Charlo vs Castano 2 Preview
A dynamic title unification bout is going down in Los Angeles on Saturday May 14th. Jermell Charlo will be defending his WBC, IBF, and WBA junior middleweight titles and fighting for the WBO title against fellow champion Brian Castano. The fight is a rematch after the two fought to a split draw last July.
Charlo is a two-time champion having held the WBC title since 2019 and previously from 2016 to 2018. He has owned the IBF and WBA titles since September 2020 where he defeated Jeison Rosario by 8th round KO.
Charlo is ready to prove that he deserves to be a unified champion. “I thought I won the first fight, period,” said Charlo. “I hurt him way more. He may have edged a few rounds. I won the early rounds of the fight and the late rounds of the fight.”
The 31-year-old has a more focused approach on Castano this time around. “I’m locked in a little bit different this time,” he said. “I’m more dedicated than I’ve ever been. I’m hungrier. I don’t know what’s next after this opportunity in my life and I’m glad that God gave me the opportunity to face the same guy and just put on a better performance. This is about me being the best Jermell Charlo.”
Aside from Rosario, Charlo has key victories in his career over Tony Harrison, Austin Trout, Erickson Lubin, Charles Hatley, Joachim Alcine and Vanes Martirosyan. Charlo wants to go down as the best in his division with a win on Saturday.
“Once the story is written and the book is finished, everyone’s going to come back and say that Jermell Charlo did a really good job at 154,” he said. “I held it down. I’m proud of what I’ve done in the division, but I have to get Castano out of the way. I have to show all the fans why I’m the number one guy that’s been the number one guy for so many years.”
Castano is a former WBA junior middleweight champion and has held the WBO title since February 2021 where he defeated Patrick Texeira by unanimous decision. The 32-year-old believes he made his mark in the first fight with Charlo but can do much more with a victory on Saturday.
“The first fight against Charlo was seen by a lot of people, and a lot of them asked themselves ‘yo, who’s this guy?’,” said Castaño.
The Argentinian believes the boxing world took notice after the first fight and will most certainly be tuned in to see who wins the rematch.
“Many people started watching my old fights after my first bout with Charlo and started following me and sending me messages from all over the world, especially Mexicans and Latinos in general. I know I will have part of the live audience on my side, the Argentine fans and Latinos in general. I expect a good turnout. It is great because it is a plus to have your people rally around you and cheer for you on that night, and especially fighting abroad. I am very happy about that.”
Castano is confident heading into Saturday and believes he will be victorious.
“The truth is that when I am alone with myself I visualize the fight, round by round. I see myself landing the hardest blows and knocking him out, and having my hand raised. Those are things you have to envision and be ready. I am ready for that, but you have to be ready to lose or draw as well. This is a tough fight, and in a heartbeat you can end up on the floor. That’s why I have my mind set on a victory, with all my preparation and my desire, but I know this is a flip coin of a fight, and anyone can wind up on the canvas. I just imagine myself winning it. I hope it is inside the distance.”
A win over Charlo would mark the biggest of Castano’s career and he would solidify himself as the champion to beat at junior middleweight.
