Rematch time: Jermell Charlo v Brian Castano 2

Their first fight was one of the better matchups of 2021. Despite a lot of action, in the end, nothing was determined as the fight ended in a split draw. 

On May 14, in California, both champions, Jermell Charlo and Brain Castano are looking to settle the dispute once and for all. 

One of them will walk away as the best 154-pound fighter in boxing. 

The first fight was a great bout with both boxers having their moments, each hurting their opponent and looking to gain the momentum. In the end, the back-and-forth battle was ruled a split draw. One judge had it even, another had Charlo by the incredibly wide score of 117-111 and the other had Castano 114-113. The 114-114 or 114-113 seemed much more in line with how close the bout was; the 117-111 card seemed way out of line.  

Charlo is 34-1-1 with 18 knockouts. Castano is undefeated in 17 bouts – scoring 12 KOs. Both can box and brawl. Both have decent power. Both fighters are supremely confident. Charlo is slicker, and Castano is more awkward. 

Not unlike the first fight, this is a tough one to call.  

Louisiana-born, Texas-residing Charlo made it clear that the extra couple of months off (that Castano needed to rehab an arm injury) has just made him hungrier. Never lacking confidence, or words, Charlo made it clear he is looking to own Castano on fight night. 

“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”, said 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 Castano, this is about Jermell Charlo,” he said. 

For his part, Argentina born and raised Castano is happy to be fighting in California where he feels he will have a strong Latino following. And, he does foresee the fight going to scorecards this time. 

“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”, he said. “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.”

Things have heated up and will only get hotter as fight night approaches. 

“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”, he said. “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," said Castano. 

“He’s powerful, but I’m going to bring my power too, he said. “I’m ready to go.”