*It’s been a while since we’ve seen this happen folks, but to have three title fights occur on one night is something special. Several decades ago back in the early eighties, I remember Don King promoted what he called “The Crown Affair” with Mike Weaver going against Michael Dokes for the second time for the WBA heavyweight title, and Larry Holmes going against “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon to defend his WBC title.
This all took place at the old Dunes Hotel where now sits the new Bellagio Hotel and Resort. This was indeed a spectacular event with the “Greatest” Muhammad Ali sitting ringside. At the end of the night it was Michael Dokes, and Larry Holmes both holding on to their respective titles in a very entertaining night of boxing.
This past Saturday night there were three junior middleweight championship fights on the line, a big night of boxing featuring Jermell and Jermall Charlo who hail out of Houston, Texas and Cuban American Erislandy Lara all fighting on the same card, with each either defending or fighting for world titles in the junior middleweight (or super welterweight they’re all at 154 lbs.)
The night began with Jermell Charlo going against John Jackson ( the son of former world champion Julian Jackson) for the vacant WBC super welterweight title that Floyd “Money” Mayweather left behind. As this one began Jackson got off to a good start sticking and moving utilizing his jab and his hand speed to take the early rounds. Jermell began to get his mojo working in the fourth and started landing some power shots to the head and the body of Jackson who was able to hold on and withstand the onslaught.
But it all came to a crushing end 58 seconds into round eight when Jermell hit Jackson with a couple of powerful combinations that ultimately dropped Jackson in the corner before referee Tony Weeks called a halt to the bout. He improved his record to 28-0 with 13 coming by way of knockout.
Next came his twin brother Jermall who got in the ring against Austin “No Doubt” Trout in a very competitive match that lasted the full twelve rounds.
Although Trout showed true grit and heart throughout he was being outclassed by Charlo and being stymied by the speed, quickness, and the powerful jab that kept him at bay.
Trout had his moments and they were very good at times when he would land his own powerful straight left down the pipe. The biggest problem he had was that he kept his left hand low quite a bit throughout the bout and as a result he left himself vulnerable to Charlo’s stiff and accurate jab and combinations. And after so much of that, he just seemed to have been handicapped from not being able to see out of his right eye that had swollen very bad. Charlo’s jab was finding it’s mark all night in this very competitive bout.
And at the end of twelve, all three judges scored the bout a unanimous decision for Jermall Charlo who not only retained his IBF junior middleweight belt, but improved his ring record to 24-0 with 18 coming by way of knockout.
This was a very historic and special night for these twins because never in the sport has there ever been two brothers that held world titles in the same division, and because they were celebrating their 26th birthday which made it all that much sweeter. I call them the new “Twin Towers” as they are indeed standing tall in the junior middleweight division.
In the main event we saw Erislandy Lara was defending his WBA junior middleweight title against Vanes Martirosyan in a rematch from the last time they fought in which the bout was stopped in the ninth due to a accidental headbutt and ruled a technical draw.
This time it went the full distance of twelve rounds and both guys got off to a very good start although Lara didn’t get in the groove until the fourth and began to dominate the bout with wicked uppercuts and a stinging right jab. Martirosyan made a desperate attempt to come back in the very late rounds and was connecting with some vicious body shots but ultimately came up short.
At the end of twelve rounds, all three judges scored the bout for Lara who retained his WBA junior middleweight title.
Another bout took place earlier on the card featuring Lanell Bellows who is a native of Compton, Calif. He went against a game Scott Sigmon and scored a knockout in the first round. By doing so he improved his record to 16-1-1 with 9 coming by way of knockout.
Folks, we’re going to be seeing a lot more of this young man so be on the lookout for him.
And finally, young and upcoming prospect 17 year old Devin Haney improved his record to 6-0 with 6 coming by way of knockout by stopping a game Jairo Vargas in the fourth round of their bout that was scheduled for six.
This all took place downtown Las Vegas at the new “D” Hotel and Resort.
You might recall that he fought on the undercard of Pacquiao vs Bradley III, and I hear there’s a possibility that he will be showcased on the upcoming Terrance Crawford vs Victor Postal pay per view event scheduled for July 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. As I always say, we’ll see what happens.
And finally, our hats go off to the folks at Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbee and Nicole Craig as they continue to showcase their stable of African American fighters many of whom would not have had an opportunity to display their talents and abilities. Keep up the good work.
Mohammed Mubarak’s Ringside Update can also be read in the High Desert Inland Valley News, and the Pace News. He is an artist as well and you may go to mubarakart.com or mubarakart on instagram and view his works. He can reached at [email protected] for your comments.
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