Jermall Charlo retains WBC middleweight crown with Sergey Derevyanchenko win

The 30-year-old American champion overcame stubborn resistance from the Ukrainian challenger to extend his unbeaten record to 31 fights at a spectator-less Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Charlo, whose twin brother and fellow world champion Jermell fought on the same card later on Saturday, was pushed all the way by Derevyanchenko, who fell to 13-3 with the defeat.

Derevyanchenko, bleeding from cuts around both eyes, launched a furious late onslaught in the 12th round as he chased a knockout.

But Charlo, leading comfortably on points, had too much savvy to let victory slip and closed out a third defence of his WBC belt.