On September 26th, 2020, Jermell Charlo knocked out Jeison Rosario in the 8th round of their contest at the Mohgan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA, to become the new king at 154lbs.
Click here to see our full list of Junior Middleweight Lineal World Champions, from 1963 – Present.
The Lineal Champions and fights in which the Championship changed hands are listed, along with supporting information/references, explaining how Championship vacancies have been created and filled.
@LinealBoxChamp
…
In 1962, both Denny Moyer and Emile Griffith claimed titles in the new 154lbs weight class, but it was Moyer who went on to establish himself as the division’s first true ruler. Sandro Mazzinghi won the Championship in 1963, then became the first to regain it, five years later, in 1968.
Pound-for-pound ace Sugar Ray Leonard briefly passed through the weight class in 1981, and when he moved back to Welterweight, KO artist Tommy Hearns blitzed Panamanian legend Roberto Duran inside 2 rounds to fill the vacancy. This century, many of the sport’s elite pugilists, such as Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Winky Wright, and Floyd Mayweather, have all won the Junior Middleweight crown.
On Saturday night in USA, Jermell Charlo KO’d Rosario to become the “top dog” at 154lbs. Forget belts, his victory over his top-rated rival means he is the true Champion of the division. The Lineal Champion.
The Crown had been vacant since Floyd Mayweather retired 5 years ago, but it’s been 15 years since a natural 154 pounder (Winky Wright) bossed the division. Charlo is a breath of fresh air. Relatively young, at 30 years of age, and possessing an exciting, explosive ring style, and a likable personality that endears him to the fans. 5’11”, Charlo is a full blown, legitimate Junior Middleweight. Added to this, there is a string of quality rivals, from Julian Williams and Jarrett Hurd in the USA, to Brazilian Patrick Teixeira, and rising star, Tim Tszyu from Australia - all of which would make for interesting fights against the new champion.
It’s safe to say, the Junior Middleweight division is red hot right now.
Photo credit: Jermell Charlo/Instagram