BOXING will crown only its sixth undisputed champion of the modern era this weekend when all four recognised sanctioning body belts will be on the line in San Antonio, Texas.
WBC, WBA and IBF kingpin Jermell Charlo aims to add Brian Castano’s WBO title belt to his collection in a ground-breaking fight for the (11st) light-middleweight division.
Saturday’s victor will be added to an elite list of champions that includes at middleweight Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor, light-welterweight Terence Crawford, cruiserweight Oleksander Usyk and Scotland’s own newly-minted undisputed light-welter Josh Taylor.
Charlo starts as favourite, despite carrying the only loss in the combined 53-fight records of both champions. With home advantage, expect the long-time WBC champion to throw heavy shots from the opening bell, after all, he’s bagged six knockouts in his last seven victories.
The sole loss on his 34-1 record – a 12-round decision to Tony Harrison in 2018 – was avenged with an 11th round TKO 12 months later. And, last September, he added both the WBA and IBF belts too, with a bruising eighth round knockout of Jeison Rasario, who was on the canvas three times.
After identical twin brother Jermall, the current world middleweight champion, was dragged over the distance in his latest title defence just last month, expect Jermell to come out swinging this weekend as the competitive rivalry between the siblings drives towards a more impressive finish.
Who's ready to see Jermell Charlo in action? pic.twitter.com/jEfmiHqz0w
— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) July 14, 2021
Argentinian Castano, also 31, captured his world title in February, producing a masterclass to run away with a points decision against fancied Brazilian Patrick Teixeira in an upset.
The only blemish on Castano’s 18-fight record is a 2019 split decision draw with outstanding Cuban former amateur and pro world champion Erislandy Lara. Another performance that bucked the odds.
Stylistically, Castano is tight and compact and at five-foot-seven he’s six inches shorter than Charlo with a six-inch reach disadvantage too. But he’s used to being the smaller guy and so doesn’t take chances.
The South American is an intelligent volume puncher that utilises good footwork and a tight guard to keep himself out of trouble going backwards. He also holds a win over the outstanding Errol Spence Jr from his amateur days, and as a pro his own 71% knockout rate must be respected.
When @brian_boxi met Erislandy Lara in the ring in March, 2019, they fought to a split decision draw in an action packed. Many thought Castano was the busier, bigger puncher in the fight. How did you score the fight?
Watch #LaraCastano again today: https://t.co/WFLM0ujea5 pic.twitter.com/hdsKDxBF8l
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 15, 2021
The pressure is on Charlo, at home, to register another trademark one-punch knockout. Fast and aggressive, he’s got a great jab, a fight ending right hand and bags of big fight experience.
But Castano is a problem for anybody at 154lb and this fight is far more evenly matched than the odds may suggest.
Fittingly, for a unification fight with this much consequence, I’m gearing up for a potential fight of the year contender.
Outscoring flashy Charlo on home soil may prove a step too far, but this fight will swing one way and then the next before we finally hear from the judges.
TIP: Charlo on Points (4/5)
