Jermall Charlo stepped into the ring for the first time in 18 months and took care of Thomas LaManna with a TKO (6th round).
Early on Charlo (34-0) worked behind his jab. LaManna’s lack of movement and inactive nature made him an easy target to find.
Charlo knocked LaManna (39-6-1) to the canvas in the third round with an overhand right. LaManna’s response was more verbal than anything else.
LaManna was hurt again in the fourth on a left hand that was ruled a knockdown via review in between rounds.
Charlo fought with more energy in the fifth. He stalked LaManna around the ring, sending him to the canvas once again.
The ring doctor stopped the fight in between the fifth and sixth rounds.
Takeaway:
It would have been nice to see Charlo fight a more active opponent, but the layoff meant he needed a safe landing spot. Because of that, Charlo was never pressed and, to be honest was never required to be active. It was almost like he was too comfortable.
Charlo’s corner asked for more activity in between rounds, going so far as calling him “lazy.”
Charlo will need another warm-up fight before getting into the ring with a more seasoned opponent.
