Showtime Made Charlo-Castano Full Card Official Wednesday
On Wednesday afternoon, Showtime made official the Undisputed 154 lb. battle between Unified WBC, WBA and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo and WBO World Champion Brian Castaño. The two will meet in a rematch of one of 2021’s most significant fights, and again seek to become the first ever undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era on Saturday, May 14 live on Showtime premium service from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.
The rematch will be headlining the Premier Boxing Champions event, which includes talented unbeaten Welterweight contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis in the co-feature.
Charlo vs. Castaño II was previously announced to take place on March 19, but had to be rescheduled after Castaño suffered an arm injury in training.
In an instant classic, Charlo and Castaño went toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds on July 17, 2021 on Showtime, with the back-and-forth tilt ending in a split-decision draw. Each fighter believed they had done enough to have their hand raised in the first fight and will look to leave no doubt in the rematch.
Houston’s Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) became a unified champion in September 2020, dropping Jeison Rosario three times on his way to an eighth-round knockout that earned him the WBA and IBF titles. Before that fight, Charlo had avenged the only loss of his career, as he reclaimed his WBC belt via an 11th-round knockout of Tony Harrison in one of 2019’s best fights.
“I’m the unified champ and I’ve got business to finish,” said Charlo. “My total goal as a kid was to win all of the belts as a professional and I plan to make history yet again on May 14, in front of my west coast fans and all across the world. If you know me, you know how I don’t take opportunities lightly – Lions Only, the time is now! Make sure you tune-in May 14.”
The 32-year-old Castaño (17-0-2, 12 KOs) put on a spectacular performance to capture the WBO title in February 2021, as he dominated Patrick Teixeira to wrest the belt away via unanimous decision. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a win for Castaño on May 14 would be a monumental achievement in the storied history of Argentine boxing.
Prior to winning his title, Castaño fought to a draw against two-division world champion Erislandy Lara in a 2019 action fight. He also owns triumphs over Michel Soro, Cedric Vitu and Wale Omotoso. A highly experienced amateur, Castaño notched victories over unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and top middleweight Sergiy Derevyanchenko before he turned pro.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to face Charlo again for all four titles,” said Castaño. “This is champion vs. champion, just like it should be. The first fight was a great war The rematch will be no different, but this time I won’t leave it in the judges’ hands. This is my era, and I will prove it.”
As for the co-feature, “Boots Ennis will face unbeaten Canadian Olympian Custio Clayton in an IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator.
Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs) is the latest in the pantheon of outstanding Philadelphia fighters, combining sublime boxing skills with natural power in both hands. After numerous appearances on SHOBOX: The New Generation, the 24-year-old Ennis graduated to headlining his first Showtime telecast in April 2021, as he became the first fighter to stop former world champion Sergey Lipinets He followed up that performance with an impressive first-round stoppage of veteran contender Thomas Dulorme in October.
The knockout victory gave Ennis 18 KOs in his last 19 fights, with the only blemish being a no-decision in the first round against Chris van Heerden in December 2020.
“I can’t wait for this fight,” said Ennis. “This one means a lot to me. This is another step towards becoming a world champion. My time is now. Camp is going great, and I can’t wait to shine and put on a spectacular performance come May 14. It’s time for me to continue making big statements.”
A 2012 Canadian Olympian, Clayton (19-0-1, 12 KOs) fights out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada and will compete in the U.S. for the third straight time on May 14. The 34-year-old impressed in his U.S. debut in 2020, stepping in as a late replacement to fight Lipinets to a draw. Clayton most recently earned a 10-round unanimous decision over Cameron Krael in December 2021.
Kicking off the telecast, Mexican contender Kevin González puts his unbeaten record on the line against Puerto Rico’s Emanuel Rivera in a 10-round super bantamweight attraction.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
