Champions Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano battle to 12-round split draw

So much for crowning an undisputed world champion in the junior middleweight division.

After 12 rounds of spirited action, WBC, WBA, and IBF titleholder Jermell Charlo and WBO champion Brain Castano battled to a split draw at AT@T Center in San Antonio, TX Saturday night.

The scores were 114-113 Castano, a head-scratching 117-111 Charlo, and 114-114.

In round one, Charlo (31-1-1, 18 KOs) kept the much shorter Castano at bay with a stinging jab. Castano,31, pressed the fight but not recklessly. The Argentina boxer connected with a lead right. Charlo, also 31, landed the old one-two in the second stanza. Castano attacked but a counter left hook wobbled him. Charlo took his time, stalking his hurt prey with combinations. Charlo met Castano in the center of the ring in round three. Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) probed, but stayed on the outside - now more than ever aware of Charlo’s power and quick hands. Charlo’s jab was on point, but Castano caught Charlo with a couple of left hooks, one of them bucked Charlo’s knees.

Castano landed a clubbing right to the ribs in round four. Charlo connected with a jab and hook. Castano clipped Charlo and worked the body. Charlo landed a hook, but the round was Castano’s. Charlo went back to jabbing in round five. Castano jumped in and landed a lead right. Charlo countered with a hook. Castano landed a shot to the belly. Charlo fought back with right hands at the bell.

Charlo stayed on the outside in round six. He backed up Castano with his jab. Castano landed a right but ate a hook. Charlo connected with a combination. Castano flurried back with shots to the head and body. Charlo connected with two combinations in the opening seconds of round seven. Castano landed a straight right hand. He repeated the feat seconds later. Castano forced Charlo into the ropes and went to work. The round was his.

Castano appeared to have the edge thru seven rounds. He landed several chin shots in round eight. Charlo clipped Castano with a left hook to the liver. Castano connected with a right in round nine. Charlo was waiting too much. Castano was outworking him. Charlo jabbed up and down. Castano marched forward. A sweeping right scored.

Charlo’s trainer Derrick James tried to fire up his man before round 10. Charlo listened and executed. Several heavy shots, initiated by a left hook, appeared to hurt Castano. Charlo attacked by Castano fought back and survived. In round 11, Charlo connected with a heavy right. He doubled up with hooks. Castano fought back. He landed a solid jab. Charlo stabbed Castano. Both fighters traded heavy shots at the bell.

The last round could decide the fight. James told Charlo he needed a knockout to win. Did he? Charlo fired a combination. A right landed. He jabbed. Castano bobbed and weaved. He fired an overhand right. Castano landed a left hook. Charlo unloaded. Castano again fought back. Charlo connected as did Castano.

“The draw wasn’t what I wanted to hear,” said Charlo.

“Basically, I won the fight,” said Castano. “Great fight.”

Let’s do it again.