“The Harrison and Castano rematches illustrate one of Charlo’s greatest merits: he seeks rematches immediately and he is lethal in them. Strategy can explain that to a degree and certainly accounts for much of Charlo’s success in his second crack at Castano. In their first fight, Castano forced Charlo into exchanges and used them to land shorter punches on the inside. Charlo showed greater discipline in the rematch: he pumped his piercing jab to keep Castano at a manageable range and, rather than allow himself to be backed to the ropes, he moved laterally when Castano closed. But when Castano worked inside, when he caught Charlo on the ropes, when he scored with his left hook, his overhand right, Charlo fired back with full conviction in his power and a palpable disdain for his opponent.”

Read The Lion’s Only: Jermell Charlo Rules the Junior Middleweight Division on Hannibal Boxing.

“Maybe they thought him too green, too inexperienced, susceptible to the pressure of the moment and its greater expectations. Maybe they looked at his record, the paltry eleven knockouts in nineteen fights, and thought him sufficiently harmless; or they saw in the simplicity of his style a rudimentary riddle, one less dynamic, less dangerous than others their fighter had solved. He had a title though, this inexperienced, somewhat simple fighter, and a reputation for inaction that offset his success. Maybe that is all the justification they needed: such was the strength of their belief in their fighter, their devotion to him. Maybe it blinded them.”

Read Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: Dmitrii Bivol Dominates Saul Alvarez on Hannibal Boxing.

“If stardom awaits Stevenson, 18-0 (9), so must a new division (or two). There is little for Stevenson to prove at 130 pounds. He would need two fights to collect the two remaining titles in the division, but the time Stevenson likely requires to secure those belts (while defending his own) would be wasted. Spare Kenichi Ogawa and Robert Gutierrez; let each suffer no worse than a hypothetical defeat. Lightweight is where Stevenson will meet his first stern test—and with it, the opportunity to be something better than dominant.”

Read Dominance Absent Danger: Shakur Stevenson Routes Oscar Valdez on Hannibal Boxing.