JERMALL CHARLO WARDS OFF DEREVYANCHENKO WITH UD VICTORY

Jermall Charlo successfully defended his WBC middleweight title for the second time against former Olympian Sergiy Derevyanchenko of Ukraine with a 12-round unanimous decision at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) on Showtime Pay-per-View.

Although the judges gave wide scores in favor of Charlo, 118-110 (David Sutherland), 117-111 (Steve Weisfeld) and 116-112 (Tim Cheatham), it was not a easy fight for the Texas native. Even though Derevyanchenko's eyes were almost shut courtesy of Charlo's pinpoint jabs and rights from the early round, the Ukrainian native kept on fighting back with his relentless punching and never say die attitude that put Charlo on the defensive in the later rounds.

“He was tough, but I knew he was going to be tough," Charlo said after the fight. "I knew he’d come to fight, I just didn’t know how and when he’d try to turn it up. I felt like I never really let him turn it up and that was the game plan. I studied well and I didn’t let the pandemic affect my training. I just want to keep fighting and not let any negative interrupt the positive."

According to Compubox, Charlo connected 219 punches out of 627 thrown with 134 power shots while Derevyanchenko had 180 connects out of 681 punches thrown with 163 power punches connected.

Charlo improves his undefeated record to 31 victories with 22 knockouts while Derevyanchenko, who still failed to capture a world title in his third attempt, dropped to 13-3-0, 10KOs.