Super Lightweight Osnel Charles, My Friend
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
The 10 bout undercard, both before and after the main event, at Showboat Atlantic City on Saturday evening, February 24, 2018, was of interest only to the friends of the unknown fighters who fought the undercard bouts. Within the remains of the long empty Noodle House Restaurant off the casino floor, where served as the impromptu dressing room for fighters, as this reporter ventured down a service corridor through the kitchen and noddle bar counter into the restaurant dining room, I went looking for the face of an old friend.
Osnel Charles of Atlantic City, New Jersey, will never win a world title. He has an ordinary day job, and rarely the time to train for most of the bouts he takes these days, when he takes them. This night, however, was different. Osnel has trained for his four-round bout. Old and wise trainer Bill Johnson, whose late son, former IBF World Lightweight champion Leavander Johnson, lost his title died after fighting in his native Atlantic City ten years ago, along with assistant trainer Arnold Robbins, were in Osnel’s corner.
“Robert!” he shouted, popping out of his chair, and we embraced with smiles. With 12 wins, 18 losses, and one draw, with two career knockouts, perhaps Osnel’s scheduled opponent did not show, perhaps this was a setup fight for a win against 2-8 LaQuan Lewis, or perhaps he was a late sub, of these facts I did not know. I did not care. At one point, Osnel had won eight bouts in a row. Osnel has fought durable Victor Vasquez four times. On this occasion, I was there to support my friend. In case of press at ringside is not supposed to cheer, I suppose I did, because I wanted my friend to win. As both fighters have losing records, nobody seemed to notice or care. I did, though. Supporting my friend made all the difference in the world. Coming off the canvas in the second round after putting his opponent down earlier in the same round, Osnel rallied and stopped Lewis early in the fourth and final round, only his second career knockout.
Osnel and his corner waived the Haitian flag proudly, and many in the crowd cheered, as Osnel fought the fight of the night. Both fighters gave their all, and Osnel wanted it a little bit more. There will be no title belts, no trophies, and no big purses, only the chance to take a fight now and then, and live your dreams, whatever they are, inside the ring. Osnel has now won two of his last four bouts, losing two recent bouts to unbeaten fighters. With nothing to lose, Osnel threw caution to the wind in the final round, as did his opponent, which is nice to see. Osnel knows the game and played it well. At age 33, with 31 pro bouts, Osnel’s career is what it is. He is super lightweight Osnel Charles, my friend.
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