Jermall Charlo Retains WBC Title Against Sergiy Derevyanchenko
Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko is in the books.
On Saturday night, September 26, Charlo put the WBC Middleweight Championship on the line against Derevyanchenko. Going into the fight, many expected this to be Charlo’s toughest test yet. He entered the title defense with a perfect pro boxing record of 30-0.
Derevyanchenko had been known for giving Gennadiy Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs tough fights. While Derevyanchenko dropped both bouts via decision, there’s no denying that he hasn’t been an easy out for anybody.
Charlo established his jab early in the fight. He was using the jab to keep Derevyanchenko at bay and set up the right hand. Derevyanchenko was able to avoid a first-round knockdown, something that plagued him in title fights against Golovkin and Jacobs.
Charlo was looking to counter with the left hooks in the third round. He looked for the uppercut but it was blocked. Derevyanchenko utilized his footwork and opened up more with punches. Charlo kept having success with his jab. Derevyanchenko landed a left hook to the body but ate two left hands in his effort to close the distance. Charlo wobbled Derevyanchenko at the end of the round with a right hand.
Derevyanchenko was cut around the eye in the fifth round thanks to Charlo’s jab. Derevyanchenko did a better job closing the distance in this round, landing more punches upstairs and to the body. It was clear that Derevyanchenko took notice of his cut near the end of the round.
In the eighth round, Derevyanchenko hurt Charlo with a body shot. Charlo bit down on his mouthpiece and returned fire. A right cross from Charlo buckled the knee of Derevyanchenko momentarily to end the round.
Deveryanchenko fought hard all the way to the final round but Charlo seemed to be a step ahead. This can be credited with Charlo’s ability to keep his distance just enough to lessen the effectiveness of his opponent’s inside game.
The bout went the distance and Charlo was awarded the unanimous decision win. As a result, he retained the WBC Middleweight Title. His record improves to 31-0.