Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano fought to crown an undisputed 154 lb champion, but went to a controversial split draw instead, highlighted (so to speak) by judge Nelson Vazquez’s awful 117-111 Charlo card.
That was a particular highlight of the boxing Twitter reaction to the fight, which largely saw both fighters praised, and they should have been. Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KO) and Castano (17-0-2, 12 KO) put on a great fight, proving they’re both truly top tier fighters, the clear top guys at this weight right now. Each had their moments where they seemed to have clear control, only for the other to battle back. It was a terrific fight and the San Antonio crowd made it even better.
It’s a fight that begs for a rematch, and we’ll see if we get one. For now, a sampling of what some of the boxing world said in the immediate aftermath, with, again, a clear focus on how Godawful Nelson Vazquez’s miserable, inexcusable card really was.
Great fight. Close fight. I want to see a rematch. I had Castano winning. 117-111 was a terrible score card. Terrible !
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) July 18, 2021
Draw is fair IMO.
— Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@IsheSugarShay) July 18, 2021
117 is absolutely horrible. That judge shouldn’t be allowed to work@any more fights.
— Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@IsheSugarShay) July 18, 2021
117-111 Charlo was filled out before the fight. Just awful. Other two scores were within reason. Draw was kind to Charlo, imho, but coulda been worse. High quality fight. #CharloCastaño #boxing
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) July 18, 2021
That 117-111 charlo judge needs to never judge again!!
— Kal Yafai (@iam_yafai) July 18, 2021
117-111 judge should be fired!! ♂️
— Eddie Chambers (@champfasteddie) July 18, 2021
Great fight great call
— Tony Harrison (@Iamboxing) July 18, 2021
Man I think charlo lost this one.
— Arnold Barboza jr (@jrBarbozaArnold) July 18, 2021
117-111 is criminal and very sad that boxing keeps doing this. Draw is more like it.
— Stephen Edwards (@BreadmanBoxing) July 18, 2021
Highway Robbery !
— Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson (@lorenzo_simpson) July 18, 2021