PHOTOS: Erislandy Lara and Brian Castano Battle to 12-Round Split=Draw at The Barclays Center

Erislandy Lara and Brian Castano (Photo: Stephanie Trapp – SHOWTIME)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, March 2, former junior middleweight champion Erislandy Lara and current WBA junior middleweight champion Brian Castano battled to a highly-competitive 12-round split-draw that was extremely hard to score. The action took place on SHOWTIME from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with scorecards reading 115-113 Castano, 115-113 Lara, and 114-114.

Castaño (15-0-1, 11 KOs), was able to outland his opponent (181-103) with power shots, yet Lara (25-3-3, 14 KOs) was the far more effective boxer, as he dictated the pace of the fight while landing 34% of his shots compared to 27% for his Argentinean foe.

Obviously, after the dust had settled, each man felt like they had done enough for the victory.

“I know I won the fight; I feel I was robbed,” Castano stated. “If he wants the rematch, I’ll give him the rematch. I waited for him this time so I can wait for him again if he wants the rematch. I can also go ahead and fight any other champion that wants to fight me. I’m ready for whoever they put in front of me. Hurd or anyone else.”

Lara saw things differently.

“I thought I won the fight by landing the more accurate and effective punches,” the Cuban prizefighter said. “Castaño came to fight but he never hurt me and I hurt him. All I can do is give the fans great fights and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I have a lot of fight left in me and I’m not going anywhere.”

Could a rematch be coming anytime soon? For now, check below for a closer look at the ringside action from this excellent fight.