Photo by Josh Jordan/Premier Boxing Champions
On the Halloween edition of PBC on NBCSN, Junior Middleweight contender Jermell Charlo (27-0, 12 KOs) scored a sixth-round knockout victory over former titleholder Joachim Alcine (35-8-2, 21 KOs) at the NRG arena in Houston, Texas.
Charlo, who switched trainers to begin working with Derrick James, established his jab early and sought to establish himself as a power puncher.
Charlo was previously with Ronnie Shields, who still trains his brother, Jermall.
“I wanted to load up and show that I have power. I knew I was getting to him and wearing him down. It felt great to get the knockout,” said Charlo.
By Round 6, Alcine, a faded veteran whose career reached a peak in 2007 when he won a world title, was ready to go.
“I knew after the knockdown in the sixth round it was over, but he was a strong fighter.”
Indeed, after a right hand dropped Alcine, Charlo would quickly end the night with a smart barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight.
“I’m a completely different fighter now with my new trainer. My brother [Jermall] noticed it too and told me the same thing,” said Charlo, who hopes to win a world title after his brother won the IBF crown earlier this year.
Photo by Josh Jordan/Premier Boxing Champions
In the first televised fight, Tony Harrison (22-1, 18 KOs) bounced back from his loss against Willie Nelson with a unanimous decision victory against Cecil McCalla (20-3, 7 KOs).
“I wanted to stay focused and get in my rhythm. The whole point is to hit and not get hit, and I thought I did a great job of that through eight rounds,” said Harrison, who nevertheless left himself open to shots during the fight.
Harrison noticed that he got reckless, but that he at least made an adjustment tonight—something he couldn’t do against Willie Nelson in his previous fight.
“I got kind of careless in the ninth round and the same thing happened tonight that happened against Willie Nelson, but thankfully I had the experience this time to pull it out.
“I’d love to fight back home in Detroit next, and I’d like to face the winner of tonight’s main event,” said Harrison, referring to Jermell Charlo.
However, Harrison also wants redemption.
“I also want Willie Nelson again though. If he can do it twice he’ll make me a believer,” said Harrison.
