By Daily Sports on December 24, 2018

Tony Harrison pulled a major upset to win a junior middleweight world title by controversially outpointing Jermell Charlo on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Harrison, in his second world title opportunity, won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 to claim the belt from Charlo, who was making his fourth title defense.

The broadcasters on the Premier Boxing Champions card on Fox – former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and famed trainer Joe Goossen – strongly disagreed with the result, as did Larry Hazzard Sr., the Fox unofficial scorer, who had Charlo winning 117-111. ESPN.com also had it 117-111 for Charlo.

“I dictated the pace. That’s what champions do,” Harrison said. “He wound up for big shots and I kept my defense tight. All we worked on was defense. I kept my composure and I did what champions do. I'm blessed. I told y’all, my family, everyone. He’s a great champion. I’ve seen him in the gym. He’s a hell of a champion. I used my ring generalship.”

Charlo’s loss derailed a world title unification fight with two-belt titleholder Jarrett Hurd, who was ringside. That fight was expected to take place in mid-2019.

“They took that fight from me,” Charlo said. “I was pressing the action. He didn’t win that fight. I'’m going to get my belts back. I still want Jarrett Hurd. I know my brother knows I won that fight. I might have given away a few rounds, but I won that fight.” Harrison said he was open to a sequel if that is what Charlo wants.

“Jermell – you gave me a shot. I’ll give you a rematch,” he told Charlo in the ring.

Charlo (31-1, 15 KOs), 28, of Houston, lost a coin flip that landed him in the co-feature while his twin brother and interim middleweight world titlist Jermall Charlo faced Matt Korobov in the main event.

The fight was largely a tactical one. Charlo was more aggressive, relied on a stiff jab and landed his straight right hand often, but Harrison counterpunched and apparently got credit.

In the 12th round, Charlo rocked Harrison with a left hook along the ropes and then landed an overhand right that forced him to hold on as Charlo closed the fight with perhaps his best round, but it was not enough to get the victory.

According to CompuBox punch statistics, Charlo landed 160 of 548 punches (29 percent) and Harrison landed 128 of 377 (34 percent).

The crowd booed loudly when the scores were announced. (ESPN)

•Photo shows Harrison and Charlo 

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 24, 2018

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