Jermall Charlo had every reason to be distracted when he entered the ring to defend his WBC interim middleweight championship.
Minutes before his bout with Matt Korobov, Jermall's twin, Jermell, lost a unanimous decision to Tony Harrison, costing Jermell his WBC super welterweight crown. It was a new experience for both Charlos, who entered last Saturday night unbeaten.
Jermall (28-0) kept up the family name with a twelve round unanimous decision over the game Korobov (27-2).
"I felt like Jermell made his fight harder than it was," Jermall said. "I had a really tough opponent, but he wasn't better than me. There was a lot on my mind in the ring."
Jermall was emphatic at the finish — perhaps to erase any doubt with this set of judges. He staggered Korobov in the middle of the 12th round, and they slugged it out pretty much until the finish.
Charlo won 119-108 on one card, 116-112 on the other two. Korobov was subbing for Willie Monroe Jr. after Monroe failed a drug test.
Charlo was pleased to have an opponent who extended him the full twelve round distance with a very experienced opponent like Korobov, who was a highly decorated amateur - and at one time was considered to be one of the best up and coming fighters at 160-pounds.
“I used everything that happened as motivation in the 12th round,” Jermall said. “I haven’t been that far in a fight in a couple of years. It felt good to be in there, get hit and bang with someone. He was an experienced guy who will make me better.
“I had fun in there with an opponent like that. I got the win and that’s the main thing. I still feel I’m the best in the world. I just need to prove it to the rest of the world.”
2023-10-22 12:51:04
