 3.
Botai made it up a bit before the 10-count, but his corner had seen enough and threw in the towel.
WATCH Jermall Charlo KOs Lenny Bottai with vicious left hook #boxing #KhanAlexander – http://t.co/oRWrbmDDeW
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) December 14, 2014
Charlo is now the mandatory challenger for the IBF title held by Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, who just recently won the title against Carlos Molina.
“K9, I want you. I want that IBF now,” said Charlo.
Bundrage immediately responded to Charlo’s remarks via Twitter, stating that he was not impressed with the fighter Charlo defeated tonight.
