This fight lived up to all the expectations, but unfortunately, the outcome changes nothing in the junior middleweight division. Unified(IBF, WBC, & WBA) 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo and WBO 154-pound champion Brian Castano battled to a 12-round split decision draw in the main event from AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday night(Showtime).
After 12 rounds, the judge’s scores were split, with 117-111 for Charlo, 114-113 for Castano, and a 114-114 draw, ending the fight in a split-decision draw.
According to CompuBox, the 31-year-old Charlo landed 151 of 533 (28.3%) punches in the fight to Castano’s 173 of 586 (29.5%). Castano held a slight advantage in power punches, landing 164 of 400 (41%) to Charlo’s 98 of 246 (39.8%), while Charlo out-jabbed his opponent by a significant margin, landing 53 of 287 (18.5%) to Castano’s nine out of 186 (4.8%).
Both Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) and Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) did everything in their power to become the first-ever undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era, but they have to settle for a draw.
This was a back and forth affair, and both fighters tasted the other’s power. Castano, 31, was staggered by a counter left hook in the second. He returned the favor in the third, buckling Charlo with his own left hook toward the end of the frame.
“I hurt him way more than he did to me,” Charlo said after the fight. “Castano is a real warrior. But my power is serious at this weight division.”
“I won the fight,” said Castano. “There were some rounds that he did hit me, and he hit me hard. But I won this fight.”
Throughout the fight, Castano was able to get Charlo to the ropes and had a lot of success firing off combinations.
However, In the 10th, Charlo had Castano on shaky legs, and it appeared that he could have had a chance to stop Castano. Charlo hit Castaño with a left hook, which started the assault, but Castano survived.
“My coach told me I needed the knockout in the ninth round, and I just knew he knew what he was talking about,” said Charlo. “I trust my coach. This comes with boxing – wins, losses, and draws.”
“I was hurt in the 10th round, and I had to recoup,” said Castano. “Same with the beginning of the 11th round. But I did enough to win this fight. I hope I get the rematch. He is a great fighter. I need the rematch.”
Hopefully, these two guys will get it on again right away. This match had everything you want in a fight, and the fans deserve to see this again.
Regarding the 117-11 scorecard from judge Nelson Vazquez, that’s inexcusable. Clearly, he did not watch the fight. A draw is fine, and even having Charlo and Castano winning is okay as well, but not 117-111.
Photo: Amanda Wescott/SHOWTIME
