Tag Archives: Jermell Charlo

Posted on 04/23/2022

By: Hans Themistode

It’s become customary for every top-ranked 154-pound contender to call Jermell Charlo’s name following an explosive win. Joining in on that very ceremony was newly crowned WBC interim titlist, Sebastian Fundora.

The 6’6” contender wasted no time in calling out the unified champion once he placed the final nail in Erickson Lubin’s coffin just a few short weeks ago.

On April 9th, at the Virgins Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Fundora and Lubin engaged in a Fight of the Year contender. After dropping his man in the second round, Lubin roared back, sending the freakishly tall contender to the canvas for the first time in his career in the seventh.

Although Fundora appeared to be on unsteady legs, he eventually regained his composure. As a result, he pummeled Lubin, forcing his corner to throw in the towel. The moment he was awarded the interim crown, Fundora brazenly set his sights on Charlo.

Unperturbed by yet another call out from someone highly ranked at 154 pounds, Charlo took Fundora’s words in strides. In the mind of the Houston native, perpetual callouts by the competition simply come with the territory.

“When you become a champion like this, you got mandatory after mandatory,” said Charlo to a group of reporters. “In 2017, I knocked the number one guy out, turned around, and knocked out the other number one guy.”

At some point, if Fundora continues to run roughshod over the competition, Charlo is well aware that a showdown against the lanky contender could become inevitable. Presently, however, Charlo believes he has bigger fish to fry.

On May 14th, in Los Angeles, California, Charlo will attempt to put his rivalry with Brian Castano to bed. The two initially fought almost one calendar year ago, on July 17th. Although both men raised their hands victoriously following 12 rounds of back and forth action, neither was pleased with the final result as they were forced to settle for a split decision draw.

Currently, becoming the division’s first undisputed champion since Winky Wright in 2001, is of the utmost importance to Charlo. But that doesn’t mean the truculent star isn’t willing to play matchmaker. With Castano receiving his undivided attention, Charlo believes that Fundora should face a certain pound-for-pound fighter from Omaha, Nebraska, who recently called him out as well.

“Maybe I be the shot caller and make the decisions on who I want to fight next,” continued Charlo. “Fundora, go fight somebody else. [Terence] Crawford y’all go fight each other, I’m busy, mother fucker I’m busy.”

Posted on 04/20/2022

By: Hans Themistode

After falling flat on his face on the grandest of stages, Tony Harrison had officially broken through. The highly ranked 154-pound contender draped his shoulders in gold following his upset win over Jermell Charlo to claim the WBC junior middleweight title in 2018.

Since his career-defining triumph, however, Harrison has seen more valleys than peaks. One year following his victory over Charlo, Harrison was brutally stopped in their immediate rematch. From there, the Detroit native would spend roughly one and a half years on the sidelines before facing off against Bryant Perrella.

Despite being viewed as a considerable favorite, Harrison was forced to settle for a split decision draw. With his career at a crossroad, Harrison boxed circles around Sergio Garcia, winning a wide unanimous decision on April 9th, earlier this year.

As Harrison continues to enjoy his time back in the winner’s circle, he revealed that his lackluster showing against Perrella came due to a lack of motivation. At this point in his well-established career, Harrison admits that he’s only interested in facing fighters who will mean something to his legacy.

“I don’t want nothing that’s meaningless to me,” said Harrison on the Porter Way Podcast. “Bring me a fighter that’s gonna mean something.”

Having fought just a few short weeks ago, Harrison is currently enjoying the fruits of his labor. Once he’s done kicking his feet up and relaxing, Harrison is eyeing a showdown against one of division’s upper echelon.

In his opinion, 154 is stacked with talent from top to bottom. And, for what it’s worth, Harrison knows good and well that he could find himself in many fan-pleasing fights for years to come. But, regardless of that notion, Harrison is fixated on ending his rivalry with Charlo. Should Harrison find himself facing off against the fiery Houston native once more, there could be even more at stake.

On May 14th, in Los Angeles, California, Charlo is scheduled to take on Brain Castano. Presently, the winner of their upcoming bout would be crowned the division’s first undisputed champion since Winky Wright in 2001.

Regardless of whether it’s Charlo, or fellow highly ranked contender, Tim Tszyu, Harrison believes he needs to face someone that he views as a legitimate threat.

“To me, the Charlo fight means everything to me personally. That’s my personal favorite but you got guys like Tim Tszyu, that can mean something for legacy. Just bring me something that’s meaningful to me.”

Posted on 04/19/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Although Jermell Charlo currently holds three of the four major world titles at 154 pounds, the Houston native is far from satisfied.

On May 14th, Charlo will attempt to put an end to his rivalry with fellow current champion, Brian Castano. The two originally participated in a back and forth war of attrition on July 17th, 2021. At times, it appeared as though the pressure and volume punching of the rough and rugged Argentinian would get the better of Charlo. But, despite his attempts to drag the unified titlist into the deep end, Charlo proved that he could swim just fine.

While Charlo was more calculated in his attack, he landed the more eye-catching shots, wobbling Castano on several occasions. As the sound of the final bell echoed throughout Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, both men raised their hands in triumph. Neither were entirely wrong in their assessment, as their bout was ruled a split decision draw.

Currently, Charlo is fully entrenched in an arduous training camp as the prepares to face Castano once more on May 14th. Should Charlo emerge victoriously, he could find his next challenger one weight class below him. With Errol Spence Jr., his close friend and stablemate, becoming a three-belt world champion at 147 pounds, he’ll look to face Terence Crawford before the year comes to a close to become an undisputed titlist.

Although both Crawford and Spence Jr. have entertained the idea of facing Charlo, the Houston native isn’t interested in facing his good friend. However, if a showdown against Crawford can be made, Charlo is more than willing to take on the pound-for-pound star.

“I have no intentions to fight my stablemate,” said Charlo to a group of reporters. “Now Crawford can get that work. I don’t give a f*ck about him. I don’t know that n*gga, the n*gga don’t know me. We can make anything happen.”

Several months ago, following years of calling out Spence Jr., Crawford revealed that if he were unable to secure a long-awaited showdown against the powerful southpaw, he would be willing to move up in weight to face the winner of Castano vs. Charlo.

News of their possible mouthwatering matchup has been puzzling to Charlo. With Crawford claiming world titles at 135, 140, and 147 pounds, the Omaha, Nebraska native has yet to compete at 154 pounds. Until he does, Charlo believes Crawford is an irrelevant subject.

“Crawford ain’t did shit at 154. How y’all want him to fight me? I’m telling you I’m trying to become undisputed right now. How are we talking about somebody that ain’t even fought in the division.”

Posted on 04/18/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Jermell Charlo has built a reputation as a pernicious puncher, superb boxer, world championship level talent, and one of the more vulgar trash talkers in the entire sport of boxing.

However, despite being ready, willing, and able to face anyone placed in front of him, Charlo is shying away from a potential showdown against fellow stablemate and close friend, Errol Spence Jr.

Just a few months ago, former undisputed heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, made headlines when he attempted to put on his matchmaker cap.

“I wanna see Errol Spence go up to 154 and fight [Jermell] Charlo,” said Tyson on the Club Shay Shay podcast.

Spence Jr., a current unified champion at 147 pounds, just recently added a third welterweight title to his ever-growing collection. This past weekend, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Spence Jr. fought Yordenis Ugas tooth and nail in front of a crowd of nearly 40,000.

While Spence Jr. was tested, he ultimately broke his man down in the later rounds, resulting in a 10th-round stoppage victory. With the powerful southpaw now angling for an undisputed showdown against Terence Crawford, the welterweight division’s lone remaining belt holder, Spence Jr. has revealed that win or lose, he plans on moving up to 154 pounds.

In doing so, Spence Jr. could be left with an intriguing choice. Currently, Charlo, like Spence Jr., holds three of the four major titles at 154 pounds. On May 14th, he could become the division’s first undisputed champion since Winky Wright in 2001, as he takes on WBO titlist, Brian Castano. Although Spence Jr. doesn’t have Charlo on his radar, he did admit that he would be willing to face his good friend. Provided, of course, the financial rewards made it worth his while.

“I think so,” said Spence Jr. on the DAZN Boxing Show when asked if he would be willing to fight Charlo. “If it makes sense money-wise.”

In addition to their close bond, a Spence Jr. vs. Charlo matchup faces another dilemma. With the pair being trained by Derrick James, it places another roadblock firmly in the way of their possible bout.

Pushing everything aside, Charlo appears poignant when discussing the possibility of facing a fighter he’s grown to love like a brother. Nevertheless, while a showdown against Spence Jr. isn’t something that Charlo is willing to pursue, if, for some reason, his bank account received a hefty payment, the unified 154 pounder will push their friendship aside.

“I have no intentions to fight my stablemate,” said Charlo to several reporters. “When you got an emotional attachment to somebody, that’s like me fighting my twin brother. But, like Spence said, if that mother f*cking money right and they putting that brick bread out there, we going to get in there with anybody. I can’t touch my brother but I mean, if they wanna f*cking pay me $50 million or some shit, let’s do it.”

Posted on 04/11/2022

By: Hans Themistode

The biggest smile of his young life was plastered across the face of Sebastian Fundora.

The freakishly tall junior middleweight had mostly steamrolled his competition but had yet to face someone who was viewed as one of the upper echelon of the division…until this past weekend.

The 24-year-old from West Palm Florida, faced easily his stiffest test in the form of fellow highly ranked contender, Erickson Lubin. Though Lubin tested him like no other, including sending Fundora crashing down to the canvas in the seventh round, the 6’6” rising star dusted himself off and went on to pummel his man, resulting in a ninth-round stoppage victory.

With the win, Fundora safely tucked the WBC interim title underneath his arm, making him the mandatory challenger for the upcoming undisputed clash between unified champion Jermell Charlo and WBO titlist, Brian Castano.

Although both men battled to a highly controversial draw during their first meeting in July of 2021, Fundora believes that Charlo will emerge victorious following their May 14th, contest.

If Fundora’s words prove to be prophetic, Charlo would become the division’s first undisputed junior middleweight champion since Winky Wright in 2001. While achieving such a feat would give Charlo a joyous feeling, he won’t be the only one ecstatic over his historic victory.

“If we can just go and take it all from him, that would be great,” said Fundora following his win over Lubin to FightHype.com.

Over the past several years, Houston’s Charlo has truly come into his own. In addition to scoring a first-round knockout victory over Erickson Lubin in 2017, Charlo has also registered wins over Tony Harrison, Jeison Rosario, Austin Trout, and John Jackson.

While the unified stars boxing ability is well chronicled, he’s gained even more notoriety, thanks to his highlight reel-worthy knockouts. With three stoppage victories in three of his past four ring appearances, Charlo believes he’ll violently put an end to his rivalry against Castano come May 14th.

Still, even with Charlo’s propensity for knockout blows and despite maintaining his championship status since 2016, Fundora believes that if he’s granted a shot at Charlo’s world title, he’ll prove to be far too much for the pugnacious star.

“I feel like we get the job done against him too. He’s another fighter that likes to sit there and bang and trust his power. Just like him, we trust our power too, I just think that we’re stronger.”

Posted on 04/01/2022

By: Hans Themistode

As one of the more well-respected boxing trainers in the world, Derrick James has relished in his role of molding and creating world champions.

With both Errol Spence Jr. and Jermell Charlo currently on the cusp of becoming undisputed titlists at 147 and 154 pounds respectively, James beams with pride whenever the pair are brought up in conversations.

However, while James believes both fighters are worthy of pound-for-pound recognition, he could be forced to pick a side.

Recently, Spence Jr. was asked whether or not he would be willing to move up in weight and face his fellow stablemate and close friend. Although initially, the Dallas native appeared hesitant, he revealed that if the right financial package came across his desk, he would likely put their friendship aside and swap fists with Charlo in the ring.

“I think so,” said Spence Jr. on the DAZN Boxing Show when asked if he would face Charlo. “If it makes sense money-wise.”

Ultimately, James is crossing his fingers in the hopes that the pair never officially square off. In terms of who he believes would win, James was unable to give his opinion. In fact, the prestigious trainer refuses to even allow the thought of a Charlo vs. Spence Jr. showdown cross his mind.

“I’m not thinking about it,” said James during an interview with Fight Hub TV. “It’s not a thought of mine. I don’t want to think about it. Two of my guys fighting each other.”

In the end, James will cross that unwanted bridge when the time is appropriate. In the meanwhile, he continues to help both fighters with their upcoming bouts.

In the case of Charlo, the Houston native is in possession of three of the four major world titles at 154 pounds. Come May 14th, in Los Angeles, California, Charlo will attempt to become the division’s first undisputed champion since Winky Wright in 2001 when he takes on WBO titlist, Brian Castano.

Spence Jr., on the other hand, is hoping to join the three belt club in just a few more weeks. The powerful southpaw will officially take on WBA 147 pound champion, Yordenis Ugas. Should he become successful in their April 16th unification bout, Terence Crawford and his WBO trinket, will be the lone other titlist at 147 pounds.

Posted on 03/28/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Jermell Charlo has grown sick and tired of the ever-growing belief that his twin brother and, current WBC middleweight belt holder, Jermall Charlo, is unwilling to drop his previously mentioned crown in order to face super middleweight contender, David Benavidez.

Jermall, a native of Houston, Texas, has gone back and forth with Benavidez on numerous occasions over social media. In the mind of the middleweight belt holder, a showdown against Benavidez would result in the Mexican product being rushed to the emergency room. But, despite his warnings, Benavidez is anxious for Charlo to prove that he means business in the ring.

Even with Benavidez campaigning one weight class higher, he believes that a showdown between himself and Jermall would produce fan-friendly fireworks. Nonetheless, while Benavidez respects what Jermall brings to the table, he’s confident in his ability to hand him the worst beating of his career.

With Jermall opting against moving up in weight to take Benavidez up on his challenge, the former two-time super middleweight titlist believes that Jermall’s refusal to fight him is a sign of weakness. However, as Benavidez continues to poke and antagonize his man, Jermell has heard enough.

“We gonna get in there with any mother f*cking body,” said Jermell during an interview with ESNEWS. “Put Benavidez’s ass in there, why not? Put that mother f*cker in there. He a f*cking stud, he a f*cking stud. Put Benavidez in there.”

Despite Jermell’s insistence that his brother is more than capable of defeating Benavidez, both men will continue to go their separate ways…at least for now.

In the case of the 25-year-old Benavidez, he’ll look to move one step closer to his former championship status. On May 21st, Benavidez will attempt to dazzle his hometown Phoenix crowd, as he takes on hard-hitting contender, David Lemieux. The winner of their upcoming clash will wrap the WBC interim crown around their waist.

As for Jermall, he won’t sit idly by. In what would be his fifth attempt to defend his WBC middleweight title, Jermall will take on veteran journeymen, Maciej Sulecki, on June 18th.

Unsurprisingly, Jermell expects his twin brother to walk away from his showdown against Sulecki relatively unscathed. Provided Jermall takes care of business, and Jermell goes on to defeat Brian Castano on May 14th, the current unified junior middleweight champion has an intriguing double-header proposal.

In an effort to prove that the Charlo name is superior in comparison to team Benavidez, Jermell is now targeting a showdown against Jose Benavidez Jr., the older brother of David. The 29-year-old recently made his return to the ring in November of 2021 against Francisco Emanuel Torres. In his first bout at 154 pounds, Jose was forced to settle for the majority decision draw.

Still, while Jose isn’t viewed as a legitimate contender just yet, Jermell believes that this current family feud should be dealt with as soon as possible.

“Put Benavidez and his mother f*cking brother in there. I’ll fight the brother, you fight the big mother f*cker. We don’t give a f*ck.”

Posted on 03/24/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Errol Spence Jr. has never been shy about throwing down in the ring.

The current unified welterweight titlist is just a few weeks away from taking on fellow belt holder, WBA champion, Yordenis Ugas. Should the Dallas native walk away victorious on April 16th at AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, he’ll look to strip Terence Crawford of his WBO title.

Although the newly turned 32-year-old is focused on aggregating every world title at 147 pounds, he believes his time as a full-fledged welterweight is coming to an end. Whenever Spence Jr. officially decides to make the trek seven pounds north, he could be faced with an interesting dilemma.

Currently, Jermell Charlo, his close friend and stablemate, holds three of the four world titles at 154 pounds. In addition to Charlo’s extensive hardware collection, he’s just a few months away from taking on Brian Castano for the final piece of the junior middleweight undisputed puzzle.

Initially, having sparred with each other on numerous occasions and growing a close bond, Spence Jr. has refused to entertain the idea of facing Charlo. That said, everything comes with a price tag.

“I think so,” said Spence Jr. on the DAZN Boxing Show when asked if he would be willing to fight Charlo. “If it makes sense money-wise.”

Other than just the close friendship they share, both Charlo and Spence Jr. are guided by world-renowned trainer Derrick James, making their contest even more unrealistic.

Still, regardless of whether or not they eventually face-off, Spence Jr. has stated time and time again that his time as a 147 pounder will be coming to an end shortly. In a perfect world, Spence Jr. will successfully strip Ugas of his WBA title. Then, finally, the long-awaited showdown between Spence Jr. and Crawford would take place.

Win or lose, Spence Jr. will officially wash his hands of the welterweight division and attempt to make a name for himself one weight class higher.

Ultimately, the powerful southpaw doesn’t simply view Charlo as just a friend but more so a brother. Nonetheless, if they are indeed brothers, Spence Jr. believes that a showdown between them could become financially beneficial.

“We brothers,” Spence said. “Brothers supposed to break bread, right?”

Posted on 03/17/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Mike Tyson is a staunch and sincere believer in the best fighting the best.

During both the heart of his prime and when he was clearly on the back nine, Tyson took on all comers including Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, and Michael Spinks. Although the former undisputed heavyweight titlist didn’t always come out on the winning end, it was his attempt at greatness that he believes is missing in today’s game.

“These guys have to want to be immortal,” said Tyson to Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay podcast.

In totality, Tyson has a long list of fights that he hopes one day become a reality. Near the top of his list, is a showdown between two good friends currently competing in different weight classes.

“I wanna see Errol Spence go up to 154 and fight [Jermell] Charlo.”

Although Tyson craves a showdown between the pair, the two have consistently shot down that hypothetical matchup. At the moment, 32-year-old Spence Jr. is focusing all of his efforts on aggregating every world title at 147 pounds. With both the WBC and IBF welterweight belts already in his possession, Spence Jr. is currently in the midst of a grueling training camp as he prepares to take on WBA champion, Yordenis Ugas.

Should Spence Jr. come out victorious, the Dallas native has admitted that a showdown against Terence Crawford, the division’s WBO champion, would rank highly on his priority list. Still, even with Spence Jr. having business to attend to at 147 pounds, he has hinted at a move up in weight as soon as next year.

If Spence Jr. does in fact, attempt to make the junior middleweight division his new stomping ground, a showdown against Charlo would be an intriguing, albeit unlikely one. Presently, both fighters train under the guidance of world-renowned trainer, Derrick James. Over the years, both Charlo and Spence Jr. have spent hours in the ring against one another in sparring.

Regardless of what Spence Jr. ultimately decides, Charlo isn’t concerned about a possible showdown against his good friend down the road. The WBA, WBC, IBF, and Ring Magazine champion is locked into a May 14th, rematch against current WBO 154 pound titlist, Brian Castano.

The two originally fought to a highly controversial draw on July 17th, 2021. If Charlo is successful in his bid to become an undisputed champion, he could either vacate his world titles and move up in weight, or, take on everyone who challenges him for his undisputed crown.

Posted on 03/08/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Add Jermell Charlo’s name to a long list of pugilistic fighters who crave a showdown against boxing’s biggest star, Canelo Alvarez.

“I sure wish I could be the guy to fight Canelo,” said Charlo during a recent interview with Brian Custer on The Last Stand Podcast.

Although Charlo has thrown his name in the mix, along with twin brother and current WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, former two-time super middleweight belt holder David Benavidez, multiple division champion Demetrius Andrade, and countless others – Charlo is placing most of his focus on his 154-pound division.

The current unified junior middleweight titlist is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to take on WBO belt holder Brian Castano. The two are slated to face off in an immediate rematch on May 14th, with the winner being crowned as the division’s first undisputed champion since Winky Wright in 2007. The two originally squared off in July of 2021, battling to a highly controversial split decision draw.

In addition to history being on his mind, Charlo knows good and well that a showdown against Alvarez is highly unlikely. With the Mexican star competing at 175 pounds in his next ring appearance against Dmitry Bivol, Alvarez would have to lose a considerable amount of weight in order to face Charlo.

If, however, Alvarez decided to placate Charlo and take him up on his fight offer, the heavy-hitting Houstonian wouldn’t ask Alvarez to come down entirely to the 154-pound junior middleweight limit. Instead, Charlo would be willing to meet him somewhere in the middle.

“Canelo, come to 158, I can easily make 158.”

Officially, Alvarez hasn’t fought under 160 pounds since scoring a stoppage win against Liam Smith in 2016. Alvarez’s 154-pound run was widely successful. At one point, he held the WBC, WBA, and WBO junior middleweight titles.

During said run, of course, Alvarez suffered the first and only defeat of his career against Floyd Mayweather in 2013 at a catchweight bout of 152 pounds. Alvarez was thoroughly outboxed throughout their 12 round chess match as a 36-year-old Mayweather drove his record to a then, 45-0.

Although Alvarez has improved by leaps and bounds since then, Charlo believes that if he were given the chance, his showdown against Alvarez would be deja vu for the Mexican star.

“I’ll put a boxing lesson on him, just as great as Floyd Mayweather did. It’s time they put some respect on my name in the boxing world.”

Posted on 03/04/2022

By: Hans Themistode

There was nothing Brian Castano wanted more than to step into the ring against Jermell Charlo again. With the Argentine born WBO 154 pound titlist believing the judges got it flat out wrong during their first showdown in July of 2021, the pair agreed to run things back on March 19th, at the Crypto.com Arena, in Los Angeles, California.

But while Castano began ramping up preparations for his undisputed contest, he suffered a slight bicep tear to his left arm. The result of the injury came following a sparring session against junior middleweight contender, Terrell Gausha.

Despite the injury, Charlo believed that team Castano was attempting to weasel their way out of their impending rematch. Ultimately, Castano provided the medical paperwork needed in order to prove the extent of his injury. Now, with all of the particulars out of the way, the pair will look to settle their differences once and for all on May 14th, at a still to be determined site.

Charlo, 31, has bounced back nicely since suffering the lone defeat of his career against Tony Harrison. Since the controversial decision, Charlo has gone on to win three consecutive bouts via stoppage, including an eighth-round demolition job against Jeison Rosario to begin his reign as a unified titlist.

Even with most of the 154-pound belts wrapped around Charlo’s waist, Castano believes that Charlo is at most, the second best fighter in the division. The 32-year-old come-forward fighter made it look incredibly easy during his showdown against Patrick Teixeira in 2021, winning nearly every round on all three judges’ scorecards and nabbing his first world title.

All along, Castano maintains that his championship mantle should already be filled with the remaining 154-pound titles that are currently in Charlo’s possession. As he now begins his healing process, Castano will look to make things much clearer against Charlo the second time around.

Posted on 02/17/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Terence Crawford believes he’s exhausted all of his options.

Well before officially making the move to 147 pounds in 2018, the Omaha, Nebraska native eyed a mega clash against fellow pound-for-pound star, Errol Spence Jr. Yet, no matter how loud he’s bellyached about wanting to test his skills against his longtime rival and regardless of establishing himself as one of the best fighters in the world, fast forward four years later and their contest is no closer to becoming a reality.

Though Crawford would love nothing more than to prove that he’s the best 147 pounder in the world, as the WBO titlist sits back and thinks to himself, he’s simply all out of ideas in terms of how he can lure Spence Jr. into the ring.

“I want that fight,” said Crawford during an interview with Behind The Gloves. “If it happens it happens, I’ve been calling for that fight for years now. If it don’t it don’t. I’ve gone through everybody that they put in front of me. I can’t see what I can do differently.”

Currently, the undefeated unified welterweight champion is set to return to the ring on April 16th, against another 147 pound belt holder, WBA champion, Yordenis Ugas. The two are officially slated to face off at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Admittedly, Crawford will be an interested observer on the night. Ultimately, if Crawford is unable to unify titles against the winner of Spence vs. Ugas, he won’t hang his head low. Instead, he’ll set his sights on winning every world title at 154 pounds.

“If I can’t get the Spence/Ugas winner, I would love to get the Jermell [Charlo] and [Brian] Castano winner. I can be undisputed at 154.”

Until recently, both Jermell Charlo, who holds the WBC, WBA, IBF, and Ring Magazine 154 pounds titles, and Brian Castano, who’s in possession of the WBO 154 pound crown, were scheduled to face off on March 19th, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The two originally battled to a controversial split decision draw on July 17th, 2021. With both sides unsatisfied with the way their contest played out, they agreed to rekindle their rivalry with an immediate rematch.

However, it was recently revealed that Castano has suffered a slight biceps tear, postponing their undisputed showdown for at least four weeks. Regardless of the holdup, Crawford views their postponement as an opportunity to get his feet wet in a new weight class, before targeting whomever has all four world titles at 154 pounds.

“I can have a fight and then, become undisputed at 154.”

Posted on 02/11/2022

By: Hans Themistode

An effervescent smile was immediately spread across the face of Brian Castano. Having just gone 12 hard rounds with unified super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo on July 17th, 2021, Castano believed that his undisputed title dreams were mere moments away from becoming reality.

As Castano clutched his WBO title and waited patiently for the scorecards to be read, he was incredulous with the final results. Although judge Steve Weisfeld scored it 114-113, in his favor, he was overruled by Nelson Vazquez who handed in a scorecard of 117-111 in favor of Charlo, and Tim Cheatham who viewed it 114-114.

Despite having more than six months to process what took place and review the tape, Castano is still stunned by the final verdict.

“Look, I’ve watched it many times,” said Castano during an interview with K.O. Artist Sports. “I think that of the 12 rounds, I won seven. Seven rounds I won, it was 7-5. It was, after all, a fight where I carried it. I took the initiative. He boxed retreating from the outside. He connected with some good shots but the better punches I connected with.”

According to the numbers, Castano out-landed Charlo, 173 to 151. But while those numbers were ultimately close, Castano had the landing edge in eight of their 12 rounds.

Even with his moderately higher work rate, Castano admits that there were several moments in their contest where he was in big trouble, including in the penultimate round. Although he would eventually weather the storm and fight fire with fire, Castano reveals that despite the 154 pound division housing several pernicious punchers, Charlo’s name should be at the top.

“In rounds two and ten I was hurt and then after in the 11th. I think he’s one of the hardest punchers I’ve faced. He has a respectable punch. In the division, I think he, more or less, hits the hardest.”

Regardless of Castano acknowledging that Charlo is a deleterious puncher, he’s willing to move right back into the fire. The two are officially slated to face off on March 19th, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Posted on 01/14/2022

By: Hans Themistode

After a long and successful run in the welterweight division, Danny Garcia has grown sick and tired of squeezing his enormous frame down to the 147 pound limit. So, in an effort to extend his career and return to championship glory, Garcia is currently pondering a move up in weight.

Although the Philadelphian hasn’t officially made his decision as of yet, he has revealed that even a 147 pound showdown against pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford is unlikely to happen due to his ongoing weight issues.

With Garcia’s next destination likely at 154 pounds, the former two-division titlist has set his sights on a third world title reign. At the moment, both unified super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo and WBO titlist Brian Castano, are set to face off on March 19th with undisputed glory on the line. In the meanwhile, should Garcia make the trek seven pounds north, he could be in search of a dance partner.

As things currently stand, many of the top 154 pounders are currently occupied. However, former WBC champion Tony Harrison doesn’t appear to have anything lined up on his fight calendar. Should the two face off at some point this year, newly retired Shawn Porter is of the belief that his former rival can and will pick up the victory.

“I do believe that Danny Garcia is moving up to 154,” said Porter on his podcast The Porter Way Podcast Clips. “I do believe Danny will be back in the ring again this year. I think that he would win in a fight between him and Tony Harrison.”

Garcia, 33, has grown more and more inactive over the past few years. The former welterweight champion has also produced a mixed bag of results, going 3-3 in his last six ring appearances. Most recently, Garcia was thoroughly beaten by unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. in December of 2020.

Still, despite his recent form, Porter believes a move up in weight would benefit the Philadelphia slugger. Having beaten Garcia in a hard-fought 2018 welterweight showdown, Porter is fully aware of what he’s capable of.

In addition to Porter believing that Garcia’s overall skill set is amongst the elite, he senses that Harrison has fallen from his once lofty position at 154 pounds. Following consecutive bouts against Charlo, with the latter resulting in an 11th round stoppage defeat, along with Harrison’s lackluster showing against Bryant Perrella, Porter is giving Garcia the edge in their hypothetical showdown.

“I feel like he has declined since his second fight with the Charlo brother,” continued Porter. “He got a draw against a fighter that he’s not supposed to draw against you know.”

Posted on 01/13/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Though Brian Castano has never shied away from marching into the backyard of his opponents, the current WBO 154 pound belt holder will no longer have to do it for the second time in a row.

Originally, Castano battled it out against unified super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo in AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas in July of 2021. Growing up only a few hours away in Richmond, Texas, and currently residing in Houston, Charlo had the public backing of the San Antonio crowd.

At the conclusion of their 12 round slugfest, Castano believed his dream of becoming an undisputed world champion was mere moments from becoming a reality. However, the Argentine native was incredulous as he was forced to settle for a split decision draw.

After months of intense negotiations, it appeared as though Castano was set to face Charlo in an immediate rematch that would take place in Charlo’s backyard of Houston, Texas. Nevertheless, the high octane pressure fighter will now face Charlo on neutral ground.

As first reported by BoxingScene.com, both Charlo and Castano will officially rekindle their rivalry on March 19th, in the Los Angeles California area.

Known for his high punch output, Castano was much more reserved in his offensive attack in his first showdown against Charlo. One fight prior, Castano battered and outworked former titlist, Patrick Teixeira. The long and lanky one-time belt holder was overwhelmed both physically and mentally. Castano easily ripped his world title thanks to a heavy workload of 1,136 total punches, landing 373.

While Castano attempted to apply the same sort of pressure to the truculent Charlo, he fought more cautiously once he tasted his vaunted power. On numerous occasions, the Argentine appeared to be on unsteady legs.

Despite the power edge seemingly in Charlo’s corner, Castano was still adamant that his boxing acumen and overall game plan served him well and should have resulted in his undisputed title reign. Although he was ultimately disappointed, in just a few months’ time, Castano will have the opportunity to right what he believes was an awful decision.