There’s one king at 154, and it’s Jermell Charlo. The Unified WBC, WBA and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo picked up the WBO title with a dramatic tenth-round KO of Brian Castaño in a rematch of their 2021 masterpiece to become the first ever undisputed male 154-pound champion in the four-belt era on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.
The bout, which was another Fight of the Year-type encounter, headlined a Premier Boxing Champions event before an announced crowd of 7,406.
Photo: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
The end came when Charlo (35-1-1, 18 KOs) dropped Castaño with a short, left hook as he was fighting off the ropes with around a minute left in the tenth. Castaño (17-1-2, 12 KOs) rose on unsteady legs and was allowed to continue and Charlo jumped on him, landing a vicious left to the head and body that caused Castaño to collapse and referee Jerry Cantu to wave off the bout at 2:33 of the tenth.
Saturday’s ending was reminiscent of the way Charlo closed his fight with Tony Harrison in their 2019 rematch when he KO’d Harrison in the 11th round after Harrison dethroned him in 2018.
Charlo, 31, is trained by Derrick James, who helped orchestrate Errol Spence Jr.’s 10th round stoppage of Yordenis Ugas to pick up a third welterweight title on April 16 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Charlo and Castaño went toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds the first time they fought on July 17, 2021 on SHOWTIME, with the back-and-forth tilt ending in a split-decision draw. Charlo didn’t leave it in the judges’ hands on Saturday.
“This is legacy,” Charlo said in the ring afterward. “This is something that is legendary. I’m a legend. I knew Castaño was going to give it his all. I knew I had trained very, very hard but you all can see that I came in at 152 pounds because I was really in shape, and I wanted to make sure that this was my fight.”
The rematch was previously announced to take place on March 19 but was rescheduled after Castaño suffered an arm injury in training. The delay angered Charlo, who accused Castaño of gamesmanship in the run-up.
But the two shook hands and praised the other’s tenacity on Saturday after sharing the ring for a combined 22 rounds.
“We showed that we are warriors,” Castaño said. “We both were fighting back-and-forth. He’s a champion. He hit me. He got me. But I’m okay.”
Castaño again caused the rematch to start later than scheduled when he arrived late to the arena on Saturday night, pushing back the start of the match. Instead of fighting angry and impatiently, Charlo produced a calm, clinically efficient and ultimately punishing performance.
“I don’t care about being late,” Charlo said. “I don’t care about who’s early. I knew once I got to this arena, and I’m fighting outside in this beautiful place, I had to get it on.”
Expecting Castaño to fight aggressively and apply pressure, Charlo boxed effectively off his back foot, utilizing a hard jab and a counter-left that repeatedly found its target, none more violently than the final moments of the match.
Just like the first match, Castaño again landed a number of overhand rights and was successful in spots with his constant pressure. The fight was again fought at a torrid pace with both fighters hurting the other. But just like in the first fight, when Charlo gathered strength as the fight went on and won the final three rounds on all the judges’ scorecards, Charlo again wrested control of the bout in the late stages on Saturday.
“I listened to my corner this time,” he said. “I got in my bag around the seventh round. I started sitting down a little bit more instead of boxing so much and moving around. I saw that he was wearing down a little bit and I was breaking him down. I just saw my punches being more effective. I get stronger in the later rounds if they didn’t know.”
‘Bad News’ Charles Conwell is picking Jermell Charlo to emerge as the undisputed super welterweight champion after his rematch with Brian Castano.
Conwell, one of the most talented contenders in the 154lbs division, believes Charlo will have too much variety for Argentina’s Castano in Carson on Saturday night.
The fight – which sees the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the line – is a rematch of their clash from July which ended in a split draw.
Photo: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
Former US Olympian Conwell, who returns to the ring on June 2, says as soon as the final bell sounded, he predicted the judges would be unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
But the unbeaten 24-year-old expects Charlo to be victorious this time, saying: “After the first fight, is it so difficult to choose a side but I feel like Charlo is more athletic, more able to come with a different style whereas Castano, I feel, has one style for size and his height.
“So, I feel like Charlo can be more unpredictable than Castano who is more predictable. You know how he’s coming out to fight.”
Conwell fights in Montreal next month against Abraham Juarez Ramirez on a co-promotion event between Probellum and GYM.
The American wants to use the fight as a springboard for an active second half of the year, which will end with him knocking on the door of a world title, potentially, with the winner of Saturday’s undisputed clash.
“The first fight was a really good fight and I thought it could have gone either way, either to Castano or Charlo, and so at the end of the 12 rounds I felt like it was going to be a draw.
“For the rematch, I want to say, Charlo. I’ve been going with Charlo, this whole time and I think Charlo will win, but I would not be surprised if Castano does it, given how close it was last time.”
WBO World Champion Brian Castaño held a Los Angeles media workout on Tuesday as he prepares to face unified WBC, WBA, and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo in a rematch of one of 2021’s most significant fights when they each seek undisputed status at 154-pounds once again on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.
The Charlo vs. Castaño rematch will come nine months after they went toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds in July 2021, with both men appearing hurt during the action before the bout was eventually ruled a split draw.
Here is what Castaño had to say Tuesday from Knockouts Boxing Gym:
BRIAN CASTAÑO
Photo: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
“I’m very happy to be fighting in front of the Latino fans in Southern California. My message to the fans is that I’m going to leave it all in the ring. We’re going to be lifting up all four belts on fight night.
“I do believe that I won the first fight. It might have been by a small margin, but I won it. This time, we’re going to try everything to make sure we don’t leave the fight in the hands of the judges.
“I was training with one hand for quite a few weeks after the arm injury. But right now I really feel better and stronger than ever.
“I come to do my job. He can come in yelling and screaming, but I don’t really care. I’m focused on the task and just doing what I need to.
“We had a lot to learn from the first fight with Charlo. One of the biggest things that I learned is to be more cautious at times while I’m in the ring. He’s powerful, but I’m going to bring my power too. We learned from the first fight and we’re going to correct any errors we made.
“I’m always going to fight whoever the fans want me to face. Give me the name, and I’m ready to go. I want to fight the best. Elite opponents are what motivate me.
“Our press conference was intense and our exchanges definitely motivated me a lot. He saw a different fight than I did, if he saw himself winning eight rounds. I don’t know what he saw, because I felt like I won by two points.”
Unified WBC, WBA and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo and WBO World Champion Brian Castaño exchanged promises to deliver knockouts and revealed glimpses of the distaste they have for each other during a virtual press conference Thursday before their rematch for undisputed status at 154-pounds on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
The Charlo-Castaño rematch will come nine months after they went toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds in July 2021, with both men appearing hurt during the action before the bout was eventually ruled a split draw.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see 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 telecast.
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. 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 the 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.”
Photos: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
On Saturday, May 14, Unified WBC, WBA and IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Jermell Charlo and WBO World Champion Brian Castaño will meet in a rematch of one of 2021’s most significant fights as they again seek to become the first ever undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features rising welterweight star and pound-for-pound talent Jaron “Boots” Ennis battling unbeaten Custio Clayton in the co-main event.
Here’s what Charlo had to say on Saturday:
On not leaving the rematch in the judge’s hands:
“I want to knock this guy out. This is the Jermell from earlier, back when I was fighting four-rounders and I was trying to end those fights. I want to be that guy for 12 rounds now.”
On becoming undisputed at 154:
“This is one of the achievements a fighter can have – to fight to be undisputed, so I’m going to enjoy this moment and I’m going to have fun when I’m in there on May 14, five days before my birthday. I’m ready to win this fight impressively. I make all of my former opponent somebody – Tony Harrison, Lubin, all these fighters who fought me before. Nobody knew who Brian Castaño was before I fought him. And I hope I get the judges who really understand boxing. Everyone is used to me knocking everyone out that when I don’t knock someone out, it’s an issue. This is a skillful sport, you have to pay the bills for this.”
A different Charlo this time around:
“I’m locked in a little bit different this time. I’m more dedicated than I’ve ever been. I’m hungrier. I don’t know what’s next after this opportunity in my life and I’m glad that God gave me the opportunity to face the same guy and just put on a better performance. This is about me being the best Jermell Charlo.
“I was having back spasms (in his preparation for the last fight). I want to say that I came into this camp doing things the old school way now. At first, I was being superstar Jermell Charlo. I put that aside and now this is about me digging deeper into the Jermell Charlo that I really am and testing myself with my training and swimming, running, stuff that I went away from because of the stardom before.”
On fighting the winner of Spence-Crawford:
“I have no intention on fighting my stablemate (Spence). Terence Crawford can get that work. I don’t care about him. I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know me. We can make it happen. But when you have an emotional tie to someone, it’s like fighting my twin brother. Now like Spence said, if that money is right, and you put that brick bread out there, we’re going to get in there with anybody. We’re not going to turn down anyone, neither will Spence. But Crawford hasn’t done anything at 154. How do you want him to fight me? I’m trying to become undisputed right now. How are we talking about someone who hasn’t even fought in the division? How did he just jump from there to there? What connection does he have?”
On Facing Sebastian Fundora:
“This is what I do. When you become a champion like that, you have mandatory after mandatory after mandatory. You have all these people in the way. Maybe I’ll be the shot-caller and make the decision who I want to fight next. Fundora? Go fight someone else? Crawford? You guys fight each other. I’m busy.”
On his legacy:
“Once the story is written and the book is finished, everyone’s going to come back and say that Jermell Charlo did a really good job at 154. I held it down. I’m proud of what I’ve done in the division, but I have to get Castaño out of the way. I have to show all the fans why I’m the No. 1 guy that’s been the No. 1 guy for so many years. I possess a different type of strength. I have a different type of power when I punch. I’m the Hagler and Hearns put together and I have 12 rounds to do it.”
Hall of Fame bound if he beats Castaño?
“I might get an opportunity to make a move in my life like that. That’s what’s important. What’s important is leaving a legacy and I want to leave a legacy for my children and it’s not about right now. The legacy is for the future so I’m writing my book and if I don’t get the eyes and the viewers, that’s ok. I’m not begging to be the most popular boxer. I’m just doing this for my future.”
On criticism he stayed on the ropes too much in the first fight:
“In boxing sometimes, you have to fight off the ropes. Yeah, I could have done better by not being on the ropes. But I fought myself off the ropes. Who got hurt more? Who got buckled? To me, I want all the action. At the end of the day, maybe I won’t be on the ropes that much and get back into the center of the ring. He didn’t throw as many punches as he usually does against me. Why? Because he got hurt. The fight would have ended if he had thrown more punches. I’m going to smash him this time around.”
SHOWTIME Sports and Premier Boxing Champions today announced nine boxing events across the first half of 2022
The lineup pits champions against champions and top contenders against top contenders to form the strongest and most ambitious schedule in the industry.
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Nine marquee events across five months featuring 21 undefeated fighters;
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Two world championship unifications bouts, one for all four world title belts and the coveted title of Undisputed Champion, and one for three world title belts;
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Seven world championship matches with at least 13 world title belts at stake and three world title eliminators;
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All of the top-six ranked super welterweights fighting in a seven-week span;
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Several pivotal crossroads fights from super bantamweight to super middleweight with an average of two events per month through July.
The schedule features the sport’s biggest stars: Errol Spence, Jr., Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Jermell Charlo, David Benavidez and Jermall Charlo.
Here’s Showtime/PBC schedule for the first half of the year:
March 26 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Location: The Armory, Minneapolis, Minn.
o Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha, Super Welterweight Bout
o Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, Lightweight Bout
o Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, Super Lightweight (142 LBS) Bout
April 9 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Location: The Theatre at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas
o Erickson Lubin vs. Sebastian Fundora, WBC Super Welterweight Interim Title
o Tony Harrison vs. Sergio Garcia, Super Welterweight Bout
o Kevin Salgado vs. Bryant Perrella, Super Welterweight Bout
April 16 – SHOWTIME PPV
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas, WBC, WBA & IBF Welterweight World __Championship Unification
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (preceding PPV):
o Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, WBA Welterweight Title Bout
o Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, Super Lightweight Bout
May 14 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Location: Los Angeles
o Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castaño II, Undisputed IBF, WBA, WBC & WBO Super __Welterweight World Championship Unification
o Jaron Ennis vs. Custio Clayton, IBF Welterweight Eliminator
May 21 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Location: Phoenix
o David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux, Super Middleweight Bout
o Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, Super Welterweight Bout
May 28 – SHOWTIME PPV
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
o Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero, WBA Lightweight World Championship
June 4 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Location: Minneapolis
o Stephen Fulton, Jr. vs. Danny Roman, WBO & WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship
o David Morrell vs. Kalvin Henderson, WBA Super Middleweight World Title
June 18 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Location: Houston
o Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki, WBC Middleweight World Championship
July 9 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Location: San Antonio
o Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas, WBC Featherweight World Championship
Unbeaten American Charles Conwell has signed a co-promotional agreement with Probellum.
The 24-year-old former Olympian is one of the fastest rising stars in the 154lbs division and aims to be in a position to secure a world title shot by the end of the year.
Conwell (16-0, 12KO) will be promoted by Probellum and DiBella Entertainment, who earlier this month signed a co-promotional deal, and Conwell is the partnership’s first major signing.
With their backing and expertise, the Detroit-born stylist is looking to build on his lofty rankings with many of the world’s governing bodies.
Fellow American Jermell Charlo holds three of the recognized world titles, and Conwell has the WBC, WBA, and IBF champion in his sights.
“With Probellum in my corner, I know that I’ll be breathing down the neck of Jermell Charlo by the end of the year,” Conwell said. “I’m confident I’ll be in a mandatory challenger position where he has no choice but to fight me,”
“And as my nickname suggests, I am Bad News for the 154lbs division because I’m coming for those titles, and I will get them – mark my words!
“I’m 16-0 already and ready to step up and become world champion, which is something I am destined to do.”
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
Unified WBC, WBA and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo and WBO World Champion Brian Castano took part in a virtual press conference Wednesday to preview their battle for the undisputed 154-pound championship which headlines action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, July 17 from AT&T Center in San Antonio in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see the hard-hitting unified champion Charlo and the exciting Argentine Castano go toe-to-toe as all of the super welterweight championship belts are on the line for the first time in the four-belt era.
Here is what Charlo had to say Wednesday:
“We have 10 days to go and I’m excited,” he said. “This is the most important time of my life. I love this. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. My experience inside and outside of the ring has all led up to this. Now is the time for me to put it all on the line.
“Castano is going to leave everything in the ring. So we’re not playing any games. I’ve been training really hard. I’ve added things that have made me better because I know for a fact that this is going to be a great fight.
“I love my home state of Texas and I love fighting there. We’re bred differently. We’re a state that’s fought our own wars. This is huge. It’s a legacy fight for me and I’m ready for it.
“I know what I possess in the ring. When it’s time to fight, I instantly become the best warrior that there is out there.
“I’ve suffered my whole life, so there’s nothing in this world that can make me suffer more than what I went through growing up. Castano is a great fighter who puts on a lot of pressure. But I know my abilities and I know my power. Every punch I throw is dominant and every shot I throw is painful for my opponent. I have a lot of unique abilities in me and I’m going to bring some tricks into this fight.
“I haven’t punched Castano yet so I don’t know what his chin will do when I hit him. I know he’s got a big heart. I’m just going to do what I do, which is what everyone knows that I do. Everyone sees what I can do each time I get into the ring.
“I’ve been feeling really good in training camp. Better than I’ve ever felt. I’m in my prime right now and I feel stronger fight by fight. I’ve been developing every camp.
“I’ve got belts on belts and he’s got one belt. I’m ready to take that strap too. I’ve been paying attention to what he’s been doing. I haven’t just been sitting around since I fought Jeison Rosario. I’ve been working.
“Right now I’m not worried about what’s happening after this fight. I can only focus on what’s in front of me. I’m tunnel-visioned right now. This is what I want and I can’t see anything outside of victory on July 17.
“You’re going to see a more developed Jermell Charlo on July 17. I guarantee you’re going to see a top pound-for-pound fighter. At any point, this fight could be over with.
“This is a major fight because it’s history for me and my family. It’s huge for everyone that I represent and that’s been supporting me for all these years. It was due time to get in there for this fight. The belts and the money are not on my mind. What’s on my mind is the legacy.
“Not a lot of people get these opportunities. This fight is going to solidify a lot of different things in people’s minds about the Charlos.”
SHOWTIME Sports and Premier Boxing Champions today unveiled a loaded five-month boxing schedule of nine high-stakes world championship events beginning Saturday, May 15, live on SHOWTIME. The schedule delivers two events per month through August. Thirteen matchups have been announced thus far with no less than seven world title fights, and 12 fighters defending undefeated records. The lineup features many of boxing’s best young fighters taking on career-defining challenges in their primes. All fights on the schedule will take place before a live audience, keeping with applicable local COVID-19 safety protocols.
The sizzling summer run features the dynamic Charlo twins as undefeated electrifying champion Jermall Charlo defends his WBC middleweight world title against Juan Macias Montiel in a special Juneteenth homecoming in Houston on Saturday, June 19, live on SHOWTIME.
The following Saturday, June 26, unbeaten Mayweather Promotions star Gervonta “Tank” Davis moves up two weight classes for a chance to become a three-division world champion when he takes on fellow undefeated champion Mario Barrios for his super lightweight world title in what will be Davis’ second pay-per-view showdown.
The next month, WBC, WBA and IBF 154-pound charismatic world champion Jermell Charlo looks to make boxing history when he takes on WBO junior middleweight world champion Brian Castaño in a mega-fight to crown the first four-belt 154-pound world champion. The World Championship Unification bout takes place on Saturday, July 17, live on SHOWTIME.
The SHOWTIME boxing schedule features eight editions of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and one premier SHOWTIME PPV event, all presented by Premier Boxing Champions:
- MAY 15 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- Luis Nery vs. Brandon Figueroa, WBC Super Bantamweight World Title Fight
- Danny Roman vs. Ricardo Espinoza Franco, Super Bantamweight Fight
- Xavier Martinez vs. Abraham Montoya, WBA Super Featherweight Fight
- MAY 29 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- Nordine Oubaali vs. Nonito Donaire, WBC Bantamweight World Title Fight
- Subriel Matias vs. Batyrzhan Jukembayev, IBF Super Lightweight Title Eliminator
- JUNE 19 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- Jermall Charlo vs. Juan Macias Montiel, WBC Middleweight World Title Fight
- JUNE 26 – SHOWTIME PPV
- Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios, WBA Super Lightweight World Title Fight
- Erickson Lubin vs. Jeison Rosario, WBC Junior Middleweight Title Eliminator
- JULY 3 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- Chris Colbert vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa, WBA Super Featherweight Interim Title Fight
- JULY 17 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castaño, Undisputed IBF, WBA, WBC & WBO Junior Middleweight World Title Unification Fight
- AUGUST 14 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. John Riel Casimero, WBO Bantamweight World Title Fight
- AUGUST 28– SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- David Benavidez vs. Jose Uzcategui, WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator
- SEPTEMBER 11 – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
- Stephen Fulton, Jr. vs. winner of Nery-Figueroa, Super Bantamweight World Title Unification Fight
The boxing action begins on SHOWTIME on Saturday, May 15 with the highly anticipated WBC super bantamweight world championship fight between Luis Nery and Brandon Figueroa. The battle of two unbeaten champions who have been on a collision course for supremacy in the 122-pound division headlines a three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast. Rounding out the May 15 event, former unified super bantamweight world champion Danny Roman faces the tough, hard-hitting Ricardo Espinoza and super featherweight rising contender Xavier Martinez takes on the experienced Abraham Montoya.
Two weeks later on Saturday, May 29, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will present the long-awaited title tilt between Nordine Oubaali and future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire for the WBC bantamweight world championship. The undercard will feature Subriel Matias taking on undefeated Batyrzhan Jukembayev in the stiffest test of their professional careers as they meet in an IBF super lightweight title eliminator.
This summer, the thrilling Charlo twins will headline separate SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING events to defend their titles.
In a Juneteenth Day celebration on Saturday, June 19, in his hometown of Houston, unbeaten WBC middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo takes on the power-punching Juan Macias Montiel. After claiming a championship in the 154-pound division, Charlo moved up in weight and has been just as dominant. The battle against Montiel will be Charlo’s fifth defense of his 160-pound title. Charlo is coming off a career-defining victory over Sergey Derevyanchenko in September.
On Saturday, June 26, current two-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis looks to become a three-division world champion when he returns to headline his second SHOWTIME PPV event. Davis, 26, will jump up two weight classes from his last contest to face unbeaten super lightweight world champion Mario Barrios. Davis is coming off a career-best victory over world champion Leo Santa Cruz. The co-main event that evening will feature a high-stakes WBC junior middleweight world title eliminator between Erickson Lubin and former unified 154-pound world champion Jeison Rosario.
Then, on Saturday, July 17, one month after his brother’s fight, Jermell Charlo looks to make boxing history when he defends his WBC, WBA and IBF junior middleweight world titles against undefeated WBO world champion Brian Castaño in one of the most highly anticipated and important matches of the year. Charlo aims to achieve something that has never been done in boxing history by becoming the first fighter to be undisputed champion at 154 pounds in the four-belt era. Charlo has held the WBC title since 2019 and added the WBA and IBF titles with a stunning knockout victory over Jeison Rosario in his last fight in September.
Also in July, undefeated rising star Chris Colbert of Brooklyn, N.Y. will defend his WBA super featherweight interim title against three-division world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in a crossroads bout on Saturday, July 3. The 24-year old Colbert is coming off a career best victory, a knockout win over Jaime Arboleda in December 2020. The Cuban-born Gamboa seeks to reassert himself by moving back down to super featherweight where he has excelled throughout his career.
August will feature another pair of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING events. On Saturday, August 14, two of the best bantamweights in the world will meet when former unified world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux faces John Riel Casimero for Casimero’s WBO bantamweight world title.
Two weeks later, on Saturday, August 28, undefeated two-time former super middleweight world champion David Benavidez will face former super middle champion Jose Uzcategui in a fight that will put the winner one step closer to a world championship opportunity. Benavidez, 24, made boxing history when he became the youngest super middleweight world champion at age 20 with a victory over Ronald Gavril in 2017.
On Saturday, September 11, the red-hot 122-pound division will take center stage once again on SHOWTIME as the WBO junior featherweight world champion Stephen Fulton, Jr. will make the first defense of his title against the winner of the May 15 clash between undefeated champions Nery and Figueroa. The unification fight will be the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
