By: Hans Themistode
A dumpling smile immediately spread across Brian Castano’s face. Having just spent 12 tough rounds with unified super heavyweight champion Jermell Charlo on July 17, 2021, Castano believes his undisputed title dream is just a moment coming true. .
As Castano clutched his WBO title and patiently waited for the scorecard to be read, he was deeply skeptical of the final outcome. Although judge Steve Weisfeld scored it 114-113, he was beaten by Nelson Vazquez, who awarded it a 117-111 scorecard in favor of Charlo, and Tim Cheatham who viewed it 114-114.
Despite having more than six months to process what happened and review the tape, Castano is still stunned by the final verdict.
Castano said in an interview with KO Artist Sports. “I think out of 12 rounds, I won seven. Seven rounds I won, the score was 7-5. After all, it was a fight that I brought it to. I was proactive. He boxed a retreat from the outside. He connects with some good shots but I connect with better punches. ”
By the numbers, Castano landed Charlo, from 173 to 151. But while those numbers ended up being roughly equal, Castano had the edge to land in eight of their 12 laps.
Even with his moderately higher work rate, Castano admits that there were some points in their competition where he was in big trouble, including in the penultimate round. Although he will eventually weather the storm and fight fire, Castano revealed that although the £154 division has many vicious punchers, Charlo’s name should still come out on top.
“In the 2nd and 10th rounds, I was sore and then in the 11th round, I think he was one of the hardest fighters I’ve ever faced. He has a respectable punch. In the squad, I think he is, more or less, the hardest hit.”
Regardless of Castano admitting Charlo is a notorious puncher, he’s ready to return to the fire in no time. The two are officially scheduled to go head-to-head on March 19, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
