Lara vs. Castano Ends in Spilt Draw

Erislandy Lara is unsuccessful in his attempt to regain super welterweight gold, as the title bout between him and WBA (Regular) champion Brian Castano ends in a split draw.

Lara got off to a fine shot, showing good work around the ring overall in the opening rounds between cutting off the ring, working the jab controlling the pace and counterstriking. But Castano adjusted in the third round, not allowing Lara to get on the inside and damaging Lara’s eye to the point there was swelling around it.

.@brian_boxi working his right in Round 3. #LaraCastano pic.twitter.com/vygltRZtre

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 3, 2019

That fourth round may have been a turning point for the fight, as Castano took over control and over the next few rounds outproduced Lara, applied a lot of pressure and got Lara in trouble with his back to the ropes at a few points.

.@brian_boxi cuffing @Laraboxing up in the 9th. #LaraCastano pic.twitter.com/qhg7srTIzh

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 3, 2019

Lara started to come back early in the second half of the fight, finding his jab and the distance once again. But after two very close, even ninth and 10th rounds, Castano won back control in the 11th with his pressure. And after a close closing round, the bouts went to the cards, with both men thinking they had the win in the bag.

Back-and-forth action in Round 7 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/aBUL7kBhn8

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 3, 2019

One judge gave each man a 115-113 victory, while the third scored it 114-114, making the bout a split draw.

#LaraCastano results in a split decision draw after 12 rounds. @Laraboxing | @brian_boxi pic.twitter.com/F8pSnNKkrE

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 3, 2019

On the undercard, Luis Ortiz dominated Christian Hammer early before tiring out and getting the win with a unanimous decision. And Eduardo Ramirez scored a sudden, yet controversial ninth-round stoppage over Bryan de Garcia.