Jermall Charlo Stops Thomas LaManna with 6th-Round TKO

Jermall Charlo, a former two-division world champion, returned after an 18-month hiatus to face Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna in a 10-round super middleweight co-main event at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas; the event was streamed on Prime Video. The 12,000-strong crowd, energized by the evening’s headliner featuring Caleb Plant vs Jose Armando Resendiz, sensed the stakes for Charlo, who entered with a pristine 33-0 (22 KOs) record and a burning desire to reassert himself as a title contender. LaManna, a 33-year-old from Belleville, New Jersey, carried a 39-5-1 (18 KOs) ledger and a nine-fight win streak, his confidence buoyed by a recent second-round TKO over Noe Alejandro Lopez. The fight, a stepping stone toward a potential grudge match with Plant, ended decisively when Charlo’s relentless pressure forced a doctor’s stoppage at the start of the sixth round, moving his record to 34-0 (23 KOs) and dropping LaManna to 39-6-1 (18 KOs). The victory showcased Charlo’s enduring power and set the stage for bigger battles, though Plant’s unexpected loss later that night altered the anticipated trajectory.

Charlo’s performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression, his boxer-puncher style overwhelming LaManna from the opening bell. Standing at 6 feet with a 73.5-inch reach, Charlo used his jab to dictate range, landing piercing shots that reddened LaManna’s nose by the second round. His orthodox stance and crisp combinations targeted both head and body, with a focus on breaking down LaManna’s guard.

LaManna, also 6 feet with an identical reach, attempted to establish his own jab and land body shots, but his slower footwork and defensive lapses left him vulnerable. Charlo landed a sharp right-hand counter and a check hook in the second round. “Charlo was sharper than I expected,” LaManna admitted post-fight, acknowledging the Texan’s precision.

The third round marked a turning point, as Charlo’s power began to tell. A blistering overhand right caught LaManna flush, sending him to the canvas for the first of three knockdowns. LaManna, showing resilience, beat the count but was forced into survival mode, clinching to avoid further damage. Charlo’s pressure was relentless, his uppercuts and body shots sapping LaManna’s energy. “He’s a two-time world champion for a reason,” LaManna later said, crediting Charlo’s heavy jab. In the fourth, Charlo landed a left hook that appeared to buckle LaManna’s knee, though the referee did not rule it a knockdown. By the fifth, Charlo’s combinations were overwhelming, with a straight right dropping LaManna again and a stiff jab staggering him as the round closed. The ringside doctor, observing LaManna’s unsteady legs and reddened face, advised the stoppage before the sixth round began, a decision that spared LaManna further punishment but ended his upset bid.

At 35, moving up to 168 pounds for his super middleweight debut, Charlo aimed to position himself for a shot at undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez, a fight long discussed but previously taken by his brother Jermell. “I’m reaching my prime as a late bloomer,” Charlo told The Ring, emphasizing his physical preservation despite past challenges. LaManna, despite the loss, showed heart, his nine-fight win streak a testament to his recent resurgence. However, his 46% knockout ratio paled in comparison to Charlo’s 67%, and his limited success against elite opponents, as evidenced by a 2021 TKO loss to Erislandy Lara, highlighted the gap in class.

Charlo’s TKO was a reminder of his pedigree as a former IBF super welterweight and WBC middleweight champion, with wins over Julian Williams and Sergiy Derevyanchenko. However, the fight exposed areas for refinement, as Charlo’s showboating suggested overconfidence against a lesser opponent. LaManna’s post-fight reflection, “I did the best I could,” captured his effort but underscored Charlo’s dominance. Still, the upset loss of Caleb Plant in the main event scuttled plans for a Charlo-Plant showdown.