Friendship Goes Out The window as Patrick Teixeira Prepares to Fight #1 Contender Brian Castaño
Despite all the trash talk that may happen before a fight, boxers have basic respect for one another. There are instances where fighters happen to be friends, even as they are about to trade punches for twelve rounds. Such is the case for WBO World Junior Middleweight Patrick Teixeira (31-1, 22 KOs). While he has great respect for his upcoming challenger, Brian Castaño (16-0-1, 12 KOs), he’s fully intent on leaving the ring with his title.
They will face off on February 13 at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. The 30-year-old Teixeira is one of only five men from the country of Brazil to win a world title. He has worked hard to win a world title. A pro for twelve years, the defending champion revealed to The Ring the history between him and his upcoming challenger.
“Castaño is a tough opponent. I already had the opportunity to do sparring with him, I know him very well. I believe we did sparring twice. We were getting ready for a fight together. I believe it was before he fought Lara (in March 2019), but this sparring doesn’t mean much.
I evolved a lot after that, and I believe he did too. On Saturday in the ring, there will be a lot of evil. After the fight, the friendship continues.
I am working very hard. I am working for the 12 rounds, but I know that I have the power to knock him out. The fight will really be a war and I’m ready for it.”
FRIENDSHIPS DON’T STOP THE SHOW
This is not the first instance where champion and challenger are good acquaintances. On February 14, 1987, then-WBA World Cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield defended his title with a 7th round TKO win over Henry Tillman. Five months later, Holyfield was a member of Tillman’s wedding! This is part of the trade. All that jazz about friendship goes out the window once you step in between the ropes. It will not deter either man from holding back once the bell rings.
In the end, it is about one: wanting to defend his world title and all the accouterments befitting a world champ. It is also about a challenger wishing to achieve his life-long dream. As Wesley Snipes infamously said in the movie New Jack City, “friends is friends, this is business”. That will certainly be the case for Teixeira and Castaño on February 13.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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