BoxRec

Rematch between Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano for junior middleweight championship rescheduled for May 14, sources say

The Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano rematch for the undisputed junior middleweight championship has been rescheduled for May 14 on Showtime, sources told ESPN.

The 154-pound bout for all four titles was set for March 19 in Los Angeles but was postponed after Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) sustained a minor right biceps tear. The injury, sources said, occurred last month when Castano, 32, was accidently elbowed in the arm by junior middleweight Terrell Gausha.

Castano will resume sparring in approximately two weeks, his manager, Sebastian Contoursi, told ESPN.

Gausha was preparing for a fight with Tim Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, on the undercard. The WBO called for Castano to defend his title against mandatory challenger Tszyu rather than face Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) after the postponement, but PBC was able to appease the Australian and the Puerto Rico-based organization with an impromptu March 26 Showtime card in Minneapolis headlined by Tszyu-Gausha, sources said.

PBC also had to satisfy Main Events, which promotes Bakhram Murtazaliev, the mandatory challenger to Charlo's IBF title (he also holds the WBA and WBA belts). Murtazaliev will once again receive step-aside money to allow Charlo to compete in a more meaningful fight, sources said.

The WBO pushed for Charlo-Castano to take place no later than April 30, but the boxing schedule is stacked from April 16 through May 7; May 14 was the earliest viable date. The organization finally approved the title fight late Thursday evening.

The rematch was set to take place at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, but with multiple NBA teams and an NHL team that could potentially have playoff games, there's no location finalized at this time.

When Charlo and Castano first met in July, they produced an exhilarating fight worthy of the undisputed championship. Castano appeared to deserve the decision but was forced to settle for a draw in a highly controversial verdict.

One judge scored the fight for Castano, 114-113, while another turned in a puzzling 117-111 scorecard for Charlo. A third judge scored it 114-114.

Charlo is 1-0 in rematches. The 31-year-old Texan's only pro defeat came via disputed decision against Tony Harrison in 2018. One year later, Charlo exacted revenge with an 11th-round KO. The twin brother of middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, Jermell is ESPN's No. 2 junior middleweight.

Castano, who is training in Southern California but resides in Argentine, won the title with a unanimous-decision victory over Patrick Teixeira in February 2021. ESPN's No. 1 junior middleweight also drew with Erislandly Lara in one of the best fights of 2019.

Won't be at the Crypto.com arena (Staples)..

This is likely due because Lakers or Angels I think it is might be in the play offs.

Charlo Was Unhappy With Drug Testing For First Castano Fight

Jermell Charlo is none too pleased with how the proceedings of his upcoming rematch with Brian Castano has thus far played out.

The 154-pound full unification clash pitting Charlo’s WBA, WBC, and IBF titles against Castano’s WBO belt, was supposed to take place March 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, but Castano ended up suffering a right biceps injury, forcing him to withdraw. The fight, as BS.com previously reported, has been rescheduled for May 14 on Showtime, although the venue has not yet been determined. Their first bout, which took place last July at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, ended in a somewhat controversial split decision draw.

Charlo said he was suspicious of the timing of Castano’s injury because it came just days after he made a forceful appeal to his representatives to make sure there was stringent drug testing.

“I asked for legal drug testing,” Charlo told Brian Custer on The Last Stand Podcast. “I asked them to [take a] drug test on Tuesday and then, all of a sudden, on a Thursday, he pulls out [of] the fight.

“I was told to be quiet. Sorry, I can’t be quiet. Can’t be quiet when [I’m] holding all these belts in the back and you know your life is on the life and your family cares, so then I started thinking like, ‘Hold on, I must speak up.’”

“Y’all wanted me to sit down and be quiet and not train for a fight coming up?” Charlo added. “They wanted me to be quiet and not say anything about all of these things.”

Charlo’s displeasure has been mounting for a while. The Houstonian relayed that he was disappointed in his handlers – Premier Boxing Champions and the WBC sanctioning body – ahead of the first Castano bout when he found out that drug testing was noticeably lax.

“We only drug tested one time and that was before I asked,” Charlo recalled “I asked one of Al Haymon’s advisors, or people that represent Al Haymon, like ‘Hey, why ain’t we being drug tested this whole camp. The whole camp nobody came.’ You know what they told me? ‘Hey, Charlo you were supposed to request for that a month ago.’

"Never have I requested for a drug test. Months and months go by. [The Jeison] Rosario fight [in 2020], [the Erickson] Lubin fight [in 2017], my whole career being number one in the WBC. WBC, I’m mad at ya’ll, because y’all said y’all a clean sport and if anybody fights for y’all title you ‘ll make sure they're protected. We barely drug tested for the last fight.”

One consolation for Charlo is that he said he has received assurance that the rematch will feature much more accountability on the drug testing front. Charlo spoke to his advisor, Al Haymon of PBC, who Charlo said promised him that drug testing protocol would be ramping up for the rematch.

“I knew it was a month approaching [the original date of the rematch] and I contacted a bunch of people, and said 'hey, can y’all please make sure y’all doing the proper drug testing?’” Charlo said.

“I spoke with Al Haymon personally yesterday. He said drug testing will be heavy and it will be in-depth. “So I trust Al. Al is my guy. If you know Al personally like I know him, he leads you to the victory and that’s it.”

While the 31-year-old Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) did not go so far as to claim that 32-year-old Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) used banned substances, he did not shy from insisting that the actions of the Argentinian and his team seem rife with dubious intentions.

“These guys are from Argentina,” Charlo said. “Not to talk bad about Argentina. But when you know that the risk is very high and that your reward might be a little low, you’ll try to find every type of way to take an advantage. If you can't beat me that way, you’ll try to beat me this way.

"He ain’t taller than me, his reach ain’t longer than me, we the same age, [our] weight the same – I’m literally thinking logical. I’m losing my mind trying to figure it out. That's why my coach says don’t believe in these conspiracy theories, but I’m believing like a warrior, I’m believing like a real lion in this situation.

"I don’t believe he did PED, and if he did, you can take steroids for six months, six weeks, and let that go through your system, rehydrate, wash it out, get it clear, before they start testing you. I asked to be tested more than once, more than once in this situation with Brian Castano. I've spoken out about us being tested. I’m a clean fighter...I believe personally he didn't sustain the injury that he did."

Another issue that still sticks in Charlo’s craw is the commotion that took place the day before the night of the first fight. Sebastian Contursi, the manager of Castano, took issue with Charlo’s gloves, leading to a brief standoff that was eventually quelled. Adding to the drama was the shouting match that took place between Contursi and Charlo at the weigh-in.

Charlo also lamented the money he spent on his camp and how the postponement derailed his preparation to drive a large contingent of his supporters to Los Angeles.

“They’re still complaining about my gloves,” Charlo said. “They making me come and talk like this. Now we [were] deep in camp, I’m sparring and training, I'm getting my tour bus wrapped up here. I’m spending my money on sparring partners, training… I have [trainer] Derrick James coming in and out of town. We’re all spending money.”

Espinoza: We Were Thrilled To Keep Charlo-Castano Rematch On Showtime, Biggest Non-PPV Card Of The Year

“We’re thrilled that we were able to keep it on Showtime,” Stephen Espinoza, president of sports and event programming for Showtime Networks Inc. noted during Tuesday’s unveiling of the network’s upcoming boxing schedule. “This will be the biggest non-pay-per-view card of the year. It’s certainly the most meaningful.

“It’s an undisputed fight along with an interesting and meaningful welterweight eliminator as the co-feature. A third fight is going to be added.”

----

“This is a good test for Ennis,” noted Espinoza. “People have been saying it looks too easy for Boots. We’ve been stepping up his competition. He’s been meeting the challenge and he has a big challenge in Clayton.”

Ennis Clayton is something i am looking for. If Ennis can handle him like he did with Lipinets, bring very top names !!!

Cent0089 wrote: ↑16 Mar 2022, 13:54 Ennis Clayton is something i am looking for. If Ennis can handle him like he did with Lipinets, bring very top names !!!

I doubt if Boots is on either Crawford or Spence's radar. They'll both move up before fighting him. Especially Spence, melting down to 147 after walking around in the 170's will take it's toll.

Bandog wrote: ↑19 Mar 2022, 21:36

Cent0089 wrote: ↑16 Mar 2022, 13:54 Ennis Clayton is something i am looking for. If Ennis can handle him like he did with Lipinets, bring very top names !!!

I doubt if Boots is on either Crawford or Spence's radar. They'll both move up before fighting him. Especially Spence, melting down to 147 after walking around in the 170's will take it's toll.

Ennis can move too. No place to hide

Press Release | Showtime Tripleheader Official

Unified WBC, WBA and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo and WBO World Champion Brian Castano will meet in a rematch of one of 2021’s most significant fights as again seek to become the first ever undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event. Charlo vs. Castano II was previously announced to take place on March 19, but was rescheduled after Castano suffered an arm injury in training.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature rising welterweight star and pound-for-pound talent Jaron “Boots” Ennis dueling unbeaten Canadian Olympian Custio Clayton in an IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event. Kicking off the telecast, Mexican contender Kevin Gonzalez puts his unbeaten record on the line against Puerto Rico’s Emanuel Rivera in a 10-round super bantamweight attraction.

In an instant classic, Charlo and Castano went toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds on July 17, 2021 on SHOWTIME, with the back-and-forth tilt ending in a split-decision draw. Each fighter believed they had done enough to have their hand raised in the first fight and will look to leave no doubt in the rematch.

Houston’s Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) became a unified champion in September 2020, dropping Jeison Rosario three times on his way to an eighth-round knockout that earned him the WBA and IBF titles. Before that fight, Charlo had avenged the only loss of his career, as he reclaimed his WBC belt via an 11th-round knockout of Tony Harrison in one of 2019’s best fights. The 31-year-old is trained by Derrick James in Dallas and won his first world title in his debut fight with James by scoring an eighth-round knockout of John Jackson in 2016. He followed up that victory with three successful defenses, knocking out Erickson Lubin and Charles Hatley, and winning a decision over former world champion Austin Trout. Charlo returns to the same stadium where he won his first 12-round fight in a victory over Demetrius Hopkins in 2013.

“I’m the unified champ and I’ve got business to finish,” said Charlo. “My total goal as a kid was to win all of the belts as a professional and I plan to make history yet again on May 14, in front of my west coast fans and all across the world. If you know me, you know how I don’t take opportunities lightly - Lions Only, the time is now! Make sure you tune-in May 14.”

The 32-year-old Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) put on a spectacular performance to capture the WBO title in February 2021, as he dominated Patrick Teixeira to wrest the belt away via unanimous decision. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a win for Castano on May 14 would be a monumental achievement in the storied history of Argentine boxing. Prior to winning his title, Castano fought to a draw against two-division world champion Erislandy Lara in a 2019 action fight. He also owns triumphs over Michel Soro, Cedric Vitu and Wale Omotoso. A highly experienced amateur, Castaño notched victories over unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and top middleweight Sergiy Derevyanchenko before he turned pro.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to face Charlo again for all four titles,” said Castano. “This is champion vs. champion, just like it should be. The first fight was a great war. The rematch will be no different, but this time I won’t leave it in the judges’ hands. This is my era, and I will prove it.”

Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs) is the latest in the pantheon of outstanding Philadelphia fighters, combining sublime boxing skills with natural power in both hands. After numerous appearances on SHOBOX: The New Generation, the 24-year-old Ennis graduated to headlining his first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast in April 2021, as he became the first fighter to stop former world champion Sergey Lipinets. He followed up that performance with an impressive first-round stoppage of veteran contender Thomas Dulorme in October. The knockout victory gave Ennis 18 KOs in his last 19 fights, with the only blemish being a no-decision in the first round against Chris van Heerden in December 2020.

“I can’t wait for this fight,” said Ennis. “This one means a lot to me. This is another step towards becoming a world champion. My time is now. Camp is going great, and I can’t wait to shine and put on a spectacular performance come May 14. It’s time for me to continue making big statements.”

A 2012 Canadian Olympian, Clayton (19-0-1, 12 KOs) fights out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada and will compete in the U.S. for the third straight time on May 14. The 34-year-old impressed in his U.S. debut in 2020, stepping in as a late replacement to fight former world champion Sergey Lipinets to a draw on SHOWTIME. Clayton most recently earned a 10-round unanimous decision over Cameron Krael in December 2021. He also owns 2019 victories over former champion DeMarcus Corley and Johan Perez, in addition to a 12-round decision win over then unbeaten Stephen Danyo in 2018.

“I love challenges and I know that I have a real one on May 14 against Jaron Ennis,” said Clayton. “That’s why I’m in this sport, to fight the best. When I prove myself against Ennis, nobody is going to be able to deny me a shot at the belts.”

The 24-year-old Gonazlez (24-0-1, 13 KOs) will step in for his U.S. debut when he challenges Rivera on May 14 in Carson. A native of Sinaloa, Mexico, Gonzlez has fought professionally since 2016, and owns a unanimous decision over former title challenger Ivan Morales in March 2021. Gonzalez won a regional 122-pound title by stopping Alexander Mejia in July 2021, finishing the fight in round seven. Most recently, Gonzalez scored a first-round TKO over Antonio Guzman in December 2021.

"I am very happy to be fighting on a card of this magnitude," said Gonzalez. "To have my debut in the U.S. be on this stage, it is an opportunity that I have to take advantage of. No matter who my opponent is, I will always be ready and at my best. I am going to show everyone that I'm ready for the champions."

Representing his native Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Rivera (19-2, 12 KOs) looks to make it three-straight victories on May 14. The 32-year-old put together a 12-fight winning streak between 2011 and 2017 before dropping a decision to then unbeaten Nate Green. Rivera returned to action after that fight in July 2021, winning a unanimous decision over Jonathan Lecona Ramos in his U.S. debut. Most recently, he stopped Wallington Orobio in November 2021.

"I was training at the gym when my manager told me I was going to be in this card," said Rivera. "We never say no to any opponent that wants to fight me. I hope Gonzlez is at 100% too, because I want us to put on a show for the fans and I want to continue on my way to fight for a world title. This is an opportunity I can't let pass me by."

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

JERMELL CHARLO

“Everybody wants to know how the rematch will be different. I’m considered a puncher and a boxer, and I’m planning to bring some tricks out of the hat this time.

“I hate that I didn’t close out the first fight the way I should have. I’m going to be better, faster, stronger, and more relentless in this fight. I’m going to be the old-school Jermell Charlo.

“You don’t give people like me opportunities again. I’ve fought for my whole life. I know that I have to seize this opportunity. I’m dead focused and laser-sharp. I’ve been grinding since before his bicep injury. He gave me time to prepare my body. While he was playing games, I’ve been getting better. I’m going to have him hurting and crying. This isn’t about Castaño, this is about Jermell Charlo.

“I want to step up to the plate and be greater than I’ve ever been. I didn’t come this far to give up or let somebody like this come beat me. I know the mistakes that I made in the first fight and I’m ready to cross the ‘t’s’ and dot the ‘i’s’ on them.

“I’ve fought at this venue before. I’m not worried about the crowd. He knows that when we’re in there, it’s just me and him. I’m an evolved and more focused Jermell Charlo. I’m ready to go, straight up.

“I just want to show the world why the Charlo twins are where we’re at. I’ve been doing this way longer than Castaño. I’m going to let him keep thinking it’s cool, but he’s going to find out what it’s really like on May 14.

“His power isn’t important to me. I don’t care if he’s stronger now. It’s about skills and everyone is going to find out what the deal is on May 14.

“I thought I won the first fight, period. I hurt him way more. He may have edged a few rounds. I won the early rounds of the fight and the late rounds of the fight.

“I know I’m on a whole other level than he is and I’m going to present myself when it’s time. On May 14 I’m going to be peaking. I’m going to let him keep talking because I’m going to be dangerous in this fight.

“Everyone knows what I possess in the ring. I’m comfortable through the storm. I was made for this and bred for this. I’m comfortable being in this situation.”

BRIAN CASTAÑO

“Charlo knows that he’s going to have his hands full and that I won the first fight. I like to do my talking inside the ring, but I will say that I’m a warrior and I’m going to show that I’m worthy of this victory. I don’t care what Charlo says, I’m going to be ready for whatever comes my way.

“I want the knockout. I need it and I crave it. That’s my chance to redeem myself and prove that I should have won the first fight outright. I went into his home state and turned the crowd against him.

“I want the respect that I’m warranted and that I should be given from him. The first fight was a close fight, but the second fight is going to be even worse for him because I’m knocking him out.

“This is what every fighter dreams of. This is what we all set out to do. You build your legacy fight by fight, then you get an opportunity like this and you have to make the most of it. I want to show people around the world that I’m a winner.

“It’s all about me and him inside of the ring. I’m going to make him pay for everything he said and everything that happened in the first fight. I’m going to break him and I’m going to make him suffer.

“I watched the entire first fight from beginning to end and I studied it. I thought that I won by one or two points. I won the fight in the key moments enough where I should have come out with the win.

“The bicep injury occurred during a sparring session and I had to stop everything for a while. Charlo was saying lots of things about it and all I was trying to do during that time was recover. After coming back from that, I’m so happy because everything has been perfect physically. I feel better than ever going into May 14.

“This is going to be an electrifying fight. My only objective is to walk out of there with four belts. You won’t want to miss two fighters leaving it all on the line in the ring.

“A victory will make my dream come true. When you’re in the prime of your career and you have a chance like this, you just can’t let it go. I have the opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it.”

Press Release | Charlo vs. Castano: "Round By Round" To Debut on Showtime Extreme

International Boxing Hall of Fame analyst, Showtime boxing historian and unofficial scorer Steve Farhood breaks down the epic first match between WBC, WBA and IBF 154-pound World Champion Jermell Charlo and WBO World Champion Brian Castano for the undisputed super welterweight world championship that ended in a controversial split-decision draw in Charlo vs. Castaño: Round by Round, which premieres on Monday, May 2 at 11:05 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will also be available to non-subscribers on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel.

The initial encounter on July 17, 2021, at AT&T Center in San Antonio was hailed as an instant classic and Fight of the Year candidate. It was also just the first time in the history of the sport that a 154-pound unification bout ended in a draw, and only the eighth time ever that a unification fight ended in a stalemate.

Charlo-Castaño I: Round by Round revisits all the drama, tension and controversy from the 12-round bout, with Farhood analyzing the judges’ scores and reviewing his own after each round. The outcome set the stage for the highly anticipated rematch on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME in another effort to crown the first-ever undisputed 154-pound male champion in the four-belt era. Charlo vs. Castaño II headlines an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

The Showtime telecast of the rematch begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features rising welterweight star Jaron “Boots” Ennis taking on Canadian Olympian Custio Clayton in an IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, plus Mexican contender Kevin González facing Puerto Rico’s Emanuel Rivera in a 10-round super bantamweight attraction to kick off the tripleheader.

The Charlo vs. Castaño rematch will come nine months after they went toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds that was punctuated by the aggressiveness of Castaño and the defensive and counter-punching abilities of Charlo. The three judges that night - Nelson Vazquez of Puerto Rico, Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey and Tim Cheatham of Nevada all saw the fight somewhat differently,

Vazquez scored it 117-111 for Charlo (9-3); Weisfeld 114-113 for Castaño (7-5) and Cheatham 114-114 even (6-6). They agreed on eight of the 12 rounds, with Charlo winning five of those, Castaño three and Farhood agreeing on seven of the frames. Charlo rallied late, winning the final three rounds on all the judges’ scorecards, even earning a 10-8 score in the tenth from Weisfeld, while Farhood gave Charlo the final four rounds.

Castaño had success when he pressured and pinned Charlo against the ropes and landed a sneaky-quick right hand, while Charlo had some of his finest moments in the center of the ring with his long jab and footwork dictating the action. Charlo usually started the round well, only for Castaño to close fast with his best moments in the latter stages of the frame.

As far as punch statistics, Castaño led in total power-punches connected (164-98), Charlo won the battle of the jabs (53-9) and Castaño landed more total punches (173-151), according to SHO Stats. It all added up to an inconclusive but fascinating outcome, one that warranted a thorough review and begged for a rematch, which will happen May 14 on SHOWTIME.

“I’ve often said that the most difficult fights to score are the ones in which the fighters are trying to do very different things and are using different methods and strategies,” Farhood says in the video. “In this fight Charlo was cast as the boxer, but he showed the one punch power to hurt Castaño. Castaño was cast as the pressure fighter but at times he showed the patience and the ability to fight cleverly at range. Add the stakes, the quality of the boxing and the fact that all along you sensed the difference on the cards could be only a round or two, and the fight was elevated even further.”

This weekend!

No UK tv on this one ?

MightyWarrior wrote: ↑10 May 2022, 04:20 No UK tv on this one ?

Watch this space.. Could be announced anytime soon.

Surprisingly little hype to this fight here. Undisputed on the line, fight between two best guys in the division

Cent0089 wrote: ↑10 May 2022, 15:36 Surprisingly little hype to this fight here. Undisputed on the line, fight between two best guys in the division

Did the first fight get a lot of attention?

Cent0089 wrote: ↑10 May 2022, 15:36 Surprisingly little hype to this fight here. Undisputed on the line, fight between two best guys in the division

Both Charlos killed their own hype, and Castano will never, ever be a draw. They had a great fight, though, and I'll be watching.

Mexi-Box wrote: ↑10 May 2022, 23:12

Cent0089 wrote: ↑10 May 2022, 15:36 Surprisingly little hype to this fight here. Undisputed on the line, fight between two best guys in the division

Both Charlos killed their own hype, and Castano will never, ever be a draw. They had a great fight, though, and I'll be watching.

Especially Jermall.

At least Jermell’s fought some decent opponents at his weight class.

Jermall-Castano winner should challenge Spence.

I'm rooting for Castano but if Mell beats Castano clearly I'll be ok with that.

apollo creed wrote: ↑11 May 2022, 03:42 Jermall-Castano winner should challenge Spence.

I'm rooting for Castano but if Mell beats Castano clearly I'll be ok with that.

Mell ain’t fighting Spence.

Fight Picks

Here’s how the experts see it: THE RING MAGAZINE/RINGTV.COM

TOM GRAY: CHARLO UD

“The fight should come down to who adjusts best from their first bout, but something tells me that Castaño has lost his chance to become undisputed forever. He could easily have got the decision last time, but it was not to be. He’s now back on enemy territory for the second time and securing a points win will be just as arduous. I foresee another close fight and the scoring will be uncomfortably wide in Charlo’s favor.”

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: CHARLO SD

“In the first fight Castaño fought the fight of his life and appeared to do enough to win. Charlo on the other hand wasn’t at his best and it showed. The Texan is a hot and cold fighter, we don’t know which one will turn up until fight night. I suspect Castaño will bring his usual brand of pressure but Charlo will be a little more switched on having shared a ring with the hard-charging Argentinean. We’ll get another close and possibly controversial result. I think Charlo edges things by razor thin split decision.”

LEE GROVES: CASTAÑO UD

“The key to this fight will be how Castaño performs in the early rounds. If he establishes strong momentum in the opening minutes, he tends to stay at that level for the remainder of the fight, but if Charlo can keep Castaño in check, he’ll receive the breathing room he needs to operate the way he wants. I believe Charlo fought closer to his best in the first fight than Castaño did based on their statistical histories, yet many people thought Castaño was at least very competitive with Charlo and more than a few thought he should have won. Also, since the fight will be staged at a more neutral site than Charlo’s home state of Texas (Los Angeles), the Argentine may also get a better shake from the judges. Castaño 12-round unanimous decision.”

MARTY MULCAHEY: CASTAÑO MD

“In making my predictions for their initial meeting I tabbed Jermell Charlo the winner by majority decision, but said bettors “should look into the draw proposition”… which was the judges’ final decision. This time I am reversing my opinion, despite my belief Charlo has a better skill set and can improve more. However, Castaño just has Charlo’s number in my opinion. Castaño showed the ability to time and counter Charlo, at times even beating him to the punch, and in a close fight that will turn on the finest of margins Castaño’s earned confidence is the deciding factor. It could be tricky for judges again, so I will go with a majority decision win for Castaño on the strength of a championship round flash knockdown.”

MICHAEL MONTERO: CHARLO UD

“In the first bout, Charlo started off slow but finished strong, winning the championship rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. I believe that he “found something” late in that fight. This time around, I expect the Texan to start faster. My sense is that Charlo will make enough adjustments to carry a decision win over Castaño in their highly-anticipated rematch. Charlo 116-112, unanimous decision.”

NORM FRAUENHEIM: CHARLO TKO 10

“Brian Castaño has vowed not to let the rematch go to the scorecards for a second time. The Argentine, forced to settle for a draw in a fight many thought he had won, has enough power to fulfill the promise. But Charlo knows that. Charlo also knows how to adjust. He’s 1-0 in rematches. His lone loss was a controversial decision to Harrison in 2018. A year later, he got some revenge with an 11th-round stoppage of Harrison. Look for him to do more of the same against Castaño.”

DIEGO MORILLA: CASTAÑO KO 9

“If there is someone who realizes the importance of getting it right this time, it’s Castaño. In spite of his numerous health issues, he is a strong and relentless fighter who could defeat any fighter in his division on a good night. And he’s training hard enough to have a very good night. Reports from his camp tell the story of a zero-distraction policy and a superb physical condition ahead of what could easily end up being the biggest fight in his career. The dramatic back-and-forth that took place in the first fight will happen again, but Castaño will press hard enough in one of those moments to score a dramatic stoppage towards the end of the fight.”

BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): CHARLO TKO

“Rarely does a return fight match up to the first fight but I can’t see how Charlo-Castaño 2 can’t live up to their first meeting, with everything up for grabs. I see Charlo raising his game. Taking nothing away from Castaño but he’s had his night and boxed the fight of his life in their first fight. I think Charlo will be more aggressive this time around and not get backed up as much, landing his trademark right hand and will win inside the distance, in around nine or 10 rounds.”

LIAM SMITH (LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER): CASTAÑO SD

“I thought Castaño won the first one. I feel Charlo might come with a bit of a different and better edge to himself. He knows Castaño is a proper fighter and I do see it being very close again. I just think Castaño is a little bit fresher at 154, I think Charlo has outgrown the weight and it’s starting to show in his performances. I pick Castaño to edge it on points. It probably will be split decision.”

CAMILLE ESTEPHAN (PROMOTER, EYE OF THE TIGER): CHARLO UD

“Charlo will probably come out a little faster in the second fight with a bit more urgency especially using his right hand earlier on. Although I think it will be another very tough fight, I see Charlo winning this one by unanimous decision, he has size and power advantage.”

RAUL MARQUEZ (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/COMMENTATOR): CHARLO UD

“Charlo needs to control distance and keep the fight in center of ring. Castaño knows one way that’s coming forward. Pressure and more pressure. This fight will be a barnburner I’m going with Charlo by close unanimous decision.”

KATHY DUVA (PROMOTER, MAIN EVENTS): CHARLO PTS

“Charlo should win this one by decision. As long as he boxes intelligently and doesn’t fall into the trap of trading with Castaño like he did the first time they met, Charlo should come away with the win. He has everything he needs to win this fight.”

JOLENE MIZZONE (MANAGER): CASTAÑO

“I don’t think that Charlo will make any adjustments from the last fight and I think that Castaño will make adjustments. I think Charlo is looking beyond Castaño and that is going to hurt him in this fight. If I am wrong and Charlo does make adjustments he can win this fight, but I don’t think he will. Castaño split decision or TKO 10.”

ROBERT DIAZ (MATCHMAKER, GOLDEN BOY): CHARLO UD

“Who can make the adjustments and improve from the first fight. I believe we didn’t see the best version of Jermell as he might have taken Castaño lightly. Castaño will be ​non-stop in your face. Jermell will have to stay of the ropes and keep the fight in the center of the ring while using his height and reach, box and keep Castaño outside. In the end, Charlo wins a 12-round unanimous decision.”

RUDY HERNANDEZ (TRAINER): CASTAÑO UD

“We get a second chance to see another interesting fight. The boxing fans were so high on Charlo barely anyone gave Castaño a chance in the first fight. Castaño beat [Patrick] Teixeira and looked OK doing so but when he fought Charlo, he looked just a little better. Castaño seems to do just do enough. I believe if he came into the ring with the destroyer mentality, he could be one of the great ones, but that’s not him. I was more impressed with how he was able to adjust to styles put in front of him. Charlo has the talent, the will and the desire. This fight will be better than the first. They’ll pick up where they left off. Round 13. In another tough fight, Castaño beats Charlo by unanimous decision.”

MARC RAMSAY (TRAINER): CHARLO UD

“The first fight was excellent. I remember Castaño as an amateur and he was very good. Lots of people are overlooking Castaño, underestimating him but now that the surprise effect is over, I think Charlo should be able to adapt and have a better understanding of who he is facing. I see Charlo wining a unanimous decision.”

ALEX STEEDMAN (COMMENTATOR): CHARLO PTS

“This may depend on who learned most from the first fight or perhaps who has the capacity to make their style prevail. Charlo seemed to have the fight under control so the question is: did Castaño unnerve him or was it a lack of something else? For sure Castaño has power and drive but he can be outboxed, and I think Charlo can do that more comfortably this time. Charlo by decision.”

VICTOR SILVA (TV ANALYST): CASTAÑO UD

“We had a great fight before and now that they know each other, I think it will be even better. Desire will be most of what we see here and handling the distance will be the most important issue. I believe Castaño will not make the same mistakes and will win by unanimous decision.”

KALLE SAUERLAND (PROMOTER, WASSERMAN BOXING): CHARLO TKO

“I think Charlo will learn from his mistakes in the first fight. I don’t think he was boxing to his full ability and that he’ll learn more from the first fight than Castaño will have and I think he can up his game. I’m going Charlo, late stoppage.

WAYNE MCCULLOUGH (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ TRAINER): CASTAÑO

“What a fight Jermell Charlo and Brian Castaño gave the first time around. Now, in the rematch for the undisputed junior middleweight championship, Charlo could do more damage when he gets the room to punch. He showed that last time with his long accurate left jabs and hard straight rights to Castaño’s head. Castaño is non-stop with constant pressure for 12-rounds and can hit hard. They hurt each other last time around and I think this time will be much of the same. They’ll land hurtful punches but they’ll recover and fight back. I believe Castaño will pile on more pressure than last time and stay even closer to Charlo and out work him to claim a points win. Even though this fight could change hands with one punch, I think Castaño will overcome and come away with the win.”

Final Tally: Charlo 12-8

California Commission Approves Judges, Referee

Brian Castano and Jermell Charlo now know who will officially score their immediate rematch Saturday night.

Boxing Scene has learned that the California State Athletic Commission, after careful consideration, has assigned three American judges to score their 12-round, 154-pound title fight at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Connecticut’s Glenn Feldman, Oklahoma’s David Sutherland and California’s Zachary Young will score Castano-Charlo, the main event of a “Showtime Championship Boxing” tripleheader.

California’s Jerry Cantu has been selected as the referee for a fight that, barring another draw or a no-contest, will crown boxing’s first undisputed 154-pound champion of the sport’s four-belt era.

Buenos Aires’ Castano, 32, and Houston’s Charlo, 31, will fight for Charlo’s IBF, WBA and WBC championships and Castano’s WBO belt. Their first fight resulted in a controversial split draw last July 17 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, which placed even more emphasis than usual on the selection of judges for their 12-round rematch.

Feldman has judged four of Charlo’s championship bouts, including his eighth-round knockout of John Jackson in May 2016 at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Charlo trailed by the same score, 69-64, on the cards of Feldman, Burt Clements and Dave Moretti when he came back to knock out St. Thomas’ Jackson and won the then-vacant WBC super welterweight title.

Feldman had Charlo ahead 67-64 when he knocked out the Dominican Republic’s Jeison Rosario in the eighth round of their title unification fight in September 2020 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Two bouts before Charlo defeated Rosario, Charlo trailed 20-18 on Feldman’s card before he knocked out Mexico’s Jorge Cota in the third round of their June 2019 fight at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Feldman previously was assigned to Charlo’s mandated WBC title defense against Orlando’s Erickson Lubin, which Charlo won by first-round knockout in October 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Sutherland most recently had Charlo ahead of Tony Harrison, 96-93, when Charlo knocked out Detroit’s Harrison in the 11th round of their rematch in December 2019 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

Sutherland worked one Charlo bout before his rematch with Harrison. He scored Charlo a 58-56 winner of that six-rounder against Vito Gasparyan in August 2009 at Toyota Center in Houston.

Young has not judged any of Charlo’s 36 professional fights, but he scored Castano a 117-111 winner over Brazil’s Patrick Teixeira in their 12-round fight for Teixeira’s WBO 154-pound title in February 2021 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Neither Feldman nor Sutherland have judged any of Castano’s 19 professional fights.

Two judges, Nevada’s Tim Cheatham (114-114) and New Jersey’s Steve Weisfeld (114-113 for Castano), scored their closely contested fight accordingly July 17. The third judge, Puerto Rico’s Nelson Vazquez, oddly scored nine rounds for Charlo, 117-111.

Charlo won each of the last three rounds on all three scorecards to render the official result a split draw.

CompuBox credited Castano for landing only 22 more punches overall than Charlo (173-of-586 to 151-of-533). According to CompuBox’s unofficial statistics, Castano connected with more power punches (164-of-400 to 98-of-246) and Charlo landed more jabs (53-of-287 to 9-of-186).

Castano survived severe trouble during the 10th round, but he withstood Charlo’s power thereafter and finished their fight on strong legs.

This still not being picked up by any UK broadcastor or online platform?

Fightnight Scores wrote: ↑12 May 2022, 06:21 This still not being picked up by any UK broadcastor or online platform?

nothing yet.

the first one was on Fite..

Fite already have the Triller one, but they can have multiple card as its not gonna really class. you chose what you want.

Press Conference tonight