Lions Only

This past weekend sat 10th December a young lion displayed himself as the king of the 154lbs pound division. ‘Lion Heart’ Jermall Charlo showed toughness, strength, power, and composure in taking out another young hungry lion in J-rock. In a fight which was evenly matched from the start as both fighters were landing hard shots on each other, counter punching each other and having the same amount of success up until the first knockdown in round 2, where Charlo dropped J-rock heavy with a stiff left jab. J-rock rose on shaky legs but his youth and conditioning was key factors in him gaining his composure back quickly in order to fight on and finish the round strong.

The next two rounds were competitive again with both fighters cancelling each other out but it always seemed the speed and skill set was more in the favor of J-rock, whereas Charlo had the ring generalship and power. In round 5 the lion roared with a display of skill and power when Charlo blocked a shot from J-rock with his right hand, and showed great balance in countering with an on point uppercut with the same right hand and dropping j-rock hard for the second knockdown of the fight.

This was the beginning of the end as j-rock struggled to rise to his feet and showed his inexperience in refusing to hold and try regaining his senses. Two more knockdowns in the round saw the referee wave the end of the fight as j-rock lay on the canvas not seriously hurt, but in no position to continue and Charlo run to the ring corner and flex his muscles to the stunned crowed, showing a sign if pride and dominance over his beaten rival. After being checked over by a local ringside doctor J-rock went over to congratulate his foe but with his adrenaline still pumped and much to the disappointment of the crowd, Charlo refused to shake the hand of his victim and began taunting to the loud jeers and boos of the frustrated crowd in attendance.

After emphatically proving he is number one in his division whats up next for Charlo? We can only hope that it will be hungry, powerful fearless opponents who can challenge and push the young lion into showcasing more of his gifted ability. In the post-fight Charlo talked of moving up to 160 in order to face bigger and better opposition as he feels there isn’t much left at 154lbs. And to a certain extent he is right the other major belt holders in his division are his twin brother Jermall (WBC) and stable mate/ friend Erislandry Lara (WBA/IBO). But there are other young lions lurking around ready to try and take Charlo’s crown that are not related nor have a friendship with him. Slick, highly skilled, talented south paw Demetrious Andrade, powerful, skilled, tough boxer, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. These are just two other lions in the division who can give Charlo that challenge he thrives for and a chance to further his status as a true ‘Lion Heart’.