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Yes, I had it a draw. But here's the thing.
I counted FOUR swing rounds. That's a lot. But what's more important is why there were so many swing rounds.
Charlo didn't show up. Actually, he did show up, but Castano exposed that Charlo is not skilled like he thinks he is, and I'm on record: Erislandy Lara fully invested, even now, beats Jermell Charlo.
Because as I said, Lara almost pitched a shutout against Castano on my card (admittedly a more aggressive version of).
Charlo's problem is simple. He kept headhunting for 10 rounds against a guy who kept a high guard. Why? Because he kept getting clipped by the overhand right. But the thing is, Castano would only throw that shot in response to a jab attempt upstairs. Meanwhile, Castano's body was wide open the vast majority of the fight and whatever happened to Charlo in Round 3 really messed with his mind for the rest of the fight. But anytime Charlo threw a combination, he landed. Anytime he came forward aggressive, he landed. Just like F'n Lara. But he refused to throw combos in all but two rounds and he kept going back to the ropes like a dumbass.
You know what it reminded me of?
Broner/Maidana.
Almost the same flow of the fight with an overly aggressive opponent and Broner taking over late in the fight, but otherwise not busy enough and constantly going to the ropes and getting nailed.
Castano didn't show me he was a highly skilled fighter. He showed me that Jermell Charlo is already declining. He's becoming what Broner became - a guy who won't show up until the championship rounds.
So, I didn't see a robbery. I saw a close fight again. But with four swing rounds - and you can read my notes - you can argue
The 117 Charlo card was a judge who basically did what NSB suggested do, which is this notion of "take it from the champion" - default it to Charlo because he has more belts and is the A-Side.
Yes, I had it a draw. But here's the thing.
I counted FOUR swing rounds. That's a lot. But what's more important is why there were so many swing rounds.
Charlo didn't show up. Actually, he did show up, but Castano exposed that Charlo is not skilled like he thinks he is, and I'm on record: Erislandy Lara fully invested, even now, beats Jermell Charlo.
Because as I said, Lara almost pitched a shutout against Castano on my card (admittedly a more aggressive version of).
Charlo's problem is simple. He kept headhunting for 10 rounds against a guy who kept a high guard. Why? Because he kept getting clipped by the overhand right. But the thing is, Castano would only throw that shot in response to a jab attempt upstairs. Meanwhile, Castano's body was wide open the vast majority of the fight and whatever happened to Charlo in Round 3 really messed with his mind for the rest of the fight. But anytime Charlo threw a combination, he landed. Anytime he came forward aggressive, he landed. Just like F'n Lara. But he refused to throw combos in all but two rounds and he kept going back to the ropes like a dumbass.
You know what it reminded me of?
Broner/Maidana.
Almost the same flow of the fight with an overly aggressive opponent and Broner taking over late in the fight, but otherwise not busy enough and constantly going to the ropes and getting nailed.
Castano didn't show me he was a highly skilled fighter. He showed me that Jermell Charlo is already declining. He's becoming what Broner became - a guy who won't show up until the championship rounds.
So, I didn't see a robbery. I saw a close fight again. But with four swing rounds - and you can read my notes - you can argue
- 117-111 for either guy
- 116-112 for either guy
- A draw
- 115-113 for either guy
The 117 Charlo card was a judge who basically did what NSB suggested do, which is this notion of "take it from the champion" - default it to Charlo because he has more belts and is the A-Side.
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