Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (32-0-1, 22 KOs) knocked out Michael Zerafa (17-2, 9 KOs) in the fifth round on Saturday afternoon from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Quillin and Zerafa exchanged power punches throughout the affair, with the underdog Zerafa landing several big shots that stopped Quillin in his tracks. In the fifth round, a powerful right hand from Quillin connected with Zerafa and sent him tumbling to the ground as referee Arthur Mercante Jr. waved-off the fight. Quillin landed 47 percent of his power punches and out-landed Zerafa 54-38, per CompuBox.
Zerafa exited the ring on a stretcher and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. During Quillin’s post-fight press conference, he was put on the phone with Zerafa, who said that he was okay. Zerafa has been undergoing tests, his CAT scan is normal, and all indications are that he is likely to be released from the hospital tonight.
The victory for Quillin sets up an all-Brooklyn middleweight alphabet title fight with Daniel Jacobs, which is tentatively set to take place this December. Jacobs was ringside as part of the broadcast team and was interviewed after the fight to share his thoughts about the future collision. You can read quotes from both Quillin and Jacobs below.
PETER QUILLIN
“It is hard to celebrate a performance like that, especially when someone is leaving on a stretcher. Unfortunately that is part of the game. I just pray that he gets better and gets home to Australia safe and sound.
“I made a bad mistake in my past when I fought Miranda. I learned that you have to give every guy credit.
“What’s important is that I’m ready for Danny Jacobs. Now it’s time for Brooklyn to see me and Danny Jacobs. We’ve waited for a long time for it.
“I like Danny because I’m a big fan of his. But business is business unfortunately.
“[To Jacobs] We can do it right here if you want to take off that suit and put on those gloves. Lets do it right now.
“I’m back in camp on Monday. I’m getting ready for Danny Jacobs.
“Right now he’s the champ, I’m the challenger. I like to be in that position. It motivates me. I fight for all the kids who were told they wouldn’t make it.”
DANIEL JACOBS
“I’m from Brownsville in Brooklyn. I never ran and I never will.
“December 5 at Barclays Center. I’m the champion and he’s the challenger.
“I don’t know how it’s going to go down, but it’s going to be a great fight.
“In the sport of boxing, you can’t make too many friends.
“It will be one of the biggest fights that Brooklyn has had in a long time.
“I’m a mover, I’m a power puncher and I have a high boxing IQ. He has trouble with guys that move and I can think on the fly.
“This [fight] is all the motivation I needed…what other motivation do you need to get your butt in the gym and get prepared?
“They call me the ‘Miracle Man’. It’s no secret that I have motivation to be the best I can be. Come December 5, Brooklyn is going to have a new star.”
Undercard: Jermall Charlo stops Cornelius Bundrage
In the co-main event undefeated star Jermall Charlo (22-0, 17 KOs) knocked down Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (35-6, 19 KOs) four times en route to a third round stoppage win.
Charlo came out firing, knocking down Bundrage in the first with a sharp overhand. He followed that up in the second round with a straight left that again sent Bundrage to the canvas.
Charlo began the third round with a barrage of punches that ended in Bundrage tumbling to the mat. One final flurry late in the round put Bundrage on the mat for the fourth time, prompting referee Johnny Callas to stop the fight.
Charlo’s twin brother and fellow undefeated boxer Jermell cheered him along in his corner and the two embraced immediately upon Jermall’s victory. Charlo out-landed Bundrage 33-20 over the three rounds, per CompuBox. Below you can read what Charlo had to say after the victory.
JERMALL CHARLO
“I’m the champion of the world. It’s all God-given. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I feel good.
“You never put a dog in a pen with a lion. I said I was going to do what I was going to do.
“This is the future. I am the future of boxing.
“I studied and I stayed ready. K-9 got cut and I stayed ready. When I turned pro seven years ago, I didn’t know this would be possible.
“I was ready for 12 rounds, and I knew he was ready for 12 rounds.
“I’ve finally made it to the championship status. To be classified as a world champion, it’s history.
“The fight went exactly how we thought it would. It was getting rough and I was ready for it. It was just a matter of time. It’s the best feeling in the world.
“I want to become even better. I want to defend my title and show everyone how good I am.”
