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SPORTS Monday 24 deceMber 2018

Jermall Charlo keeps title, twin Jermell loses his

By BARRY WILNER pattern on his warmup suit,
AP Sports Writer with his name and No. 7
NEW YORK (AP) — Jermall on the back. He also was
Charlo had every reason to wearing eyeglasses and a
be distracted when he en- bandanna.
tered the ring to defend his After the victory, he was
WBC interim middleweight wearing a huge smile that
championship. didn’t fade even as the
Minutes before his bout fans voiced their displea-
with Matt Korobov, Jer- sure.
mall’s twin, Jermell, lost a Now 28-2, Harrison lost his
unanimous decision to Tony previous attempt for a title
Harrison, costing Jermell his to Jarrett Hurd for the IBF
WBC super welterweight crown in 2017.
crown. It was a new experi- Charlo is 31-1.
ence for both Charlos, who Dominic Breazeale used
entered Saturday night un- a monstrous right hand to
beaten. knock out Carlos Negron
Jermall (28-0) kept up the in an action-filled heavy-
family name with a one- weight fight. Neither had
sided 12-round victory over fought in more than a year,
the game but outclassed but there was little rustiness
Korobov (27-2). once Breazeale got going
“I felt like Jermell made his after Negron controlled the
fight harder than it was,” he early rounds.
said. “I had a really tough Negron frequently land-
opponent, but he wasn’t ed left leads and had
better than me. There was Breazeale off-balance
a lot on my mind in the early. But he also was hit
ring.” enough to bleed under the
Jermall was emphatic at Tony Harrison, left, punches Jermell Charlo during the first round of the WBC super welterweight left eye and from the nose.
the finish — perhaps to championship boxing match Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in New York. Harrison won the fight. Then Breazeale took
erase any doubt with this Associated Press charge, and the knockout
set of judges. He staggered unanimous decision that keep doing what you’re pressing the action. He punch sent Negron partial-
Korobov in the middle of drew heavy boos from the doing. You’re dictating the didn’t win that fight. I’m go- ly through the ropes.
the 12th round, and they crowd of 9,177 at Barclays pace. I dictated the pace. ing to get my belts back.” Breazeale, 33, has lost
slugged it out pretty much Center. That’s what champions do. Harrison said he would give once, to Anthony Joshua
until the finish. When the verdict was an- Champions don’t just try to Charlo a rematch. for the IBF heavyweight
Jermall Charlo won 119-108 nounced, Harrison leaped knock people out. That’s “He’s a great champion,” crown 2 1-2 years ago. He’s
on one card, 116-112 on around the ring in celebra- all he wanted to do. I dic- Harrison said. “I’ve seen hoping to get back into
the other two. tion while Charlo stood in tated it. I used my jab. I dic- him in the gym, he’s a hell the championship picture
The AP had it 117-111 for disbelief. Soon after, Charlo tated the fight. That’s what of a champion. I used my as a WBC mandatory con-
Charlo over Korobov, who broke into Harrison’s inter- champions do.” ring generalship. tender for Deontay Wilder’s
was subbing for Willie Mon- view on Fox to say “You Both fighters missed dozens “Jermell, you gave me belt. Wilder was at ringside
roe Jr. after Monroe failed know I won this fight.” of punches, but they also a shot, I’ll give you a re- to see Breazeale improve
a drug test. Not according to judges landed some sharp ones match.” to 20-1 with 18 knockouts.
“I haven’t been that far in a Julie Lederman and Ron through the 12 rounds. For his fourth defense of the “I’m next in line for Deon-
fight in a couple of years. It McNair, who had it 115-113 Charlo connected with title he won by knocking out tay Wilder, I’m coming for
felt good to be in there, get for Harrison. Robin Taylor more efficiency, and he John Jackson in May 2016, him,” said Breazeale, who
hit and bang with some- scored it 116-112 for the staggered Harrison toward Charlo, 153 1/2 pounds, outweighed Negron, 30, by
one,” Jermall added. “He winner. the end of the fight. entered the ring in a black 30 1-2 pounds.
was an experienced guy The AP had it 115-113 for But it was Harrison who was robe with a lion’s head. “I’ve been waiting for him
who will make me better.” Charlo. standing with the belt at Harrison wasn’t outdone and I did what I had to do.
Earlier, Harrison withstood “I got back to my corner the end. in the costume depart- I’m ready for him now.”
a late surge by Jermell after every round,” Harrison “They took that fight from ment, though, sporting and Negron fell to 20-2. Both are
Charlo to take his title in a said. “They told me to just me,” Charlo said. “I was orange-and-black swirled former Olympians.q