Jermell Charlo turns out the lights on Jorge Cota in round 3

Jermell Charlo returned to the ring for the first time since suffering his first loss. He didn’t fight the opponent he wanted, but he looked refreshed.

At the close of 2018, Jermell Charlo (32-1, 15 KOs) looked like one of the best super welterweights in the world. He planned on an easy fight with Tony Harrison in December, but Harrison bested him in 12 rounds. Charlo returned to the ring on Sunday, June 23, and got back in the win column.

Charlo was supposed to fight Harrison in a rematch for a shot at reclaiming the WBC super welterweight title, but Harrison injured his ankle and pulled out of the fight.

Jorge Cota (28-4, 25 KOs) replaced Harrison, but the mystique of the main event evaporated with Harrison’s injury. No one thought Cota had much of a chance and he proved conventional wisdom correct with his performance against Charlo.

In the first round, Charlo opened with a straight right. Cota tried to use a feinting jab, but it didn’t lead to much. Cota remained aggressive but missed his power punches. Chalo stayed patient and kept trying to time a straight right. Charlo’s inactivity made this a competitive round.

Cota started the second with an out of control left that Charlo timed and countered with a right. Cota looked unsteady for a moment but recovered quickly. Charlo grew more brazen as he pushed the attack with strong hooks to Cota’s head. Cota lost the round, but Charlo could have been more effective if he didn’t smother his punches in close.

In round 3, Charlo continued his fast pace with a series of jabs that connected. He saw that his punches were landing cleanly, and he unloaded a right hook that immediately dropped Cota. Cota would have been wise to take his time, but he rushed to his feet.

When the action continued, Charlo wasted no time landing a left-right combination that put Cota out. The right hand hit Cota like a brick to the head, and he had no chance of regaining consciousness before the end of the 10-count.

Charlo’s knockout was pretty, but it was against Cota, not Harrison. Charlo performed as expected against a subpar last-minute replacement. Charlo deserves a  modicum of credit, but he didn’t erase the shadow lingering since his December loss to Harrison. Hopefully, Harrison will heal up quickly. Until then, Charlo has to chomp at the bit, waiting for redemption.