Brian Castano vs. Erislandy Lara - March 2, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Argentina’s Brian Carlos Castano’s a relative newcomer in a 154-pound division highlighted by champions Jarrett Hurd (IBF//IBO/WBA) and Jermell Charlo (WBC), left-handed ex-titleholders Erislandy Lara and Austin Trout, and contenders Julian Williams and Tony Harrison.

Nicknamed, “El Boxi” after a fighting kangaroo cartoon character, Castano went 181-5-5 as an amateur, earning a South American Games gold medal. Along the way, Castano defeated current 147-pound champion Errol Spence, 2012 Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao and, in the World Series of Boxing, Sergey Derevyanchenko, last weekend’s split-decision loser to Daniel Jacobs in a clash for the IBF’s vacant 160-pound world title.

The 29-year-old Castano (15-0, 11 KOs) shapes up as a formidable opponent against any of the above or others such as newly-crowned titlist Jamie Munguia or former champion Ishe Smith, his past three victories comprising a WBA 154-pound “regular” title and a pair of defenses.

The 35-year-old Lara (25-3-2, 14 KOs) could be next for Castano, coming off April’s split-decision unification loss to Hurd (22-0, 15 KOs), according to Sebastian Contursi, Castano’s manager. Lara had been the longest-reigning 154-pound champ before Hurd’s final-round knockdown with 37 seconds remaining secured a 114-113 victory margin on all three judges’ scorecards.

“The WBA granted a special permit to Castano to defend his title against Lara,” said Contursi of Castano, who, like Lara, is advised by Al Haymon. “We’ve been told by Al Haymon that it will happen hopefully in January.”

[Mexi-Box]

That's a 50-50 right there. Lean towards the younger Castano, though. I think Castano was the only one to have beaten Derevyanchenko in WSB.

[Ruthless-RKO]

That's a 50-50 right there. Lean towards the younger Castano, though. I think Castano was the only one to have beaten Derevyanchenko in WSB.

He’s beating plenty top names in the ams..

It was either this or Lara vs. Julian Williams.

[Mexi-Box]

That's a 50-50 right there. Lean towards the younger Castano, though. I think Castano was the only one to have beaten Derevyanchenko in WSB.

He’s beating plenty top names in the ams..

It was either this or Lara vs. Julian Williams.

If Lara had anything left, Williams would've lost wide. Castano is a better fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Shame this fight hasn’t been made yet:

[Ruthless-RKO]

Cuban southpaw Erislandy Lara has “a must-win fight” with Argentina’s WBA “regular” 154-pound champion Brian Carlos Castano, a hammer-fisted 29-year-old brawler he could meet in an early spring bout confirmed to be in the works by their respective mangers, Sebastian Contursi and Luis DeCubas Jr.

The 35-year-old Lara (25-3-2, 14 KOs) lost a 154-pound unification against Jarrett Hurd (23-0, 16 KOs) in his last fight April at Barclays Center in New York, being floored in the final round of a split-decision that added Lara’s WBA “super” world championship to the IBF version Hurd already owned.

Lara will try to regain a version of his crown from Castano (15-0, 11 KOs), who is coming off a 12th-round TKO of southpaw Cedric Vitu for his second defense in March.

“I would have to say this is a must-win fight for me, but I’m confident in my abilities and preparation going in to this fight,” said Lara, who lost his status as the junior middleweight division’s longest reigning champion.

“A win against a younger fighter like Castano will let everyone in boxing know that I’m still an elite fighter, one who will regain his world champion status in the near future.”

“I’ve fought some very talented fighters during my career, and, to be honest, some say I should be undefeated. But a few bad decisions didn’t go my way, and here I am,” said Lara.

“I’ve been in some of the biggest fights in boxing to go along with my extensive amateur career. I’ve been here and done that already, and when it’s all said and done, my resume speaks for itself, so all of the pressure is on [Castano.]”

Castano went 181-5-5 as an amateur, along the way defeating current 147-pound champion Errol Spence, 2012 Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao, and, in the World Series of Boxing, Sergey Derevyanchenko, October's split-decision loser to Daniel Jacobs in a clash for the IBF’s vacant 160-pound world title.

“This won’t be an easy fight. Castano is a very talented fighter who is very big for the division, and yes, he’s dangerous. He’s never tasted defeat, so he doesn’t know what it’s like to lose,” said Lara.

“He’s got some power and he’s fought some of the best fighters while in the amateurs, but he’s never been in the ring with a fighter like me. I feel I have at least three to five more years left in me. I still feel young.”

[Skalamanga]

Castano is gonna whoop Lara's overrated boring ass into retirement.

[Mexi-Box]

Castano is gonna whoop Lara's overrated boring ass into retirement.

I hope so. I can't stand Lara or his style.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The previously confirmed super welterweight title fight between “regular” WBA champion Brian Castano and former “Super” champion Erislandy Lara will take place on March 2nd at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, according to La Nacion.

[Best Coast]

The previously confirmed super welterweight title fight between “regular” WBA champion Brian Castano and former “Super” champion Erislandy Lara will take place on March 2nd at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, according to La Nacion.

Huge step up for Castano!! If he beats Lara he clearly has the goods.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former 154-pound world champion Erislandy Lara seeks to return to the championship ranks when the Cuban star challenges undefeated contender Brian Castaño for his WBA Super Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, March 2 live on SHOWTIME and presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage of the PBC event begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features another Cuban star in top heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz as he clashes with Christian Hammer in a 10-round co-featured bout. In the opening bout of the tripleheader, hard-hitting Ricardo Núñez takes on rugged veteran Edner Cherry in a 12-round super featherweight opener.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale Friday, January 18 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Saturday, January 19. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

[Cent0089]

according to boxrec, Castano height is 185 cm. I am sure it is not true

[jamamb]

he is about 5'7- 5'8

if u see ppl calling him 6'1 they probably havent seen him fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

[jamamb]

with castano being a bit under the radar im disappointed there arent better odds on him, hes a good fighter and the time may be right to upset lara

ive followed castano for a few years, a real good fighter, he handily beat derev in wsb and also did it to soro in france, no way that shouldve been a split

[Oiky]

I rate Lara,he's boring,but highly skilled,but I've got castano winning this

[Ruthless-RKO]

Undercard will be streamed by Showtime.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Fightnight Scores]

Are we all thinking that last fight may have done some damage to Lara??

Castano is the underdog in the betting so might be tempting to have a gamble on him being the younger hungrier fighter to get the win over the wily elder statesman.

Lara has had some might close decisions go against him in Williams and Canelo, and likely would have beaten Hurd if he'd managed to not go down in that last round! His record would look so much different now had he won those!

[jamamb]

castano is a good fighter, ya i think the trajectories work towards his favor, im not sure hell win but i think hes in with a shout

[Ruthless-RKO]

Weights from Brooklyn, New York for Saturday night’s Showtime tripleheader from Barclays Center: Brian Castano 154 pounds, Erislandy Lara 153.5 (for Castano’s secondary junior middleweight title); Luis Ortiz 238.75, Christian Hammer 257.5; Bryan De Gracia 124.75, Eduardo Ramirez 125.75 (featherweight title eliminator).

[Ruthless-RKO]

[ironbeard]

If Castano was simply a brawler, like many who have not followed him very closely describe him, he would have at least one, if not more losses already. He would not have amassed the impressive amateur record that he did, knocking off very skilled opponents that have become successful professionals.

The foundation of Castano’s success is built on a solid skillset. He has excellent footwork, including lateral movement and strategic retreat when warranted. He is sneaky good both off the back foot and at slipping inside. It is a requirement given his Lemieux level arm length and 5’7” stature.

That footwork, combined with a very tight guard, equally good yet subtle head movement, and (up to now) a very solid chin, make him a tough opponent to discourage. He is surprisingly elusive on the inside, and just when an opponent thinks they have him on the run or cornered he retaliates, especially after getting caught.

What makes him most dangerous v Lara is his innate ring awareness, including his ability to outscore his opponent with possibly his best attribute; his great combinations. While he has scored eleven KOs in fifteen fights, most were against early, much lesser opponents. He has not shown special power. His shots do tend to have cumulative value, but (most importantly) he outscores his opponent with effective varied combo attacks from angles.

Lara may well be a bridge too far for Castano, but I like his chances to outwork Lara and score a close decision victory.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Soro and Vitu are good names for his record. If he can follow that up and defeat Lara.. he’ll be on to much better fights.

Lara is a big stepping stone though.

[marvelous marv]

Undercard being streamed on youtube