Jermell Charlo has gained revenge and the WBC super welterweight championship once again, defeating Tony Harrison in their grudge rematch.
The fight headlined a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. It served as a rematch of their first meeting 364 days ago, which saw Harrison win a controversial unanimous decision to end Charlo’s title reign and undefeated record.
This rematch saw a theme of Charlo trying to get inside and land power, while Harrison worked a jab and continued to press forward.
Charlo got off on the right foot, however, by scoring a knockdown of Harrison in the second round.
CHARLO STRIKES FIRST!
It's an early knockdown for @TwinCharlo after both fighters trade shots in Round 2. #HarrisonCharlo2 pic.twitter.com/7k5pEGli6B
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) December 22, 2019
By the next round, the two were getting into several clinches and needed to be separated multiple times. Harrison put his focus on working the body, while Charlo tried to throw combinations. Charlo was throwing more, but it was Harrison who was doing a better job with connecting. By the halfway point of the fight, it was completely an inside battle.
The champ battles back in Round 3! 👀
Who ya got winning the fight so far? #HarrisonCharlo2 pic.twitter.com/4haieYlBEg
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) December 22, 2019
Harrison trapped Charlo in a corner briefly in the fifth and he continued to come forward on the challenger and cut off the ring in the seventh and eighth.
After mixed results in the eighth and ninth, Charlo brought out the pressure in the 10th. That set up an 11th round that saw Charlo drop Harrison once again with a counter left. Harrison got up but Charlo swarmed Harrison, who was still on wobbly legs, and dropped him once again. Charlo immediately chased down Harrison and got his back on the ropes once more, throwing until the referee ended things.
Into the championship rounds we go! 👀#HarrisonCharlo2 pic.twitter.com/kRarvl9f5D
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) December 22, 2019
LIONS ONLY! 🦁@TwinCharlo knocks down Harrison not once, but twice in Round 11 to win back his belt! #HarrisonCharlo2 pic.twitter.com/o4coEpIBwV
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) December 22, 2019
Main Card:
WBC super welterweight championship: Jermell Charlo def. (c.) Tony Harrison via TKO (Rd. 11, 2:28)
Efe Ajagba def. Iago Kiladze via TKO (corner stoppage) (Rd. 5, 2:09)
Rene Tellez Giron def. Karlos Balderas via KO (Rd. 6, 2:59)Preliminary Card:
Hugo Centeno Jr. vs. Juan Macias Montiel goes to a split draw (97-93, 94-96, 95-95)
Petr Khamukov def. Maceo Crowder via TKO (retirement) (Rd. 2, 3:00)
Oscar Escandon def. Jhack Tepora via KO (Rd. 1, 1:30)
Raymond Guajardo def. Ronnis Reed via KO (Rd. 1, 1:40)