BIGGEST WINNERS

Charlo brothers: I personally don’t attach much importance to sanctioning-body titles but twin brothers holding belts simultaneously in one division is impressive. Jermell Charlo joined twin Jermall as a world junior middleweight titleholder when he knocked out John Jackson on Saturday night in Las Vegas, where Jermall also outpointed Austin Trout. It looked as if it might not happen for Jermell. Jackson, boxing surprisingly well, led 69-64 (five rounds to two) on all three cards after seven rounds but that became moot when Jermell hurt Jackson with a big right and ended the fight with two follow-up lefts to win the vacant WBC title. I don’t think Jermell (28-0, 13 knockouts) was at his best – he seemed too preoccupied with proving he can punch – but, obviously, he got the job done. Jermall (24-0, 18 KOs) had to dig deep to beat a stubborn Trout by a unanimous decision in the second defense of his IBF belt. I thought the competitive nature of that fight was as much a product of Trout’s effectiveness than any deficiency on Jermall’s part. The 26-year-old Charlo brothers could be around a long time, as they appear to be complete boxer-punchers even if nothing about them really stands out. I don’t know whether they have the styles and personalities to become major stars but their names will continue to grow as they continue to win. And their story – twin titleholders – certainly doesn’t hurt.

RABBIT PUNCHES

The Charlos aren’t the best boxing twins, at least not yet. Hall of Famer Khaosai Galaxy (47-1, 41 KOs) held the WBA junior bantamweight title for seven-plus years while twin Khaokor Galaxy (24-2, 18 KOs) was a two-time bantamweight titleholder. That’s hard to beat. And the Sullivan twins, Mike and Jack, deserve respect. Mike (28-6-16, 17 KOs) laid claim to the world welterweight title in early part of the 20^th century while Jack (52-21-32, 23 KOs) was a top middleweight. ÔǪ WBA 154-pound titleholder Erislandy Lara (23-2-2, 13 KOs) outpointed Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs) in a competitive main event in Las Vegas, a rematch of their 2012 draw. The problem: Who really cares? Lara is a very good boxer with a style that is difficult to watch, which doesn’t endear him to too many fans. I doubt that will ever change. Martirosyan has his own problems. The former U.S. Olympian is a good fighter who just can’t get over the hump, as he has fallen short in his biggest fights. He’s certainly good enough to win a world title. I hope that happens for him. ÔǪ Trout probably peaked when he easily outpointed Miguel Cotto in 2012 – he’s only 4-3 since – but he fought very well against Jermall Charlo. I think he was good enough to remain a major player in the division. ÔǪ

David Haye’s second-round knockout of Arnold Gjergjaj on Saturday in London, his second victory in his comeback, is next to meaningless given the opponent but it’s good to have the former titleholder back. Most of the focus in a rejuvenated heavyweight division has been on Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua, Luis Ortiz and Alexander Povetkin but Haye (28-2, 26 KOs) should be in the mix. He has everything it takes to succeed at the highest level – ability, power, experience, charisma. And he’s still young enough at 35 to make an impact. ÔǪ Heavyweight contender Joseph Parker (19-0, 16 KOs) took a nice step in his career by outpointing Carlos Takam (33-3-1, 25 KOs) on Saturday in New Zealand. Now we know for sure he can beat a solid heavyweight. The Las Vegas-based Kiwi must now pull out all stops to lure one of the top heavyweights into the ring to maintain his momentum. ÔǪ IBF and WBA cruiserweight titleholder Denis Lebedev (29-2, 22 KOs) continued to roll, stopping Victor Ramirez (22-3-1, 17 KOs) in two rounds Saturday in Moscow. That could set up a fascinating next defense for the Russian. Big-punching Cuban Yunier Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs) stopped the capable Youri Kalenga (22-3, 15 KOs) in the 10^th round to become what the WBA calls its “interim” titleholder Saturday in Paris. A Lebedev-Dorticos showdown would be a lot of fun to watch.