/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57151899/LR_SHO_FIGHT_NIGHT_CHARLO_VS_LUBIN_TOM_CASINO_10142017_7184.1508048739.jpg)
Jermell Charlo retained his WBC title tonight in dramatic fashion, with a crushing first round knockout of Erickson Lubin. This fight, which was thought to be the best fight on paper for tonight's Showtime card, didn't get a chance to live up to its billing. That's because Charlo would ambush Lubin at the end of the first round with a short right hand that put Lubin's lights out.
Boom. First round knockout. @TwinCharlo stops @EricksonHammerL early. #CharloLubin pic.twitter.com/LZtarw7uKv
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) October 15, 2017
The fight ended with an official time of 2:41 of Round 1.
To that point the fight had been playing out as the high-level chess match between two skilled opponents, but towards the end of the round Lubin stepped in with his head low and Charlo caught him with a hard uppercut that put Lubin out cold. Well, almost cold. Lubin would try to get up but was too badly hurt at the time to beat the count.
Lubin would appear to be just fine a few minutes later but Charlo won with a highlight reel knockout tonight. Charlo says he wants to unify with Jarrett Hurd, who also won tonight, next.