Tim Tszyu gets his wish as Jermell Charlo makes boxing history in epic rematch

Jermell Charlo has made a huge statement with an emphatic victory in his highly-anticipated world title rematch with Brian Castano.

CARSON, CA - MAY 14: Jermell Charlo (gold/red shorts) knocks down Brian Castano (white/pink shorts) during their super middleweight title fight at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 14, 2022 in Carson, California. Charlo won by knockout in the 10th round. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Jermell Charlo is the undisputed king of the super welterweight division after he defeated Brian Castano in an epic rematch on Sunday (AEST).

The pair’s first fight ended in a draw last year and Charlo was out to make a statement when he took on Castano for the second time in California.

Watch Charlo vs Castano 2 LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sun 15th May from 11am AEST. ORDER NOW >

It was a thrilling back-and-forth battle fitting of its blockbuster status as Charlo and Castano traded blows in the opening rounds.

There was nothing in it halfway through the fight as fans pondered if it could be headed to another draw.

But Charlo upped the ante in the seventh round and Castano couldn’t quite go with him as he copped a barrage of blows but somehow pushed on.

Main Event commentator Ben Damon tweeted: “This is an outstanding fight! Brian Castano’s chin is not of this world!”

This was the left hook that won Charlo the fight.

Brian Castano was left dazed in the 10th round. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Charlo went for the kill in the 10th round and a brutal left hook to Castano’s temple was the decisive blow as the Argentine was left dazed and fell to the canvas.

Castano barely survived the standing eight count but he only lasted a few more seconds as another heavy shot from Charlo knocked him down and the referee stopped the fight.

Charlo was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards (87-84, 88-83 and 89-82) at the time of his KO in the 10th round.

It was an emphatic result for the American, whose status as the king of the 154-pound division came under question following his draw with Castano.

Charlo now holds the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super welterweight belts.

He joins an illustrious list featuring Bernard Hopkings, Jermain Taylor, Terence Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk, Josh Taylor and Canelo Alvarez as the only undisputed male champions in the four-belt era.

That's how you leave no doubt and silence the critics.

Jermell Charlo is THE man in a loaded 154-pound division and among the 10 best pound-for-pound in the world. #CharloCastano2

— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) May 15, 2022

Jermell Charlo does it! Short shot on the inside crumbles Brian Castano and then Charlo finishes him off to win the undisputed 154-pound championship in an instant classic! #CharloCastano2

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) May 15, 2022

Tim Tszyu is the mandatory challenger for the WBO world title and has made no secret Charlo would be his preferred opponent, partly because he is a bigger name and has repeatedly dismissed the Australian.

The 27-year-old has repeatedly made it clear he wants his next fight to be for a world title and travelled to the US to watch the bout ringside and eyeball Charlo and Castano in person.

Jermell Charlo is the undisputed king of the super welterweight division. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

“I’m hoping Charlo wins, just because I’d love to fight him and smack him out,” Tszyu told Showtime before the fight.

He then tweeted after the fight: “Great fight and great win for Charlo. Ready when you are @TwinCharlo.”

Australian boxer Billy Dib tweeted: “Wow what a finish by Charlo.

“Tim Tszyu is the mandatory challenger for the winner of this match-up.”

Hopefully it’s @TwinCharlo v @Tim_Tszyu next #CharloTszyu#undisputed

— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) May 15, 2022

Incredible finish.

Charlo vs Tszyu later in the year. #CharloCastano2

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) May 15, 2022

“This is legacy,” Charlo said after his victory.

“This is something that is legendary. I’m a legend. Thank god. I ain’t done, dog. I might move up to 160 (pounds) and see if I can do it again.”

But the 31-year-old was coy when asked what he had planned next in his boxing career.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do next,” Charlo said.