Brian Castaño to defend the WBA regular title in the biggest fight of his career against Erislandy Lara
While most fans are familiar with Erislandy Lara, only the most hardcore boxing aficionados will know about Brian Castaño.
This fight, stylistically, will be a high level chess match. It will also be for the WBA super welterweight regular title. Castaño is currently the regular champion after defeating longtime contender Michael Soro. That bout was for the interim belt, however, he would be upgraded to regular champion before defeating Cedric Vitu in March.
Watch the two meet in the ring March 2 on Showtime, 9:00 PM ET!
Erislandy Lara (25-3-2, 14KO)
This is a dangerous fight to take after Lara’s close, but clear loss to unified champion Jarrett Hurd in April 2018. It was a pretty grueling fight for the thirty four year-old champion, who fell one win shy of the title defense record at junior middleweight.
Winning the WBA regular title puts him right back in line for another fight against the man who took his super title.
Keys to Victory
Lara will look to implement the jab, movement and defense he’s famous for. He has a subtle style where he uses crafty feints and footwork to stay ahead of his opponents.
Staying on the outside and utilizing a seven-inch reach advantage is huge here. Use the pressure from the 29 year-old against him by luring him into counters while moving laterally.
However, after the bout with Hurd, many are skeptical he can still move as swiftly as he used to. He will get PLENTY of opportunities to show the world he still has his legs as he’s going to need them in this match-up!
Brian Castaño (15-0, 11KO)
A little history lesson on Castaño should shed some light on the champion. In the 2011 Pan-American Games Qualifying Tournament, he defeated IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence thoroughly.
The following year, he defeated IBF middleweight title challenger Sergey Derevyanchenko in the World Series of Boxing tournament! While Soro would be the biggest name he has fought as a professional, his amateur pedigree cannot be denied.
Keys to Victory
Castaño will have to borrow a page from former two-division champion Timothy Bradley; use your high-level stamina to apply relentless pressure. However, he will need to implement good footwork, and competent body punching along with the pressure.
The Argentine showed in his fight against Soro that he has the ring IQ to compete with anyone.
If he can contain Lara with his physicality and activity, he should pull off the victory. That, however, is easier said than done.
Prediction
The final prediction is Lara by the narrowest of margins. He has a great deal of experience at the elite level against many different styles, as well as an awesome amateur pedigree.
He should be able to out-hustle the less experienced champion down the stretch of a VERY entertaining fight!
By: Corey Cunningham
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