Mandatories for Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano Won’t Wait Much Longer
With so many challengers breathing down the neck of a champion, becoming undisputed can be difficult. This brings us to why unified junior middleweight champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (34-1-1, 18KOs) versus WBO champion Brian “El Boxi” Castano (17-0-2, 12KOs) needs a decision.
In 2021, these two world-class champions squared off in an attempt to crown an undisputed champion. The crowd was pumped as both champions gave the fight of their lives in front of the unified champion’s Texas hometown crowd. It was a highly contested fight that ended in a draw to the disappointment of the boxing community.
LET’S HOPE WE GET A DECISION
It’s been eight months since the two champions stepped into the ring, and the fans are eager to see them wage war once again. Unfortunately, Castano pulled out of the original February date due to an injury, leaving boxing fans in disarray.
However, it was music to the ears to hear the fight will take place on May 14. Moreover, the boxing community wants to see the fight again and pray that this time there is a winner. Another draw would be catastrophic as the sanctioning bodies will not wait any longer and order the respective champions to face their mandatory challengers. Charlo holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles. The WBC and WBA top challengers already having scheduled fights. It is the IBF that will come knocking.
In an interview on The Last Stand Podcast, the unified champion expressed that the IBF mandatory Bakhram Murtazaliev has agreed to step aside.
The WBO champion, Castano, will have no choice but to fight the number one contender in Tim Tszyu. The WBO almost prevented the rematch from happening after ordering Castano to fight Tszyu back in 2021.
With both mandatory challengers agreeing to step aside, it is highly unlikely either organization or fighter will wait if there is another draw. Furthermore, one champion, if not both, could decide they’ve had enough and move up to middleweight.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
On a side note, the winner will be the first junior middleweight undisputed champion of the four-belt era. Hall of Fame fighter Ronald “Winky” Wright was the divisions last undisputed champion after defeating fellow Hall of Famer Shane Mosley in 2004.
This time around there must be a winner as the boxing community awaits for the rematch set to take place in Los Angles and broadcasted by Showtime on May 14.
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By: Garrisson Bland
