Brian Castano vs. Erislandy Lara - March 2, 2019

[lazboy]

Not sure how to score rd 5. Strong 30 second finish by Castano. Lara had some nice counters - one punch at a time. Very close.

[lazboy]

Some good counters, some good pot shots and one twos from Lara but Castano had strong burst throughout where he cornered and worked on Lara. He did the more damage. He gets r6.

Hes a very strong bull in there.

[lazboy]

Someone else will have to take over from my great rbr I need to go.

[squiggy]

It isn't an easy fight to score. My feeling is that Farhood has it right with Lara slightly up.

[armageto]

I have it 6-2 Lara. For me, the fight isn't as close as the announcers think it is.

[jamamb]

i stopped watching after 8 i had it 5-3 lara

[squiggy]

They are definitely talking up a lot of ineffective activity from Castano.

[armageto]

Castona made it close late, which I figured he would do against the older Lara.

Lara still wins it for me 115-113.

[armageto]

Could be anywhere from a draw to 116-112 Lara for me. I though for the most part, Cas...was just throwing just to throw. A lot of his work was blocked or mostly blocked, to me. His youth took over late.

Even if the judges were giving rounds just based off work rate, I don't think it's anything worse than a draw for Lara.

[armageto]

The cards:



115-113 Castano
115-113 Lara
114-114 DrW

[armageto]

Not impressed with Castona honestly.

[jamamb]

stopped watching it at 5-3 lara, if he did lose the last few i guess id have it around a draw too

[Best Coast]

My score agreed with Farhood...115-113 Lara.

Castano has a lot to learn and I dont think he will hold his title much longer!!

[jamamb]

tbf lara looked still sharp, im not sure theres more then a few guys better then him even now....very hard to look good against, even hurd was losing going into the last round

[EJA]

Castaño robbed

[jamamb]

lara with lots of close cards, all his 6 non wins were either sd, md, or draw

[armageto]

Castaño robbed

[Best Coast]

Castaño robbed

Not really...he took too many rounds off, for whatever reason. If he had sustained the body attack that he used in the 11th & 12th rounds (and a few other rounds) he could have won it. But he didnt...

[Best Coast]

lara with lots of close cards, all his 6 non wins were either sd, md, or draw

On the flip side...ALL of Lara's victories have been clearcut.

He has never won a close decision (although he was down on 2 judges scorecards when he stopped Angulo in the 10th).

[Onetimeonly]

I called the draw with my buddies in the 10th round and I don't think it was bad. Every round was close. Good fight after an horrendous UFC.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[JxhDel.]

I had it 115-114 for Castano, due to his pressure, but i am cool with the draw decision. Lara had neater shots and solid defense

[ironbeard]

lara with lots of close cards, all his 6 non wins were either sd, md, or draw

On the flip side...ALL of Lara's victories have been clearcut.

He has never won a close decision (although he was down on 2 judges scorecards when he stopped Angulo in the 10th).

True, but he really only has himself to blame, with the exceptions of the PWill fight, which Lara clearly and completely dominated, and the Gingerhead fight, which Lara deserved nothing less than a draw in, imo.

Erislandy has always been his own worst enemy, refusing to take the chances necessary to adequately differentiate himself in close combat.

[ironbeard]

Not impressed with Castona honestly.

I completely disagree.

Castano has maximized his potential at LMW. The kid is the size of a LWW (67” reach, 5’7”) and he has made himself a career out of getting in there with much larger men, out boxing them, and out working them.

A draw was just last night but it was Castano who made that fight, and it was Castano who finished stronger against one of the most skilled boxers in the sport who also had a 2” height and 8” reach advantage.

Castano has excellent boxing skills, and huge heart. I am very impressed by him.

[chuck9788]

Not impressed with Castona honestly.

I completely disagree.

Castano has maximized his potential at LMW. The kid is the size of a LWW (67” reach, 5’7”) and he has made himself a career out of getting in there with much larger men, out boxing them, and out working them.

A draw was just last night but it was Castano who made that fight, and it was Castano who finished stronger against one of the most skilled boxers in the sport who also had a 2” height and 8” reach advantage.

Castano has excellent boxing skills, and huge heart. I am very impressed by him.

I agree with Ironbeard. The reach advantage for Lara was tremendous. Still, Castano was able to penetrate through Lara's tough defense and get some decent work done inside. I was actually hoping for a draw when the 3rd scorecard was being announced by Jimmy Lennon Jr.