Undefeated Jermall Charlo makes fourth defense of WBC middleweight title

There will be lots of titles and lots of talent in the ring in Uncasville, Connecticut on September 26th. The card is headlined by Texas’ twin, world champion Charlo brothers - Jermall WBC middleweight, and Jermell WBC/WBA/IBF world super welterweight.

The card will also include undefeated Luis Nery (30-0, 24 KO’s) going against fellow-unbeaten Aaron Alameda (25-0, 13 KO’s) for the vacant WBC world super bantamweight title. John Riel Casimero (29-4, 20 KO’s) will defend his WBO world bantamweight title against unbeaten Duke Micah (24-0, 19 KO’s). And, Brandon Figueroa (20-0-1, 15 KO’s) will defend his WBA world super bantamweight title against Damien Vazquez (15-1-1, 8 KO’s).

The card will also feature former WBA/IBF world super bantamweight champion Danny Roman, among other exciting bouts.

In one of the two main events, WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (30-0, 22 KO’s) faces battle tested Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KO’s) in defense of his world title.

While the numbers favor Charlo, a closer look shows that while Derevyanchenko is 34 years old and has two losses, they were both close fights against serious talent. Sergiy’s losses were in world title fights, bouts that he acquitted himself very well in despite much less experience than his opponents. In only his 13th bout Derevyanchenko lost a slit decision to Daniel Jacobs for the vacant IBF word middleweight title. Jacobs, a long standing, former world champion had been in six world title fights, half as many as Sergiy’s total fights. Then, just two fights later Sergiy went the distance against star Gennady Golovkin in a decision loss for the IBF and IBO world middleweight titles.

He might only have 15 fights, but he has had 2 world title fights against very good fighters and did very well in both bouts. In short, this might be a guy that Charlo shouldn’t sleep on as he might bring more to the table than one might expect.

Maxboxing caught up with Charlo trainer Ronnie Shields to get his thoughts on the upcoming bout and what he sees for his champion moving forward.

"This guy is a good fighter, he’s tough and he has done very well against some other good fighters," said Shields from his home in Houston, Texas. "I knew he would do well against (Danny) Jacobs because he has known Jacobs for years and sparred with him so much. So, style-wise I knew he would know him and do well. As Far as the GGG fight, I thought he actually won, continued Shields. “I thought it was close, but I thought Sergiy beat him."

Assuming the favored Charlo wins, when asked what Shields sees next for his champion, it’s clear they aren’t looking past this guy.

“We take things one fight at a time," said Shields. "You never want to look past the guy in front of you because you don’t get the next fight, whatever that fight is, if you don’t win," he said. "Listen Bill, Jermall could have fought anyone, this guy wasn’t a mandatory, but Jermall wanted this guy. As a champion he wants to test himself against the best guys out there and this is a tough, hungry guy and Jermall wanted him."

Pressed for a prediction, Shields expressed confidence in whichever way the bout goes for his champion.

"Jermall is in great shape and is ready to go 12 rounds. If he can get the knockout, he’d obviously be happy with that, but if it goes the distance, he’s ready to get the win that way as well, "said Shields. "Styles make fights and Jermall can adapt to any style. At the end of the day, he’s the better fighter and he’s going to show that on fight night and he’s going to win the fight."