Lion-tamed: Comfortable Canelo deals with Charlo
Plus, lucky Lubin, Wallin wins and big UK dust-up
It’s fair to say that Canelo Alvarez was getting a little stale. Going through the motions against opponents he was fancied to beat, a reinvigoration was required. If the Dmitry Bivol fight showed us one thing, it’s that 168 pounds is his ceiling, and a particular style of fighting is always going to cause him issues.
Arriving with a style that had the potential to cause some problems for the fight favourite, along with a bigger frame designed to carry extra weight, Jermell Charlo was a wildcard opponent. His biggest weapon was the threat of the unknown.
Even though the undisputed king at 154 pounds had campaigned two divisions below Canelo’s current roosting branch, Charlo was an intriguing sacrifice to welcome Canelo to the PBC. As soon as the opening bell rang around the T-Mobile Arena on September 30, the intrigue ended and the slow sacrifice began.
Photo Credit: Sporting News
Before the fight, many wondered how Charlo would approach his big opportunity. In the end he showed far too much respect. Jermell has always been a slow, methodical fighter. The jab, usually a key offensive weapon, only flowed in single offerings.
In return, Canelo launched heavy body shots and sneaky left hands to the ribcage. Growing in confidence as it became clear that the economical Charlo had nothing to offer him, the Mexican four-belt champion was able to march forward and let his shots go freely.
It was pretty much one-way traffic from the start. Charlo had a better fifth but generally struggled to make an impact. Hitting the canvas in round seven did not help matters, as Canelo’s right hand regularly rattled the Texan to his foundations.
The ninth round showed how Charlo might’ve captured control of the fight in a “look what you could’ve won” twist. Plenty of jabs and purposeful lateral movement, punctuated by flurries of five and sixes, the latter of which landed. However, it was far too late, as Jermell was resigned to receiving his bus fare home rather than a top-of-the-range speedboat.
The challenger fared slightly better down the stretch as Canelo tired and accepted it would be a points win on this occasion. Both fighters remained as respectful after the contest as they had been beforehand.
The score totals were resounding. 118-109 for both Max DeLuca and David Sutherland, while Steve Weisfeld scored 119-108, all in favour of the reigning and defending unified king. Canelo improved his record to 60-2-2 (39 KOs), while Charlo slipped to 35-2-1 (19 KOs).
The podcast panel had their say on the big Vegas fight
“I love you all so much!” Canelo remarked to the Las Vegas crowd as he went on to divulge his ongoing devotion to the sport of boxing. “Nobody beats this [version of] Canelo. I’ll fight on Cinco De Mayo next.”
As for Jermell Charlo, he suggested a return to 154 (or possibly middleweight) would be on the table. “This is boxing. You win some, you lose some,” he said. “I’m about to get right back in training. I’ll fight Terence Crawford.”
On the latter, Crawford tweeted out after the fight’s conclusion that he was done with Charlo as an opponent, given the Texan’s perceived lack of desire to beat Canelo. The winner may now move on to a clash with the winner of David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade, should that fight be made in November as expected. Failing that, David Morrell or Jermall Charlo will see themselves as worthwhile future foes for the Mexican.
LUCKY LUBIN LEAVES RAMOS RUEFUL
It’s hard to know where to start with the chief supporting contest. After conceding a surprise 12-round decision to Erickson Lubin, a surprisingly unperturbed Jesus Ramos lounged in his corner and vowed to learn and come back stronger.
Lubin, meanwhile, hollered about how he was a championship contender and nobody's gatekeeper. Lying for long spells with his back to the ropes, Lubin offered his torso up to Ramos as trainer Kevin Cunningham screamed from ringside for Erickson to step into mid-ring and let combinations go, all off the back of his excellent jab. Lubin appeared to let a lot of the rounds slip by with a lethargic approach. The judges disagreed, awarding the revitalised ‘Hammer’ a much-needed victory.
END OF THE ROAD FOR UGAS AFTER BARRIOS BEATING
Midway through this crossroads battle, Showtime commentator Mauro Ranallo remarked that Yordenis Ugas’ eye was closing much like the window of his career. An apt statement. A few rounds prior to the initial swelling, Ugas hit the deck for the first time in nine years when he walked on to a powerful Mario Barrios left jab at the close of the second stanza. That surprise fall ignited some urgency into the Miami resident who responded by hurting Barrios to the body. It was only a brief act of defiance.
It was a brave yet flawed flurry. The Barrios jab was making a mess of Ugas’ face as old battle scars sustained in the Errol Spence fight swiftly returned. Ugas’ right eye was closing and his mouth seeped blood as the 38-year-old tried to implement trainer Ismael Salas’ instructions. Ugas was beaten up in the final round as the referee and doctor hovered around, keen to instigate a stoppage that the Cuban and his corner just about talked them out of.
Photo Credit: Bad Left Hook
The battered former champion lost a point for spitting out his mouthpiece and was dropped by a left hook he never saw coming, mainly due to the right eye damage. Now sporting six losses on his slate, Ugas has offered all he has to this sport and needs to consider hanging up the gloves.
ELIJAH GARCIA HAS TOO MUCH FIRE FOR RESENDIZ
Before the Elijah Garcia-Jose Armando Resendiz contest, a war was expected, and a war was duly delivered. Garcia buzzed Resendiz in round one before volunteering his services in the trenches. Garcia finally stepped off in the fifth to use his superior boxing skills and head movement, all set up behind the jab.
Coming off the back of a career-best win over Jarrett Hurd, now training with Manny Robles, Resendiz has visibly improved. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get his head out of the way, especially from Garcia’s left hand. The body attack was also working well.
After some nip-and-tuck action, Resendiz went down in round eight from a beautiful combination ending on the southpaw right hook. Rising tentatively, the 24-year-old Compostela man never looked comfortable. A follow-up Garcia flurry offered referee Tony Weeks the chance to jump in and save Resendiz from further punishment.
FOOT ON THE GASS FOR OTTO AFTER TURKEY WIN
It was the night of the unwanted heavyweights in Turkey as Otto Wallin first outmanoeuvred Murat Gassiev before just about outmanoeuvring a rogue judge to take a split-decision win. Much too small to challenge the division’s best, Gassiev is fairly flat-footed and was unable to plant his feet for long enough to trouble the Swede, who is a good boxer with southpaw smarts.
Gassiev circled, looking to let go of his right hand, while southpaw Wallin circled and jabbed off the back foot, making sure not to stay still for too long. The Gassiev swiping right hand was landing more often in the third as his corner called for greater urgency. Wallin’s punches were basic but effective. His right hook managed to offset Gassiev time and again, and the Swede took an escape route out of trouble.
Gassiev was stunned in round six with a right hand. Wallin piled on the pressure, but the hurt power puncher regained his senses. Following Otto around for the following rounds, Gassiev found a home for his shots in a fruitful 10th. It was too little, too late. While neither covered themselves in glory, Gassiev in particular poses no threat to the top heavyweights.
OPETAIA TANKS THOMPSON
If you thought that Jai Opetaia’s 2022 win over Mairis Briedis was a possible fluke, think again. The Aussie IBF king at cruiserweight talks and fights at a level of great intensity. While title challenger Jordan Thompson was attempting to jump up a few levels to avail of his big chance, the way Jai put him to the sword was impressive.
Taller Thompson gave his all but could not release an accurate left jab to deter the champion or get out of the way of Opetaia’s raking left hand. As brave as the challenger was, his corner team were even braver, allowing their man to take a pasting until Howard Foster helped a staggering Thompson back to his corner in round four. Nose gushing with blood, there was no way Jordan Thompson could’ve won the contest, and he should’ve been withdrawn much sooner.
Higher-level opponents may be able to soak up the heavy punches and find some gaps. Overcoming Opetaia’s speed and engine will be quite the problem. Complaining about the smaller ring, Opetaia’s relationship with Matchroom appears purely functional. If Eddie can deliver him Chris Billam-Smith next, then the chances are he will have another belt around his waist.
NUTHOUSE NOTES
Leigh Wood defends his WBA featherweight strap in Sheffield this Saturday against former champ Josh Warrington. It’s an easy-to-make UK dust-up as Nottingham and Leeds get together for an explosive rumble. The atmosphere will be electric, and no doubt a few scraps in the stands will accompany a bloodbath main event.
Mick Hennessy’s daughter Francesca got her pro career off to a flyer with a stoppage win. As an underappreciated promoter, Big Mick has finally found his niche helping out Ben Shalom. With both son and daughter punching for pay, Mick appears to be enjoying his new role in the sport.
Thanks for reading! Drop a little heart or even a comment if you get a minute. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Speak to you all next week…
About Steve: Experienced boxing writer, author of 8 books and podcaster of over 400 eps. 20 years in the sport. Covered hundreds of shows for newspapers and Boxing News magazine. Chief video script writer for Motivedia channel and BN+. For enquiries: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com.
I grew up on elite Americans ruling the sport. They did the impossible. Leonard, Hearns, Roy, Evander, Nunn, Toney, Hopkins, Bud….they set a high bar.
I can’t remember an undisputed champion steeping up and being so meek, passive and reluctant to impose themselves. The Charlo brand has taken a massive hit of Michael Spinks and Andy Ruiz proportions. Not only the fighter but the trainer’s stock has plummeted.
Great article Steve. Keep up the good work mate.
Opetaia would beat CBS but I think it would be a fun scrap while it lasted