Daniel Roman defeated Juan Carlos Payano by a unanimous decision on Saturday.
It wasn’t pretty but Daniel Roman got the job done.
Roman rallied in the late rounds to pull away from an effective Juan Carlos Payano and win a unanimous decision on the pay-per-view card Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
All three judges scored it 116-112, eight rounds to four in the 12-round junior featherweight title eliminator. Boxing Junkie had it 115-113 for Roman.
Payano, 35, had been knocked out in two of his three previous fights — against Naoya Inoue and Luis Nery — which led many to wonder what he had left.
Turns out he can still fight at a high level. For most of the fight, the Dominican boxed and moved well. He was an elusive target and threw more punches than Roman, according to ShoStats.
However, Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) picked up his intensity and pace in the latter rounds as Payano (21-4, 9 KOs) — bothered by a cut above his left eye — began to fade.
That was enough to secure a decision victory for Roman, a former unified 122-pound champ. He lost his titles to Murodjon Akhmadaliev in January.
Daniel Roman defeated Juan Carlos Payano by a unanimous decision on Saturday.
It wasn’t pretty but Daniel Roman got the job done.
Roman rallied in the late rounds to pull away from an effective Juan Carlos Payano and win a unanimous decision on the pay-per-view card Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
All three judges scored it 116-112, eight rounds to four in the 12-round junior featherweight title eliminator. Boxing Junkie had it 115-113 for Roman.
Payano, 35, had been knocked out in two of his three previous fights — against Naoya Inoue and Luis Nery — which led many to wonder what he had left.
Turns out he can still fight at a high level. For most of the fight, the Dominican boxed and moved well. He was an elusive target and threw more punches than Roman, according to ShoStats.
However, Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) picked up his intensity and pace in the latter rounds as Payano (21-4, 9 KOs) — bothered by a cut above his left eye — began to fade.
That was enough to secure a decision victory for Roman, a former unified 122-pound champ. He lost his titles to Murodjon Akhmadaliev in January.
Jermall Charlo defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko by a unanimous decision Saturday night.
If comparisons mean anything, Jermall Charlo made a nice statement on Saturday night.
Charlo didn’t have an easy time with Sergiy Derevyanchenko – who does? – but he defeated the rough, experienced Ukrainian more convincingly than middleweight rivals Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin did.
Charlo won a clear decision by scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112 for Charlo.
“I did what I was supposed to do,” Charlo said. “I went in there and executed my game plan. … It was supposed to be my biggest test and I passed the test. I’m happy.
“Now I’ll go back to the drawing board and figure out what’s next.”
The most-effective punch in the fight probably was Charlo’s jab, which generally kept Derevyanchenko at a safe distance and set up power shots throughout the fight.
Derevyanchenko, as relentless as ever, worked his way inside – and landed hard punches – enough to make the fight competitive. However, Charlo weathered all storms and even did his own damage when they exchanged shots inside.
Jermall Charlo (left) kept Sergiy Derevyanchenko at his distance most of the fight. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
And if you glanced at the faces of the fighters afterward, you’d think that Charlo won easily. Derevyanchenko suffered a cut above his right eye in Round 5 and his left was almost completely closed by the end of the fight.
That was testament to the work of Charlo, who never badly hurt Derevyanchenko but stunned in a few times in the fight and landed consistently throughout.
Also, Charlo punched accurately. He landed 35 percent of his punches overall (219 of 627), according to ShoBox stats. However, he connected on an impressive 41 percent of his power shots (134 of 328).
The performance probably wouldn’t be described as spectacular – he would’ve need a knockout or a knockdown or two – but it was convincing. It certainly was the most impressive of his six fights at middleweight when you consider the opponent.
“I knew it was going to be tough,” he said. “I knew he’d come to fight. I just didn’t know … when he would turn it up but I never felt like I let him turn it up. I was sticking to my game plan. … I used my jab, stayed behind my jab. I got away from it sometimes but [trainer] Ronnie Shields got me back to it.
“I did want to knock him out, to make a statement, but getting the victory, shutting him out (winning a unanimous decision), was statement enough.”
Charlo, who successfully defended a secondary title in the fight, was asked afterward what he believes might come next.
He didn’t have much to say, changing the topic to a more-pressing issue: His twin brother, Jermell, was preparing to fight Jeison Rosario in the second half of the pay-per-view doubleheader.
“My brother is next,” he said. “That’s on my mind now.”
Make no mistake, though: Charlo is on the minds of his fellow 160-pounders and fans more than ever after Saturday night.
Jermall Charlo defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko by a unanimous decision Saturday night.
If comparisons mean anything, Jermall Charlo made a nice statement on Saturday night.
Charlo didn’t have an easy time with Sergiy Derevyanchenko – who does? – but he defeated the rough, experienced Ukrainian more convincingly than middleweight rivals Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin did.
Charlo won a clear decision by scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112 for Charlo.
“I did what I was supposed to do,” Charlo said. “I went in there and executed my game plan. … It was supposed to be my biggest test and I passed the test. I’m happy.
“Now I’ll go back to the drawing board and figure out what’s next.”
The most-effective punch in the fight probably was Charlo’s jab, which generally kept Derevyanchenko at a safe distance and set up power shots throughout the fight.
Derevyanchenko, as relentless as ever, worked his way inside – and landed hard punches – enough to make the fight competitive. However, Charlo weathered all storms and even did his own damage when they exchanged shots inside.
Jermall Charlo (left) kept Sergiy Derevyanchenko at his distance most of the fight. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
And if you glanced at the faces of the fighters afterward, you’d think that Charlo won easily. Derevyanchenko suffered a cut above his right eye in Round 5 and his left was almost completely closed by the end of the fight.
That was testament to the work of Charlo, who never badly hurt Derevyanchenko but stunned in a few times in the fight and landed consistently throughout.
Also, Charlo punched accurately. He landed 35 percent of his punches overall (219 of 627), according to ShoBox stats. However, he connected on an impressive 41 percent of his power shots (134 of 328).
The performance probably wouldn’t be described as spectacular – he would’ve need a knockout or a knockdown or two – but it was convincing. It certainly was the most impressive of his six fights at middleweight when you consider the opponent.
“I knew it was going to be tough,” he said. “I knew he’d come to fight. I just didn’t know … when he would turn it up but I never felt like I let him turn it up. I was sticking to my game plan. … I used my jab, stayed behind my jab. I got away from it sometimes but [trainer] Ronnie Shields got me back to it.
“I did want to knock him out, to make a statement, but getting the victory, shutting him out (winning a unanimous decision), was statement enough.”
Charlo, who successfully defended a secondary title in the fight, was asked afterward what he believes might come next.
He didn’t have much to say, changing the topic to a more-pressing issue: His twin brother, Jermell, was preparing to fight Jeison Rosario in the second half of the pay-per-view doubleheader.
“My brother is next,” he said. “That’s on my mind now.”
Make no mistake, though: Charlo is on the minds of his fellow 160-pounders and fans more than ever after Saturday night.
Brandon Figueroa stopped Damien Vazquez in the 10th round of a scheduled 12-round junior featherweight on fight Saturday.
Brandon Figueroa demonstrated again the damage that can result from relentless pressure.
Figueroa started punching at the opening bell and never stopped, ultimately beating up Damien Vazquez and stopping him in Round 10 of their junior featherweight bout in the pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Vazquez had some success early in the bout, boxing well behind his jab from a distance. However, Figueroa, never deterred, plowed forward did more and more damage to both the head and body as the fight progressed.
By the eighth round, Vazquez’s right eye was cut and closed, and he seemed to be wilting.
That round and the ninth were particularly brutal, as Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs) seemed to land almost at will and Vazquez (15-2-1, 8 KOs) delivered little in return.
After Round 9, the ring doctor, obviously concerned for Vazquez’s welfare, said, “Show me something. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Still, Figueroa continued the onslaught until the referee stopped the fight at 1:18 of Round 10.
Figueroa, defending a secondary junior featherweight title, hadn’t fought since a split draw with Julio Ceja in November.
Vazquez, only 23, is now 1-2-1 in his last four fights.
Brandon Figueroa stopped Damien Vazquez in the 10th round of a scheduled 12-round junior featherweight on fight Saturday.
Brandon Figueroa demonstrated again the damage that can result from relentless pressure.
Figueroa started punching at the opening bell and never stopped, ultimately beating up Damien Vazquez and stopping him in Round 10 of their junior featherweight bout in the pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Vazquez had some success early in the bout, boxing well behind his jab from a distance. However, Figueroa, never deterred, plowed forward did more and more damage to both the head and body as the fight progressed.
By the eighth round, Vazquez’s right eye was cut and closed, and he seemed to be wilting.
That round and the ninth were particularly brutal, as Figueroa (21-0-1, 16 KOs) seemed to land almost at will and Vazquez (15-2-1, 8 KOs) delivered little in return.
After Round 9, the ring doctor, obviously concerned for Vazquez’s welfare, said, “Show me something. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Still, Figueroa continued the onslaught until the referee stopped the fight at 1:18 of Round 10.
Figueroa, defending a secondary junior featherweight title, hadn’t fought since a split draw with Julio Ceja in November.
Vazquez, only 23, is now 1-2-1 in his last four fights.
John Riel Casimero stopped game, but overmatched challenger Duke Micah in the third round on the pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday.
John Riel Casimero made a strong statement in his U.S. television debut.
The bantamweight titleholder stopped game, but overmatched challenger Duke Micah in the third round on the pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
The fighters wasted no time getting at it, as the pace was fast from the opening bell.
Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) seized control of the fight with a left hook that put Micah (24-1, 19 KOs) down about a minute into Round 2.
The Ghanaian, hurt badly, showed tremendous courage to survive the rest of the round — and actually fight back with some ferocity — but the end was near.
Casimero continued to pound the challenger in the third round, finally landed a left uppercut followed by a right uppercut that prompted the referee to stop the fight.
The official time was 54 seconds into Round 3.
Casimero hadn’t fought for since last November, when he stopped Zolani Tete to win his title. The Filipino now has six consecutive knockouts.
John Riel Casimero stopped game, but overmatched challenger Duke Micah in the third round on the pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday.
John Riel Casimero made a strong statement in his U.S. television debut.
The bantamweight titleholder stopped game, but overmatched challenger Duke Micah in the third round on the pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
The fighters wasted no time getting at it, as the pace was fast from the opening bell.
Casimero (30-4, 21 KOs) seized control of the fight with a left hook that put Micah (24-1, 19 KOs) down about a minute into Round 2.
The Ghanaian, hurt badly, showed tremendous courage to survive the rest of the round — and actually fight back with some ferocity — but the end was near.
Casimero continued to pound the challenger in the third round, finally landed a left uppercut followed by a right uppercut that prompted the referee to stop the fight.
The official time was 54 seconds into Round 3.
Casimero hadn’t fought for since last November, when he stopped Zolani Tete to win his title. The Filipino now has six consecutive knockouts.
Jermell Charlo seems to be well prepared for his title-unification showdown against Jeison Rosario on Saturday night.
Jermell Charlo is a two-time junior middleweight titleholder with victories over Vanes Martirosyan, Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout and Tony Harrison, among other well-known victims. He stopped the slick, experienced Harrison in the 11th round of his most-recent fight to avenge his only loss and regain his belt.
That’s an impressive resume. Yet Charlo doesn’t get the respect of fans and pundits that he feels he has earned. Why? He said it’s because people compare him to his predecessors, stars like Canelo Alvarez.
That’s a tough standard to live up to but Charlo believes he’s on his way.
The victory over Harrison was the biggest step in the process. The next – even bigger than the last – is his title-unification showdown with Jeison Rosario on a two-part pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
“I think a victory in this fight gives me the respect I deserve,” Charlo told Boxing Junkie. “… I got my title back with a dominant win, with a knockout. I think a victory [on Saturday] takes me to the next level.
“This is a big moment. The [victory over Harrison] is in the past now. I want to finish what I started. I want to conquer all the belts.”
Jermell Charlo is as intense in interviews as he is in the ring. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) and his team understand that won’t be easy.
Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs) is an unusually strong, skillful fighter who is coming off a dazzling upset of veteran Julian Williams this past Jan. 18, which ended dramatically in the fifth round. The Dominican looked sensational that night.
Derrick James, Charlo’s trainer, called Rosario “a complete fighter,” which is the ultimate compliment in boxing.
Charlo says he’s ready for the challenge and no one who has followed his career doubt his preparation. He hasn’t fought since the victory over Harrison in December – nine months ago – but he went directly into the gym he built inside his Houston home and hasn’t left since.
James said his protege arrived to start training camp for the Rosario fight “already in great shape.”
And it’s clear that he’s in a good place mentally. He believes he was cheated by the decision in the first fight with Harrison, who won by a close, but unanimous decision. He fought like a man possessed in the rematch, determined to show the judges what he thought of them and the world what he could do.
Harrison went down once in the second round and twice in 11th before the fight was stopped. Charlo walked out of the ring with his belt and overflowing with confidence.
“I learned so much from those two fights,” he said. “They taught me to be who I am. I learned in the first fight that you don’t let 12 rounds expire before you get what you want. The loss gave me jet fuel, turned me into the monster that I am.
“Now it’s time to get Rosario out of there.”
Charlo (right) stopped Tony Harrison in their rematch. Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
James hesitated to trot out the best-camp-of-my-life cliché but said the same thing in different words: “This is one [camp] I really loved.”
“The focus from Jermell is higher than ever because of the magnitude of this fight, the opponent himself and what’s at stake,” he said. “He was already in great shape when we got to camp. So we’ve just built off of that from the start.
“We’re building off of the last fight. We’re reconstructing some things and he’s looking really good. He’s got his mind right, and he knows that what we’re working on will help him in the fight.
“From the first time I started training Jermell, he wanted to be in this position. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. He wants all the belts, so it’s beautiful to see his dreams manifest. It’ll all come together on September 26.”
Charlo was asked how he thinks the fight might go but didn’t answer directly, saying only that he’ll adjust to whatever Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs) throws at him.
The key for Charlo is that he has no doubt whatsoever that he’s ready physically, mentally and emotionally to handle anything he encounters in the ring. That, he said, will be obvious after the opening bell rings on Saturday night.
“Me and my brother have come so far together,” he said. “It’s not just in boxing, but everything in our lives. We’re proof that all you have to do is keep pushing and trying. September 26 is the day that I have to make all of the time I put into this sport worth it.
“… All I’m doing is continuing to grow as an individual every day. We have to set our minds the right way and know how to roll with the punches. I’ve taken it upon myself to be even more dedicated and focused.
“Every time I feel pain, I think about all the other boxers out there pushing through pain. Now you see where we’re at because of it.”
Jermell Charlo seems to be well prepared for his title-unification showdown against Jeison Rosario on Saturday night.
Jermell Charlo is a two-time junior middleweight titleholder with victories over Vanes Martirosyan, Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout and Tony Harrison, among other well-known victims. He stopped the slick, experienced Harrison in the 11th round of his most-recent fight to avenge his only loss and regain his belt.
That’s an impressive resume. Yet Charlo doesn’t get the respect of fans and pundits that he feels he has earned. Why? He said it’s because people compare him to his predecessors, stars like Canelo Alvarez.
That’s a tough standard to live up to but Charlo believes he’s on his way.
The victory over Harrison was the biggest step in the process. The next – even bigger than the last – is his title-unification showdown with Jeison Rosario on a two-part pay-per-view doubleheader Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
“I think a victory in this fight gives me the respect I deserve,” Charlo told Boxing Junkie. “… I got my title back with a dominant win, with a knockout. I think a victory [on Saturday] takes me to the next level.
“This is a big moment. The [victory over Harrison] is in the past now. I want to finish what I started. I want to conquer all the belts.”
Jermell Charlo is as intense in interviews as he is in the ring. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) and his team understand that won’t be easy.
Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs) is an unusually strong, skillful fighter who is coming off a dazzling upset of veteran Julian Williams this past Jan. 18, which ended dramatically in the fifth round. The Dominican looked sensational that night.
Derrick James, Charlo’s trainer, called Rosario “a complete fighter,” which is the ultimate compliment in boxing.
Charlo says he’s ready for the challenge and no one who has followed his career doubt his preparation. He hasn’t fought since the victory over Harrison in December – nine months ago – but he went directly into the gym he built inside his Houston home and hasn’t left since.
James said his protege arrived to start training camp for the Rosario fight “already in great shape.”
And it’s clear that he’s in a good place mentally. He believes he was cheated by the decision in the first fight with Harrison, who won by a close, but unanimous decision. He fought like a man possessed in the rematch, determined to show the judges what he thought of them and the world what he could do.
Harrison went down once in the second round and twice in 11th before the fight was stopped. Charlo walked out of the ring with his belt and overflowing with confidence.
“I learned so much from those two fights,” he said. “They taught me to be who I am. I learned in the first fight that you don’t let 12 rounds expire before you get what you want. The loss gave me jet fuel, turned me into the monster that I am.
“Now it’s time to get Rosario out of there.”
Charlo (right) stopped Tony Harrison in their rematch. Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
James hesitated to trot out the best-camp-of-my-life cliché but said the same thing in different words: “This is one [camp] I really loved.”
“The focus from Jermell is higher than ever because of the magnitude of this fight, the opponent himself and what’s at stake,” he said. “He was already in great shape when we got to camp. So we’ve just built off of that from the start.
“We’re building off of the last fight. We’re reconstructing some things and he’s looking really good. He’s got his mind right, and he knows that what we’re working on will help him in the fight.
“From the first time I started training Jermell, he wanted to be in this position. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. He wants all the belts, so it’s beautiful to see his dreams manifest. It’ll all come together on September 26.”
Charlo was asked how he thinks the fight might go but didn’t answer directly, saying only that he’ll adjust to whatever Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KOs) throws at him.
The key for Charlo is that he has no doubt whatsoever that he’s ready physically, mentally and emotionally to handle anything he encounters in the ring. That, he said, will be obvious after the opening bell rings on Saturday night.
“Me and my brother have come so far together,” he said. “It’s not just in boxing, but everything in our lives. We’re proof that all you have to do is keep pushing and trying. September 26 is the day that I have to make all of the time I put into this sport worth it.
“… All I’m doing is continuing to grow as an individual every day. We have to set our minds the right way and know how to roll with the punches. I’ve taken it upon myself to be even more dedicated and focused.
“Every time I feel pain, I think about all the other boxers out there pushing through pain. Now you see where we’re at because of it.”
