Philippines, 19 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Lara and Castano fight to a draw; Ortiz decisions Hammer


PhilBoxing.com




Brooklyn, New York - Erislandy Lara failed to return to the win column against unbeaten World Boxing Association super welterweight champion, Brian Carlo Castano, in the main event of a boxing card held at the Barclays Center Satuday night (Sunday in Manila).

Lara (25-3-2, 14 KOs), who lost his previous fight against Jarrett Hurd in one of the best matches of last year in Las Vegas on April 7, figured in a Split Draw versus the hard-charging Castano (15-0, 11 KOs) in a 12 round championship contest.

Castano of Buenos Aires, Argentina pressured Lara from the opening bell. He charged at his veteran opponent and punched at will against the former 154 pound champ from Guantanamo, Cuba.

On the opposite side, Lara exhibited his slickness by avoiding and evading most of Castano?s punches. He ducked at the right moment and clearly moved out of his opponent?s punches. Lara also found success with his left hand that effectively marked Castano.

The reigning champ won on Kevin Morgan?s card of 115-113 while Lara won with the same scores on John McKaie?s tally. Judge Julie Lederman gave both fighters six round each at 114-114.

?It was a great fight, but I saw myself winning eight rounds tonight. My punches were much more effective. He did have pressure but I was dominating the pressure. I was definitely expecting that pressure because he waited a long time for this fight,? said Lara who logged another draw in his career - his third.

Lara clamored for a rematch with Castano and also of that of Hurd.

?If we have to fight him again I?ll fight him. Hurd or Castano, anybody, I?ll have the rematch with both.?

Castano did not agree with the outcome and stated that he was robbed of a major victory. He remained the regular WBA 154 champ with the decision and offered Lara another crack at the title.

?It was a good fight, a clash of styles. I know I won the fight. I feel I was robbed. If he wants the rematch, I?ll give him the rematch.?

But Castano also wanted a future duel with fellow WBA champion Hurd. Hurd holds the Super Champion title of the organization.

?I?m ready for whoever they put in front of me. Hurd or anyone else.?



KING KONG DEFEATS HAMMER

Heavyweight Luis Ortiz makes a return to the venue of the only loss of his career and emerged victorious with a ten round unanimous decision win over Christian Hammer.

A year after Ortiz suffered the only defeat of his career against Deontay Wilder in an exciting championship match here at the Barclays Center in March 3 of last year, the Cuban southpaw engaged again in another entertaining scrap against a game opponent in Hammer.

The two exchanged heavy shots starting in the 2nd, Ortiz was landing his left hand with dramatic effect. Hammer would smile after getting hit and would move around the ring to avoid further contact.

Ortiz (30-1, 26 KOs) was on point with his big uppercuts, he would let his hands go when he traps Hammer in a corner. A combo of well placed body and head shots emanated from the boxer that is nicknamed ?King Kong?.

But Hammer (24-5, 14 KOs) would take all of what his foe could offer and he would just shrug and smile after being hit. The boxer from Hamburg, Germany would also not back down and would return fire of his own.

Hammer found success with his right hand. He would catch the lunging Ortiz several times with a straight and overhand right of his, enough to halt Ortiz?s momentum. He bloodied the Cuban in the 5th as a result of his effective reply.

But that was all Hammer can muster as Ortiz dominated him in most parts of the bout and in the score cards. Ortiz garnered scores of 99-91 twice and a shutout card of 100 -90, earning him his 31st win and a win here in Brooklyn.

He called out Wilder and Anthony Joshua after his win, hoping for another chance at a title shot.

?Every heavyweight out there should know that I still have it at 40. Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, I?m ready.



RAMIREZ UPSETS DE GRACIA

The first fight of the Showtime broadcast saw an upset win by Eduardo Ramirez (21-1-3, 8 KOs) against previously unbeaten Bryan De Gracia (24-1-1, 20 KOs).

Ramirez of Sinaloa, Mexico stopped De Gracia of David, Panama in the 9th round of their 12 round featherweight bout.

Down by points in two of the judges? cards at ringside while a third judge has it even, Ramirez unleashed a hard right uppercut that De Gracia did not see coming in the 9th. De Gracia?s knees buckled after the shot and Ramirez went wild over him with a barrage of punches.

Referee Benjy Esteves stopped the bout when De Gracia was hit hard again by another uppercut by Ramirez after the initial assault. The number 1 ranked World Boxing Association featherweight contender protested the stoppage but it was all for naught as his Mexican foe celebrated across the ring.

Ramirez earned the WBA Golden belt after the win and will most likely earn a title shot as this bout was a title eliminator by the above mentioned organization.

The time of stoppage was 2:12 of the 9th.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Suslenkov knocks out Mann to headline explosive IBA Pro 16 night in Serpukhov
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • AJ Manas off to a hot start in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Camila Zamorano WBC female champion health update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • PH Athletics team shines in the 2026 Singapore Open Track and Field Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Ra’eese Aleem Vows Victory Over Angelo Leo Ahead of May 9th IBF Title Fight in Atlanta
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE ‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ PENS LONG TERM EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.