Jermall Charlo edges Austin Trout in highly competitive fight to retain IBF title

LAS VEGAS - Jermall Charlo was dialing in with power shots, and as the bigger, stronger man, they began to take their toll.

Austin Trout's right eye was swollen. His body language poor. But he hung in there, and began to find a home for his sneaky straight left.

The former champion rallied over the second half of the bout, but it wasn't enough the dethrone Charlo, who retained his IBF junior middleweight title via unanimous decision Saturday at The Cosmopolitan on Showtime. Two judges scored it 116-112, with the other card reading 115-113.

"It was a hell of a fight and Austin Trout is a hell of a fighter," said Charlo, whose twin brother Jermell won a title earlier in the night. "He beat (Miguel) Cotto, he fought Canelo (Alvarez). And the guy gave me extra experience. First time I went 12 (rounds), I was in shape and ready for it."

Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) landed the bigger, harder shots from the onset and used his superior strength to bully Trout on the ropes. He appeared to buzz the New Mexico native a few times, but as the savvy veteran always does, he weathered the storm with blood trickling from his right eye.

The 30-year-old Trout was able to time the Texan and counter over the top, but the punches never fazed the champion. The crowd booed the decision, but it was the right call.

"I'm very disappointed, I feel like I won the fight," Trout (30-3, 17 KOs) said. "Seems like on these close decisions I always come up short when it's clear I won the fight. The cut didn't bother me. I thought I controlled the second half and I won clearly."

Charlo, 26, must now face Julian "J-Rock" Williams, an undefeated puncher from Philadelphia who made the trip to scout his future foe. He was less than impressed.

"He's extremely flawed. He's a basic 1-2 fighter," Williams said. "I think he's a good fighter but I think I'm much better and I plan to show everybody when we fight.

"He just proved a lot of things that I already knew. I think Jermall has gotten a lot of credit from the work Jermell has put in. I just think he's extremely flawed. I have flaws, too, but I think they showed a little bit tonight when he had a half-decent guy in there with him."

(Photo of Charlo, left, and Trout by John Locher, AP)