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Mike CoppingerESPN
SAN ANTONIO — Brian Castano appeared to clearly topple Jermell Charlo to claim the undisputed 154-pound championship in an upset, but two judges disagreed, delivering a controversial split draw Saturday night at AT&T Center.
One judge scored it 114-114, while another scored it 114-113 for Castano; a third judge turned in a head-scratching 117-111 tally in favor of Charlo.
Charlo, who is from Houston, was cheered vociferously throughout the 12-round fight, but it was Castano who was applauded in the end.
“I won the fight definitely,” Castano said through a translator. Then he laid out what he wants in plain English: “I hope there’s a rematch. He’s a great fighter. I want the rematch.”
Charlo, of course, disagreed. He appeared to be conceding rounds to the hard-charging Castano before he landed a fight-altering shot in Round 10 that sent the Argentine reeling for the remainder of the frame.
The three-belt champion swept the final three rounds on all three scorecards to pull out the draw and retain his status as unified champion. Castano remains a 154-pound titleholder as well.
“The draw wasn’t what I wanted to hear,” Charlo said. “I thought I won this fight. … Brian Castano is a tough warrior.”