WHAT: Saturday’s CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER main events featuring the world champion Charlo twins will air on SHOWTIME this Saturday, October 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo passed his toughest test to date with high marks, earning a skilled and disciplined unanimous decision victory over Sergiy Derevyanchenko while twin brother Jermell Charlo unified the WBC, WBA and IBF 154-pound titles with a spectacular knockout against Jeison Rosario.

Watch the Jermall Charlo-Derevyanchenko video recap HERE: https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1310030527303487496?s=20

Watch the Jermell Charlo-Rosario KO HERE: https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1310088074471321600

WBC Middleweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Jermall Charlo – 159 ¾ lbs.

Sergiy Derevyanchenko – 159 ½ lbs.

Referee: Harvey Dock (New Jersey); Judges: David Sutherland (Oklahoma), Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey), Tim Cheatham (Las Vegas)

WBA Super Bantamweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Brandon Figueroa – 122 lbs.

Damien Vazquez – 121 ½ lbs.

Referee: Gary Rosato (Pennsylvania); Judges: John McKaie (New York), Glenn Feldman (Connecticut), Don Trella (Connecticut)

WBO Bantamweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

John Riel Casimero – 117 ¾ lbs.

Duke Micah – 117 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Steve Willis (New York); Judges: Julie Lederman (New York), John McKaie (New York), Tim Cheatham (Las Vegas)

WBC, WBA and IBF 154-pound Unification Bout – 12 Rounds

Jermell Charlo – 153 ¾ lbs.

Jeison Rosario – 153 ½ lbs.

Referee: Harvey Dock (New Jersey); Judges: Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey), Glenn Feldman (Connecticut) John McKaie (New York)

WBC Vacant Super Bantamweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Luis Nery – 121 ½ lbs.

Aaron Alameda – 121 ½ lbs.

Referee: Michael Ortega (Connecticut); Judges: Tom Carusone (Connecticut), Don Ackerman (New York), Julie Lederman (New York)

WBC Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds

Danny Roman – 121 ¼ lbs.

Juan Carlos Payano – 121 ½ lbs.

Referee: John Callas (Connecticut); Judges: Don Trella (Connecticut), David Sutherland (Oklahoma), Kevin Morgan (New York)

The announce team for the SHOWTIME PPV telecast is comprised of the most experienced and decorated boxing team on television. Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer is the host. Versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo handles blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and four-time world champion Abner Mares. Two Hall of Famers round out the telecast team: boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer, and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. In addition, former world champion Raúl Marquez and sportscaster Alejandro Luna serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

The executive producer of the SHOWTIME PPV telecast is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The director is Bob Dunphy, son of legendary Hall of Famer Don Dunphy. The pair has been guiding SHOWTIME Sports’ flagship series SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® since its inception in 1986 and has produced the three highest-grossing pay-per-view events of all time (Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-McGregor, Mayweather-Canelo).

The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions. The Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario match is co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

By Norm Frauenheim–

It’s an intriguing weekend. Jermell and Jermall Charlo, maybe the most interesting brothers since the Klitschkos, are on one card, each in title fights.

Yuniel Dorticos and Mairis Briedis fight in a cruiserweight final of a concept, the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), that somehow is back during a Pandemic that has made so much else oh-so forgettable. Josh Taylor is back for the first time in 11 months in a mandatory defense against challenger Apinun Khongsong in a London bout that could set up a long-awaited junior-welterweight showdown with Jose Ramirez.

It’s a loaded Saturday that tempts those of us – most of us – outside of the bubble to take a look. Maybe this is it, the moment when boxing begins to show it is ready to come out from behind closed doors and back under the marquee lights.

Hope springs eternal these days.

Then again, feints do, too.

Start with the Charlos, twins separated by only a vowel and six pounds. Jermell (33-1, 17 KOs) hopes to add Jeison Rosario’s (20-1-1, 14 KOs) two belts to his own, the World Council’s 154-pound belt. Jermall (30-0, 22 KOs) defends his WBC 160-pound belt against Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs).

The Charlos are a good story. But they’re not a pay-per-view story. Not during a Pandemic or before one. Post-Pandemic, maybe.  Even before Covid, their evolving careers were short of a major bout and name recognition. Nevertheless, a PPV tag, $74.95, has been attached to their featured bouts on a Showtime card (7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT) from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Will anybody pay to watch? Put it this way: Not many have been watching bubble bouts without the PPV price tag. Blame the economy. There’s not much disposable income. No stimulus from a deadlocked Congress, either. Fan interest has declined as much as the household budget. Fewer and fewer fans are watching.

There wasn’t much marketing momentum last Saturday in Showtime’s telecast of Erickson Lubin’s dull victory over Terrell Gausha. According to Nelsen, ratings for the Lubin-Gausha-featured card averaged 116,000 viewers. It peaked at 122,000, the smallest since Showtime resumed its boxing schedule August 1.

The trend seems to say — make that scream — for a couple of terrific bouts without the PPV investment. Boxing is in desperate need of some good advertising.  The Charlo twins could do exactly that. They could retain an audience and perhaps bring back a few of those who have already left the building. But a PPV price tag threatens to keep them away, leaving the game wrapped in a buzz-less bubble.

Maybe, that changes on Oct. 17 when Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez meet on ESPN in a lightweight bout loaded with pound-for-pound significance. It’s a fight still in the bubble, yet without a PPV tag.

Maybe, it only changes with what would be a surprising return of Canelo Alvarez, the leading PPV star over the last couple of years., The Athletic reported Thursday that Canelo is talking to DAZN, which he had sued along with his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya. The suit was dismissed for a technicality. A simple rewrite would restore it.  An amended lawsuit is due Monday.  According to The Athletic, DAZN is offering Canelo $20 million, about $15 million less than the per-fight purse included in his original contract with the streaming service.

Maybe, maybe. Maybe, Terence Crawford is close to a deal to fight Kell Brook on Nov. 14. Maybe, fans will be allowed to sit in socially-distanced seats for Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder 3, targeted for Dec. 19 at the brand new Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders new home in Las Vegas.

The bubble is full of more maybes than real fights. Don’t make the fans pay for the little that is real. They can’t afford it. Neither can boxing.

UNCASVILLE, CT. – September 23, 2020 – WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo and WBC Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo previewed the CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER at final press conferences Wednesday, as they went face to face with the opponents presenting the toughest tests of their careers.

Jermall will face top contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko headlining part one of the doubleheader, while Jermell takes on WBA and IBF 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario in the main event of part two of the twin bill taking place this Saturday, September 26 live on SHOWTIME PPV (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT), in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The press conferences included all 12 fighters participating on the stacked pay-per-view event featuring six competitive fights in all, five of which are world title fights.

The three-fight Charlo vs. Derevyanchenko card will see WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Brandon Figueroa defending his title against 122-pound contender Damien Vázquez in the co-main event, plus WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero battling unbeaten Duke Micah in the pay-per-view opener.

Following a 30-minute intermission at the conclusion of Charlo vs. Derevyanchenko, the three-fight Charlo vs. Rosario card will begin. Unbeaten former champion Luis Nery takes on undefeated Aaron Alameda for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship in the co-main event, while former unified champion Danny Román duels former champion Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Super Bantamweight title eliminator kicking off the second portion of the pay-per-view.

The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions. The Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario match is co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday from Mohegan Sun in Connecticut:

JERMALL CHARLO

“This is just the beginning for me. There’s been 30 fighters who’ve tried to beat me, and all 30 failed. We’ll get a chance to get in there and do what we do best on Saturday. Talk is cheap. We’ll see where that green belt goes on Saturday.

“I’m focused and locked in. I’m ready to fight. Sergiy can say what he wants to say about me, it’s going to be a fight on Saturday.

“This is like the Super Bowl for us. At the end of the day, we’re always ready to fight. This is what we do and this is what we prepare ourselves for. We’re true warriors.

“Derevyanchenko is looking past me. His trainer and his whole camp, they’re all looking past me. They’re going to find out what they’re in for on Saturday.

“I’m the best in the world. On Saturday night, everyone will get a chance to see it live on SHOWTIME PPV.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“Saturday night is going to be my history-making performance. This is something that I’ve always wanted and that I’ve always trained for. I’ve put in the hard work for every fight I’ve ever had, and this is what it’s all been for.

“People will say that they can’t wait to see us fight again after Saturday. We come to fight. We prepared all our life for this. Now is our time. The big dogs are here to stay. We’re veterans in this game and we love this sport. To make it to this stage, there’s nothing bigger for us. This is our Super Bowl. This is our national championship. It’s time for us to go get our belts.

“This is about my legacy and my career. I want everyone to see what I’m made of. [Jeison] Rosario is a tough fighter with a lot of good attributes. He’s coming to fight. Styles make fights and we’re going to see that in the ring.

“We’re going to put on a show. Knowing my brother is also fighting gives me more energy. Fight night is when you see all our excitement and all our hard work pouring out. This is huge for us. We’re both doing our thing and feeding off each other’s energy.

“Just being on this stage makes you buckle in and focus a lot better. I’m 30 years old and I want to push myself and keep testing my limits. That’s what’s gotten me to this stage right now.

“I have confidence in my skills and I’m going to bring some new tricks out of my hat.”

SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO

“The green color of the WBC belt suits me. I want that green belt. I’ve fought twice for the title, and I’m more ready than ever for the third time.

“I was happy to have the break after the Gennadiy Golovkin fight. I got good rest. I’m relaxed, and when I came back to the United States, I was ready to train and now I’m ready to fight. It all helped me.

“Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs were tough fights, they were both close fights and I think those experiences definitely helped me. I’ll show it in the ring on Saturday.

“I’m going to put pressure on him from the beginning. I’m going to use my legs, my jab and combinations to get the win.

“We always train hard and we have great sparring partners to prepare us. They’ve shown me what he’s going to bring to the ring. Now we just have to take our strategy and use it in the ring on Saturday.

“This is a big fight. When I win, even more opportunities will open up. I’ll be able to unify and take my career to the next level.”

JEISON ROSARIO

“People are going to see on Saturday that it was no fluke that I beat Julian Williams the way that I did.

“This is going to be a war. I’m a warrior, and I’m going to find a way to win. That’s the only thing on my mind.

“I don’t feel any pressure, it’s an obligation – not only to my family, but to all of Latin America – to win these titles. There’s no room in my mind for the possibility of not winning. That’s going to be clear on Saturday night.

“I’m prepared for the fight to go the distance, but I also have the stamina to finish it early and take advantage of my opportunity.

“I don’t have to understand what Jermell is saying on stage to know that he thinks he’s going to win, just like I think I’m going to win. That’s what makes this a great fight, but nothing is going to change my mindset.

“Training camp was great despite the pandemic. I feel strong, healthy and confident. Jermell is a great fighter with a lot of power, but I’m the better overall fighter and the world will see that on Saturday.”

BRANDON FIGUEROA

“I’m excited to be back to doing what I do best and that’s getting in the ring and giving the fans a great show.

“It’s been a very unique circumstance training for this fight during the pandemic, but we made the most of it. I’m very fortunate that I have access to a private gym, so I was able to stay consistent with my training. Sparring was a little difficult, but I was able to venture out after a while and get some good sessions in. Even though this is the longest I’ve gone without a fight, I never took much time off.

“Vazquez is a good, tough opponent but I really don’t think he’ll be able to handle the pressure that I’m going to bring. I’m an action fighter but I can do it all. I can bang, but I can also box – and my dad wants me to box even more and tag him on the outside. I don’t think he’ll be able to handle my body shots.

“I feel like this fight won’t last too long, because I had such a good training camp. I keep getting better and stronger and I’m ready to showcase that Saturday night.”

DAMIEN VAZQUEZ

“If he says it won’t go past six rounds, then he’s going to have to work hard. I’m going to make sure it’ an all-out war. He’s going to have to earn everything.

“I’m ready to go. To be honest, this is the most excited I’ve ever been about a fight. He has two hands and his heart beats like mine. There’s nothing to be scared about in facing my opponent.

“No disrespect to the Charlos, but I want to be fight of the night and steal the show. May the best man win. I’m confident that will be me. Plain and simple.”

JOHN RIEL CASIMERO

“This is my first time on SHOWTIME so I want to give everyone watching an impressive performance. I’ll go for the knockout.

“This is a big opportunity show the world who I am. I promise I will do my best this fight. I am extremely ready to give it my all.

“My opponent is a mature boxer with good experience. But I’m going to be too strong for him. I believe I’m the best at 118-pounds.”

DUKE MICAH

“I’m so grateful for this moment. This is a massive night for me. It all comes down to this and we are coming to win.

“I have to stick to my game plan. I expect my opponent to box and move. I’ve prepared for a couple attacks that I think he will use. I’ve never been more ready for a fight than I am for this one.

“Casimero is a good boxer, but I’m a different fighter than I’ve been in the past. I’ve improved my game so much working with Andre Rozier. The fans will see it on Saturday night, and they will become instant fans of my electrifying style.”

LUIS NERY

“Everyone knows about my strength and knockout power, but my technique and preparation will play a part to help me win this fight.

“I’m excited for the challenge of moving up in weight. I want to dominate across multiple weight classes. That’s going to start Saturday night with a big statement against [Aaron] Alameda.

“This is really one of the best training camps I’ve ever had. I’ve been working with Eddy Reynoso, he’s focused on a lot of different aspects of my game that I can show in the ring on Saturday.

“The level of the fighter that Alameda has fought is not too impressive. On Saturday he’s going to face someone who’s on a whole new level from anything he’s ever faced.”

AARON ALAMEDA

“Everyone knows I’m the underdog, but after Saturday, everyone is going to know who Aaron Alameda is. I prepared hard like I always do, and you will see that from me in this fight.

“This fight was supposed to take place back in March, but I’ve been able to take the last six months to prepare even better and make sure I’m 100 percent the best version of myself.

“There’s so much on the line that I don’t think not having fans will have any effect. It’s pay-per-view and that means a lot of eyeballs will be on me. This fight means everything for me and my career.”

DANNY ROMAN

“I am coming off of losing the titles and that has made me hungrier than before. I am going again against a quality fighter like [Juan Carlos] Payano, and I don’t believe this is going the distance.

“I always make weight. I am still eating right now, and I think I will be eating before the weigh-in. I don’t struggle with the weight and I even think with a good diet I might be able to make 118 pounds.

“My style is to go in there and give the best of me and try to make my fight, the fight of the night. There are a lot of great fighters up here, but I’m trying to steal the show. We’re going to do whatever is possible to get this win.”

JUAN CARLOS PAYANO

“I’ve faced better fighters than [Danny] Roman and I’m not going to back down against anyone. I’m ready for him to bring it. I’ve been on this stage before. I train to win every fight no matter what.

“I was already in training camp before the shutdown and I haven’t stopped working since. It’s been a long training camp, but we’re here now and I’m prepared.

“I didn’t come to talk too much. People will see the results on Saturday. I’m ready to show everyone that my power will be there in this fight.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.

“I’d like to acknowledge the fighters and all of their camps for cooperating with us, complying with the protocols, and for meeting this challenge.

“The fans have spoken, and we listened. Fans wanted the best fighting the best. Well, we’ve got that. Without question, this is not just the biggest pay-per-view card of the year, but there is also the most value for your money on this card. I’ve never been involved with a card that has this level of quality and this level of star power”.

“We are proud that the Charlo’s are returning home to SHOWTIME after they came of age on this network. This is the fight fans’ fight card, with top to bottom can’t-miss action guaranteed on Saturday night.”

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ABOUT CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER
The CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER takes place Saturday, September 26 on SHOWTIME PPV with an unprecedented event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The pay-per-view begins at a special time of 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and features six compelling fights in all, five of which are world title fights, on the same night for one price. The SHOWTIME PPV telecast begins with the Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko three-fight card followed by a 30-minute intermission and then the Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario three-fight card.

Part one of the SHOWTIME PPV is headlined by WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo facing top contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko. WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Brandon Figueroa will defend his title against 122-pound contender Damien Vázquez in the co-featured bout, while WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero faces off against unbeaten Duke Micah in the pay-per-view opener.

The second three-fight card is headlined by the historic unification matchup between WBC Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo and IBF and WBA 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario. Unbeaten former champion Luis Nery will battle undefeated Aaron Alameda for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship in the co-feature, while former unified champion Danny Román faces off against former champion Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Super Bantamweight title eliminator bout to open the second installment of the pay-per-view.

The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions. The Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario match is co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

NEW YORK – September 21, 2020 – Top contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko believes that his combination of skills and experience will make him the toughest challenge that WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo has faced in his career, as they near their showdown this Saturday, September 26 headlining part one of CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER, a SHOWTIME PPV event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

“I’ll definitely be his toughest test at middleweight,” said Derevyanchenko. “Jermall has never faced anyone like me. I’ll apply more pressure than he’s used to. He’s also never faced anyone with my footwork. I’ll fight more on the inside than his previous opponents.”

Derevyanchenko sports a 13-2 pro record with 10 knockouts, following an extensive amateur career that included representing his native Ukraine at the 2008 Olympics as part of his 390-20 overall ledger. A pro since 2014, Derevyanchenko’s experience in the amateurs has aided him as he climbed up the middleweight division in the paid ranks.

“My amateur experience has helped me a lot,” said Derevyanchenko. “I came to the pros with much more experience in the ring than most other fighters and it’s been a big part of what I’ve accomplished. I believe that all of that experience will help me get the win on Saturday and take Charlo’s belt.”

The 34-year-old now lives in Brooklyn and has avoided any negative training impact of the pandemic by working with his head trainer Andre Rozier at their private gym in New Jersey. September 26 will be Derevyanchenko’s third world title fight, after losing a narrow decision to Gennadiy Golovkin last October and a split decision against Daniel Jacobs in 2018. Each of his previous title fights have presented different experiences that he can take into the Charlo fight, based off the similarities and differences between the opponents.

“Golovkin is a very different fighter than Charlo, but Jacobs is similar stylistically, so that’s something I’ll be used to,” said Derevyanchenko. “This training camp has been very similar to camps for my previous fights though. We just brought in different sparring partners for this one. We’re using fighters who can show us what Charlo will bring to the ring.

“We’re making necessary adjustments based off all our experience and developing a game plan specifically for Charlo. The sparring partners have been giving me great work and I’m absolutely ready for September 26.”

In both of his title opportunities, Derevyanchenko has suffered a knockdown in the first round, only to battle back and nearly win the fight. Despite the similar script, Derevyanchenko is not focusing on those opening round mistakes as he prepares for Charlo.

“I’ll be very focused in the early rounds against Charlo, we’re not dwelling on the past,” said Derevyanchenko. “We always have an eye looking forward. I’ll try to get the win faster against Charlo, so we’ll be applying more pressure early.

“Those first round knockdowns were just brief moments in those fights. I quickly moved on, put them behind me and fought my way back into it. I told myself that I may have lost the first round, but I just had to be better in the remaining rounds.”

With fight week here and the bulk of the hard training behind him, Derevyanchenko is prepared for the challenge Charlo presents, no matter how the fight goes or which strategy Charlo enters the ring with.

“I’m not solely focused on the fight going one certain way, we just have our game plan and we’ll see what happens in the ring,” said Derevyanchenko. “If I can knock him out, I’ll be ready to go for it. But if it goes 12 rounds, I have all of the skills to win a decision.”

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ABOUT CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER
The CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER takes place Saturday, September 26 on SHOWTIME PPV with an unprecedented event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The PPV begins at a special time of 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and features six compelling fights in all, five of which are world title fights, on the same night for one price. The SHOWTIME PPV telecast begins with the Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko three-fight card followed by a 30-minute intermission and then the Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario three-fight card.

Part one of the SHOWTIME PPV is headlined by WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo facing top contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko. WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Brandon Figueroa will defend his title against 122-pound contender Damien Vázquez in the co-featured bout, while WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero faces off against unbeaten Duke Micah in the pay-per-view opener.

The second three-fight card is headlined by the historic unification matchup between WBC Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo and IBF and WBA 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario. Unbeaten former champion Luis Nery will battle undefeated Aaron Alameda for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship in the co-feature, while former unified champion Danny Román faces off against former champion Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Super Bantamweight title eliminator bout to open the second installment of the pay-per-view.

The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions. The Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario match is co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

HOUSTON – September 14, 2020 – Unbeaten WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo brought fans and media into his training camp Monday with a virtual media workout as he prepares to face top contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko to headline part one of a first-of-its-kind SHOWTIME PPV doubleheader Saturday, September 26 in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Charlo was joined Monday by his longtime trainer Ronnie Shields as he showed off a variety of skills while training for the toughest opponent of his pro career. Charlo vs. Derevyanchenko will headline the first part of the special PPV doubleheader that begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, before his twin brother and WBC Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo steps in for the main event of part two against WBA and IBF 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario.

The workout streamed live on the PBC YouTube page and can be viewed in its entirety HERE. Here is what Charlo and Shields had to say Monday:

JERMALL CHARLO

“I know that it’s my time to shine and my time to give everyone the best that I can give. I’m striving to be one of the best to ever lace up a pair of gloves.

“The fans that love me can expect me to do what I do. The fans who don’t know about me, they’re going to see a smart, strong and athletic fighter. You’re going to see all of it in the ring on September 26.

“I came from nothing, so I want to put everyone on. I want to make sure Ronnie Shields gets into the Hall of Fame. We’re looking to do something in boxing that no one has ever done.

“When I look outside this gym, I say there’s no way I’m losing. I’m carrying my whole family on my back. Houston, we have another one. I’m doing it for everybody here.

“I’m telling those other middleweights to buckle your seatbelts. It’s lift off. Everyone that doubted me, everyone who wants a chance, you’ll get your turn. I’m running the show. You just stay locked in.

“My power is growing along with me. With some fights you need to add more power and sometimes your power just naturally increases. I’ve gotten a lot stronger and a lot smarter, so I’ve been able to use my skills to go along with my power heading into this fight.

“Derevyanchenko is a come forward fighter. He’s going to bring a lot of power and speed with good technical skills. He calls himself ‘The Technician’ but we’ll see how technical he is once I start putting my jab in his face. I’m going to use all my natural skills in this fight.

“After I win this fight the sky is the limit. I know people will respect me a lot more after this, but I’m focused on only this fight. This fight is another big stepping stone toward even bigger fights to come.

“A lot of people don’t really know where the Charlos came from and they’re getting the chance to learn it throughout this time. It’s taken to this point for everyone to see that we belong on this big stage. I’m grateful for everyone around me who’s embraced me with love.

“We don’t have too much longer to be doing this. Where are the rest of the belts at? I’m ready. Watch next Saturday night, because I’m making this statement loud for everyone who doubted me.”

RONNIE SHIELDS, Charlo’s Trainer

“It means a lot to be in this position. It shows you that your fighter has made it to the top. He’s at the point where people want to see the champion of the world. It’s great to be there with him and help him to this level in the sport.

“At this moment, Jermall is in great shape and he’s just about ready. We still have another week of hard training to go, then we’ll start coming down next week. He’s really sharp right now and we just have to keep him that way.

“Houston loves winners and this guy is a winner. People know he’s a family man also and he works very hard for everything he’s gotten. He’s always shouting out Houston because this is where he’s from and it’s important to him.

“I’ve had so many good fighters in my career, but Jermall is right up there at the top with Evander Holyfield, Vernon Forrest and Pernell Whitaker. He works hard and pays attention to what he has to do. The thing that separates them is that he knows how to watch his opponent and he knows what he’s in for.

“Just like every opponent, we expect Sergiy to be at his best. We expect Sergiy to come in and try to win and be the best he can possibly be. Jermall is doing the same thing. No stone will be left unturned. We go over the game plan every day.”

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ABOUT CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER PPV
The CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER takes place Saturday, September 26 on SHOWTIME PPV with an unprecedented event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The PPV begins at a special time of 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and features six compelling fights in all, five of which are world title fights, on the same night for one price. The SHOWTIME PPV telecast begins with the Jermall Charlo vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko three-fight card followed by a 30-minute intermission and then the Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario three-fight card.

Part one of the SHOWTIME PPV is headlined by WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo facing top contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko. WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Brandon Figueroa will defend his title against 122-pound contender Damien Vázquez in the co-featured bout, while WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero faces off against unbeaten Duke Micah in the pay-per-view opener.

The second three-fight card is headlined by the historic unification matchup between WBC Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo and IBF and WBA 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario. Unbeaten former champion Luis Nery will battle undefeated Aaron Alameda for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship in the co-feature, while former unified champion Danny Román faces off against former champion Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Super Bantamweight title eliminator bout to open the second installment of the pay-per-view.

The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions. The Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario match is co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

NEW YORK – September 11, 2020 – SHOWTIME Sports announced today the price and programming lineup for the first-of-its-kind pay-per-view doubleheader on Saturday, September 26, featuring two stacked fight cards each headlined by one of the world champion Charlo twins in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The SHOWTIME PPV^® event, CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER, is available for purchase at a suggested retail price (SRP) of $74.95 and includes six compelling fights, five of which are world championship bouts.

The CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER, which begins at a special time of 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, can be purchased for live streaming and via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers. Viewers can purchase the CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER in the SHOWTIME app on Apple tvOS and iOS devices, FireTV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Chromecast, Xbox One and contemporary Roku players and Roku TVs. The event is also available for purchase online at SHOWTIME.com and through cable and satellite pay-per-view distributors.

THE EVENT

The first card of the SHOWTIME PPV telecast will be headlined by undefeated WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo defending his title against Sergiy Derevyanchenko. WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Brandon Figueroa will defend his title against Damien Vázquez in the co-featured bout, while WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero faces off against Duke Micah in the pay-per-view opener. Following the main event and a 30-minute intermission, the second three-fight card headlined by WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Jermell Charlo facing unified 154-pound World Champion Jeison Rosario will begin. Luis Nery will battle Aaron Alameda for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship in the co-feature, while former unified champion Danny Román faces former champion Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Super Bantamweight title eliminator bout to open the second three-fight card of the pay-per-view.

TELECAST TEAM

The announce team for the SHOWTIME PPV telecast is comprised of the most experienced and decorated boxing team on television. Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer is the host. Versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo handles blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and four-time world champion Abner Mares. Two Hall of Famers round out the telecast team: boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer, and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. 

The executive producer of the SHOWTIME PPV telecast is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The director is Bob Dunphy, son of legendary Hall of Famer Don Dunphy. The pair has been guiding SHOWTIME Sports’ flagship series SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® since its inception in 1986 and has produced the three highest-grossing pay-per-view events of all time (Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-McGregor, Mayweather-Canelo).

THE JOURNEY: CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER and DIGITAL PROGRAMMING LINEUP

In the leadup to the unprecedented two-event pay-per-view, SHOWTIME Sports will produce and premiere THE JOURNEY: CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER, a 30-minute show that chronicles the unique story of Jermall and Jermell, twins born one minute apart in Houston, Texas, as they rise through the ranks and put themselves in position to become global boxing stars. Voiced by SHOWTIME boxing host Brian Custer, THE JOURNEY: CHARLO DOUBLEHEADER features rarely seen footage and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their most pivotal career moments, motivations, and life outside of the ring.

THE JOURNEY will premiere on SHOWTIME on Sunday, September 13 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT and will be available for free on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and all SHOWTIME On Demand platforms.

SHOWTIME Sports^® will also release new episodes of the original, digital franchise RING RESUME which examines the career progressions of boxing’s top stars, available on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel. Beginning Monday, September 21, the SHOWTIME Boxing Snapchat page will focus on high-energy fight and training camp highlights featuring the Charlos. In addition, the Snapchat page will feature the Charlos’ RING RESUMES and THE JOURNEY to expand reach to young audiences with short-form, fast-paced storytelling. Plus, Brendan Schaub and Kenny Florian will preview the keys to the fights on BELOW THE BELT BREAKDOWN, available on the BELOW THE BELT YouTube channel.

MORNING KOMBAT INTERMISSION

Combat sports aficionados Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell will host a 30-minute intermission show after the conclusion of the Charlo vs. Derevyanchenko main event and the start of the second three-fight card. The duo, hosts of the popular live combat sports talk show and podcast MORNING KOMBAT, will also host live streams of the main events press conference and official weigh-in in addition to providing in-depth coverage on MORNING KOMBAT throughout the week. The official weigh-in and main events press conference will stream live on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page. 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

NEW YORK – September 1, 2020 – Unbeaten WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo faces the toughest test of his career in top 160-pound contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko on Saturday, September 26 in part one of a first-of-its-kind SHOWTIME PPV doubleheader presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The unprecedented pay-per-view twin bill features six compelling fights in all, five of which are world title fights, on the same night for one price. Part one of the SHOWTIME PPV telecast begins live at a special time of 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with the Charlo vs. Derevyanchenko three-fight card. WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Brandon Figueroa will defend his title against 122-pound contender Damien Vázquez in the co-featured bout, while WBO Bantamweight World Champion John Riel Casimero faces off against unbeaten Duke Micah in the pay-per-view opener.

Following the main event of part one and a 30-minute intermission, the second three-fight card headlined by WBC Super Welterweight World Champion and twin brother Jermell Charlo facing arguably the toughest test of his career in unified 154-pound World Champion Jeison Rosario will begin. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions as part of a blockbuster pay-per-view event.

Houston’s Jermall Charlo (30-0, 22 KOs) has held the WBC middleweight title since 2019 and reigned as the IBF 154-pound champion from 2015 to ’17. The 30-year-old holds wins at 154 pounds against championship-level fighters including Julian Williams, Cornelius Bundrage and Austin Trout. While campaigning at middleweight, Charlo is 5-0 with three knockouts, including victories in 2019 over Brandon Adams and, most recently, Dennis Hogan in December.

Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10 KOs) has twice challenged for the IBF middleweight title in 2018 and ’19, losing only to top-level opponents Daniel Jacobs and Gennadiy Golovkin. He was an accomplished amateur and a 2008 Olympian for his native Ukraine before turning pro in 2014. The 34-year-old now trains out of Brooklyn and owns victories over Jack Culcay and Tureano Johnson that propelled him up the 160-pound rankings.

The four undercard matchups across the two shows feature some of the best talent in the 118- and 122-pound divisions, including two world champions (Figueroa and Casimero), a WBC No. 1 ranked contender (Nery) and two WBA No. 2 ranked fighters (Danny Roman and Juan Carlos Payano). In all, the eight undercard fighters boast a combined record of 190-11-3, including four men who have yet to taste defeat. With champions and contenders including newly-crowned WBO 122-pound titlist Angelo Leo and No. 1 contender Stephen Fulton waiting in the wings for future world title and unification fights, all four undercard bouts carry high stakes and world title implications.

The 23-year-old Figueroa (20-0-1, 15 KOs) looks to make his second successful title defense on September 26. A Weslaco, Texas native and younger brother of former world champion Omar Figueroa, he claimed the interim WBA 122-pound title with an eighth-round stoppage of Yonfrez Parejo last April, before successfully defending the title with a homecoming KO of Javier Chacon. After being upgraded to the “regular” titlist, Figueroa retained his belt after a 12-round draw against former champion Julio Ceja last November.

The 23-year-old southpaw Vázquez (15-1-1, 7 KOs) was born in Thornton, Colo. and now fights out of Las Vegas. The younger cousin of former two-time champion Israel Vázquez is coming off a stoppage win over Alejandro Moreno in February of 2020. Vázquez turned pro in 2013 and reeled off 14 consecutive wins to begin his career in the paid ranks.

The 31-year-old Casimero (29-4, 20 KOs) of the Philippines will make his first title defense after being previously scheduled to face Naoya Inoue in a bantamweight unification title fight in April before the COVID-19 shutdown. Casimero has been training in Las Vegas since March and won the title with an impressive third-round stoppage of Zolani Tete last November. The three-division champion had previously captured titles at flyweight and light flyweight.

Born in the boxing hotbed of Accra, Ghana, the undefeated Micah (24-0, 19 KOs) has fought his last four bouts in the United States, most recently scoring victories in 2019 over Luis Suarez Cruz in August and Janiel Rivera in December. The 28-year-old now trains out of Brooklyn, N.Y. and has fought professionally since 2012.

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

NEW YORK – September 1, 2020 – In a first-of-its-kind boxing event, and a doubleheader unlike any other in sports, SHOWTIME PPV and Premier Boxing Champions have assembled two stacked fight cards with each card headlined by one of the world champion Charlo twins in their most significant fights to date. On Saturday, September 26, the unprecedented twin bill features WBC Middleweight Champion Jermall Charlo facingtop contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko in the main event of the first card. The second card is topped by WBC Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo taking onWBA and IBF 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario in a world championship unification fight.

The unprecedented pay-per-view twin bill features six compelling fights in all, five of which are world title fights, on the same night for one price. The SHOWTIME PPV telecast begins with the Charlo vs. Derevyanchenko three-fight card live at a special time of 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT followed by a 30-minute intermission and then the Charlo vs. Rosario three-fight card.

“The Charlo twins are two of boxing’s most charismatic and exciting stars, and they are facing the most significant challenges of their respective careers,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “It’s only right that Jermell and Jermall would headline this extraordinary doubleheader. Jeison Rosario proved just how dangerous he is when he stopped Julian Williams in January to become the unified champion and he has shown his considerable ambition by going right into this showdown against Jermell. Sergiy Derevyanchenko has given some of the best middleweights in the world everything they could handle, and many believe he should be a 160-pound champion right now. He’s going to face another one of the very best middleweights on September 26 and there is no doubt he’ll be at his best when he steps to Jermall.

“With the addition of two sensational undercard bouts on each card, three of which are world title fights, this special event is a boxing fan’s dream and will deliver hours of dramatic action.”

“This event is a cornerstone, two cornerstones, in fact, of the 2020 SHOWTIME Sports boxing schedule,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, SHOWTIME. “The parallel paths of the Charlo twins converge when they take on their most significant opponents to date. In doing so, each man has a chance to assert himself individually on the biggest stage in the sport. Likewise, the four undercard matchups across the two shows feature some of the best talent in the 118 and 122-pound divisions, virtually all in 50-50 matchups. This is truly a special event, delivered at a special time and in an unprecedented way. As a fight fan, I cannot wait for September 26.”

This unique pay-per-view doubleheader is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by Lions Only Promotions and TGB Promotions. The Jermell Charlo vs. Jeison Rosario match is co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing