Philippines, 23 May 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:

  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Cavaliers 109-93 Behind Hart’s Postseason Career-High 26 in East Finals
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Rep. Barzaga invited in Bakbakan sa Putatan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Weights Set from San Jose: Amari Jones and Vincenzo Gualtieri Cleared for IBF Middleweight Eliminator
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Gilgeous-Alexander Back to MVP Form as Thunder Top Spurs 122-113 in West Game 2
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • IBA flag raised at the peak of Mount Everest following historic ascent
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Gustavo Trujillo Looks to Continue his Rise in the Heavyweight Division
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante rules 2026 Buffalo’s Pro Classic 1 Ball One Pocket Division
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures Eight More Victories on Day Three of 2026 Copa America
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Filipino grabs second place in the National Canada Chess Challenge 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
    , Wed, 20 May 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.