Brian Castano Welcomes Charlo Predicting Knockout In Rematch

On Thursday afternoon in Southern California, WBO jr. middleweight champ Brian Castano and Unified WBC/IBF/WBO world champ Jermell Charlo met with the media for the final time in advance of their Saturday night rematch. And, despite the repeated assurances, including Thursday, from Charlo that he’ll knock Castano out this time, the Argentine says the Texan can predict whatever he wants. But, Castano wanted to make clear that saying so doesn’t just make it happen.

The two will meet in the Showtime Boxing/PBC main event from the Dignity Health Sports Complex in Carson, CA, Saturday night.

.@TwinCharlo is looking for the finish 👀#CharloCastano2 pic.twitter.com/XhRIXU4vPD

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 12, 2022

“He can say whatever he wants. I could care less if he wants to knock me out. Let’s go out there and see if he can withstand my punishment for 12 rounds,” Castano said.

“The lack of respect he has for a fellow athlete bothered me. He said a lot of things that I thought were out of line. I don’t know why he’s all edgy and screaming and nervous. I’d rather him show that energy in the ring.”

He did “show that energy in the ring” in their bout last summer. The two battled to a 12 round draw in San Antonio, TX, last July in a fight that many believed Castano, now 17-0-2, won by banking enough of the first 10 rounds. Clearly, Charlo, sensing that he could be losing, scored the more effective punches late in the bout and actually rocked Castano on a couple of occasions to salvage the split draw and retain his titles.

Hear Dan Rafael and me previewing Charlo-Castano 2 and all the action this weekend. Plus, hear Dan’s one on one interview with hall of famer Oscar De La Hoya on the “Big Fight Weekend Preview” podcast by clicking play below,

As for the unified champ, Charlo repeated Thursday like he has in all the media buildup that expects a KO Saturday night,

“I’ve worked very hard since last July. I know with the dedication that me and Derrick James, along with my whole team, including Joan Guzman, put in, that we’re ready. All I have to do is go in there and put it all on the line,’ Charlo said.

“Knocking people out is what the f*** I do. That’s what I’m known for. I’m known for the power and I’m known for the speed. That’s what I’m doing.

“I didn’t finish him so I think that was the only mistake I made. I’m usually a closer. I have that on the back of my mind. One he’s hurt again, and hopefully it’s earlier than later, it’s over.”

Now, we’re about to find out who’s right about the KO, or not, on Saturday night.