Charlo knocks out Cota in third round

Jermell Charlo caught Jorge Cota, then finished him quickly.

Former junior middleweight titleholder Jermell Charlo was hoping to take the WBC title back tonight in a rematch with Tony Harrison, but when Harrison pulled out due to injury, Jorge Cota stepped in.

Charlo (32-1, 16 KO) felt things out for a couple of rounds, then caught Cota (28-4, 25 KO) with a right hand that put the Mexican down in the third round. Cota got up, but was pretty clearly out on his feet, and referee Jay Nady sent him back into the fray anyway.

Charlo followed up with a massive clean right hand that put Cota down and out at

It ultimately amounts to a stay-busy fight for Charlo, but it beats a long absence, and he did the job that was in front of him.

Joey Spencer UD-6 Akeem Black

Spencer (8-0, 6 KO) is a 19-year-old junior middleweight prospect that the PBC brass are very high on. He’s gone the distance in both of his last two and not been particularly impressive either time, at least for me. He’s a decent prospect, but I wouldn’t class him a blue chipper or anything. Black (5-3, 2 KO) gave him some work in this one. Scores were 59-55 across the board, but it was a fight closer than the scores, even if it’s not controversial that Spencer won or anything. Black had a terrific fourth round and was competitive in every round.