Jermell Charlo and Brian Castaño fight to split decision draw
In their most recent bout, WBA Super, IBF and WBC World super welterweight champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KO’s) and WBO 154-pound champion Brian “El Boxi” Castaño (17-0-2, 12 KO’s) fought to a draw. The bout was supposed to determine the undisputed champion of the division, but that was not to be the case. After undergoing a largely successful fight promotion however, the potentially historical bout was thrown into peril at the last moment.
This occurred when Team Castaño discovered an irregularity with Charlo’s glove that they were not pleased with. As a result, they threatened to pull out of the prizefight. Ultimately, the two teams were able to reach an agreement and the fight went on as originally planned. This snaps the three-fight win streak that Iron Man enjoyed since suffering his lone professional loss to Tony Harrison. Since absorbing that set back, Charlo has reinvented himself, increased his training efforts and almost took control of the division.
At the moment, it is unclear what the next move will be for either fighter. Yet, no matter what they choose to do, it’s almost a guarantee we will see them in the ring again very shortly.
NIP AND TUCK
The opening period was surprisingly economic for both fighters. It was interesting to see Charlo willing and repeatedly putting himself in the corner and inviting El Boxi in. The tactic paid off. While throwing a flurry of punches, Charlo managed to clip Castaño with a left hook that left him reeling. Iron Man immediately jumped on him but nothing else of note connected and El Boxi ended the round without further mishap.
At the conclusion of a slower third round, Castaño caught and hurt Charlo with a crisp right hook. The impactful punch naturally revitalized El Boxi who fought with renewed vigor. The fourth round was the most action-packed period of the fight thus far. Both men threw hard, mean-spirited punches, yet neither were reckless. Now however, Castaño’s punches seemed to have a greater effect on the Iron Man.
The action cooled off in a hurry throughout the fourth and fifth rounds. During the sixth, Castaño and Charlo staged a number of exchanges that brought the crowd to its feet. Despite the roar of the audience, not much of note landed. The sustained action flowed into the eighth. Only now, El Boxi seemed to be bullying Iron Man along the ropes. Charlo was fighting off the ropes well, but there was a subtle momentum shift.
PHOTO FINISH
After being largely dominated over the eighth and ninth rounds, Charlo finally seriously hurt Castaño with a left hook in the tenth. For the remainder of the round, Iron Man battered a jelly-legged Castaño around the ring. To his credit, El Boxi weathered the rough storm. The eleventh round was by far the most dramatic of the fight. It started with Charlo firmly in control but by the end, they would trade shots and momentum.
By comparison the twelfth was not as high intensity as the previous period. Jermell Charlo and Brian Castaño both knew it was a ‘must have’ round, but both were cautious to a degree. Toward the end of the twelfth, they began throwing with consistency but nothing overly impactful scored. The feeling was tense when the fight went to the cards due to the highly competitive nature of the fight. When the cards were read, the fight ended in a unsatisfactory split decision draw!
By: Bakari Simpson
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