A look at the former titlist's greatest performances as he prepares to deliver another against nemesis Tony Harrison Saturday night in a world title rematch, live on FOX.
When Jermell Charlo steps into the ring Saturday night at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, his mind will be set on one thing: Knocking Tony Harrison out.
Charlo has repeatedly stated this objective in the build up to the long-awaited rematch which will be broadcast live on FOX PBC Fight Night (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). Their first encounter, a year ago, ended with Harrison winning a close unanimous decision that many, including Charlo, thought should have gone the other way.
Instead, Harrison claimed the WBC World Super Welterweight title, and bragging rights leading up to this rematch. Naturally, Charlo doesn’t want to leave the outcome of the sequel in the hands of three ringside observers.
Harrison, 29, 28-2 (21 KOs), is unconvinced. During their heated FOX PBC Face to Face, he reminded the 29-year-old Charlo (32-1, 16 KOs) that he had only knocked out “less than 50 percent” of his opponents. To which Charlo countered, “They never gave me an easy fight.”
Indeed, Charlo has flashed serious power in almost all of his biggest bouts. Here’s a look at five of his most memorable knockouts:
5 JORGE COTA
Date: June 23, 2019
Location: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
Result: Charlo KO 3
Records: Charlo 31-1 (15 KOs), Cota 28-3 (25 KOs)
Summary: This was supposed to be the rematch between Charlo and Harrison, which occurred six months earlier. But when an ankle injury forced Harrison to postpone the bout, a new opponent was needed. Enter Jorge Cota, the veteran Mexican slugger coming off a spirited split decision loss to a rising Jeison Rosario.
As expected, both fighters looked for the KO from the opening bell. Charlo’s speed, defense and athleticism allowed him to slip most of Cota’s shots as he worked his way inside. He hit paydirt in the third, when a beautiful overhand counter right caught Cota flush, introducing him to the canvas. He was still wobbly when he rose. Once action resumed, Charlo stepped in with a perfect one-two, dropping Cota down and out as referee Jay Nady waved off the bout.
"I'm a much better fighter," Charlo said, comparing this latest performance to his bout versus Harrison. "[Harrison] is lucky he didn't accept a fight with me this time."
4 JOACHIM ALCINE
Date: October 31, 2015
Location: NRG Arena, Houston
Result: Charlo TKO 6
Records: Charlo 26-0 (11 KOs), Alcine 35-7 (21 KOs)
Summary: Charlo appeared destined for a world title bout. But first he had to get past the veteran Alcine. Fighting in front of friends and family and his native Houston, Charlo took control early on, establishing his jab. The right hand would soon follow as he buzzed Alcine in the third and fourth rounds.
The end occurred in a brutal sixth. It began with two Charlo rights, the second one flooring Alcine. The Canadian rose and gamely fought back. Charlo wouldn’t be denied, pouring it on until referee John Schorle had seen enough.
“I wanted to load up and show that I have power,” Charlo said of his first knockout in over two years. “I knew I was getting to him and wearing him down.
“I’m getting older, better, wiser and improving with every fight. Everything people saw tonight is a product of hard work in training.”
3 CHARLES HATLEY
Date: April 22, 2017
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Result: Charlo KO 6
Records: Charlo 28-0 (13 KOs), Hatley 26-1-1 (18 KOs)
At stake: Charlo’s WBC World Super Welterweight Title
Summary: Perhaps it was this performance that put the rest of the division on notice and established Jermell as the man to beat at 154-pounds. The athletic Hatley was equal parts boxer and puncher but was simply no match for the champion. The action heated up in the third round when Charlo floored Hatley with a right to the temple. Hatley survived the round but wouldn’t last much longer.
Charlo came out swinging in the sixth, firing a series of power shots with vicious intentions. A highlight-reel counter right left Hatley face first on the mat and the Brooklyn crowd gasping in awe. Hatley was out cold when referee Harvey Dock mercifully stopped it.
“The Charlos don't play,” Jermell said afterward. “This is what my life has always been like. The Charlos have strength and power, and that's what makes us who we are. My whole family and team are here and we're doing our thing.”
Trainer Derrick James beamed with pride. “Jermell gave a phenomenal performance,” he said. “He did everything we worked on in camp.”
2 JOHN JACKSON
Date: May 21, 2016
Location: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas
Result: Charlo KO 8
Records: Charlo 27-0 (12 KOs), Jackson 20-2 (15 KOs)
At stake: Vacant WBC World Super Welterweight Title
Summary: This was a major step-up for the 26-year-old Charlo. Fighting for his first world title, Jermell expected John Jackson to engage in a slugfest. But the St. Thomas product had other plans, using his jab, quick hands and feet to outbox his opponent from the outside.
Heading into the eighth round, it appeared Charlo had no answers. He was well behind on the scorecards and seemingly in danger of losing the fight. All of that changed with one shot. As Jackson stepped in, Charlo uncorked (what else?) an overhand right followed by two hard lefts. A dazed Jackson turned away, seemingly unaware of where he was as his head rested between the ropes. Referee Tony Weeks immediately jumped in to save Jackson from further punishment as a jubilant Charlo jumped into the arms of trainer Derrick James.
“I was behind. He was boxing, he was moving around a lot. That was unexpected of him. I thought he was going to come out and brawl, so I had to make an adjustment and I did,” Charlo said.
“When he started slowing down, I was able to catch him with a shot. I knew that if he could have continued, he could have come back, so I had to hit him.”
1 ERICKSON LUBIN
Date: October 14, 2017
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Result: Charlo KO 1
Records: Charlo 29-0 (14 KOs), Lubin 18-0 (13 KOs)
At stake: Charlo’s WBC World Super Welterweight Title
Summary: The war of words leading up to this fight made it one of the biggest of 2017. Charlo, the reigning 154-pound king headed for stardom versus Lubin, the hottest young boxer in the game who believed his time had come—and wasn’t afraid to tell it to anyone listening.
This was supposed to be a Fight of the Year candidate. It turned out to be an annihilation.
Fight fans at the Barclays had barely found their seats when Charlo landed a crunching short right uppercut midway through the first. Lubin collapsed to the canvas, out before he hit the deck. Referee Harvey Dock began to count and then thought better of it, waving it off at 2:41 of the frame.
"They were giving him a lot of attention. I was quiet the whole time," said Charlo. "They said they were going to come take my title. I had to defend it.”
Lubin has since worked his way back into world title contention. But on that night, in the biggest fight of his career, Charlo delivered his finest performance. Can he do it again on Saturday night versus Tony Harrison?
For a closer look at Jermell Charlo, check out his fighter page.
