Erislandy Lara appeared impacted by his age against Brian Carlos Castano. He still has some fight left in him, but he isn’t the same boxer.
Fight fans hoped that Erislandy Lara (25-3-3, 14 KOs) would look like the old Lara who bested the likes of Austin Trout and nearly defeated Canelo Alvarez, but against Brian Carlos Castano (15-0-1, 11 KOs) he just looked “old.” The March 2 bout between Lara and Castano ended in a split draw, but even an aged version of Lara is still a competitive super welterweight.
Through the first two rounds, the 35-year-old Lara looked like a younger man. Lara surprisingly walked down the youthful Castano and landed precise left hands down Castano’s guard. His hands and feet were quick as he pivoted around the ring like he hadn’t lost a step, but he couldn’t maintain the pace.
By the third round, Lara’s punch output dramatically decreased, and his mobility faltered. Castano frequently trapped him on the ropes and made him pay with hooks to the body. His mauling style started to wear Lara down. Castano definitively won the third and fourth rounds.
The rest of the fight consisted of oscillating action between Lara and Castano. They each won rounds depending on who had more energy at the moment. They set a blistering pace throughout the bout, so they had to measure themselves throughout 12 rounds of action.
According to CompuBox punch stats (via Boxingscene.com), Lara and Castano combined to throw 1,688 total punches. Castano landed more total punches with 195 to Lara’s 130. Based on that stat alone, it would be easy to think that Castano deserved the win, but total punches don’t tell the whole tale.
Lara took control of the fight from rounds seven through nine, but Castano sensed that he was letting the contest get away from him. He fought like a desperate man from rounds 10-12 and Lara wasn’t able to match his intensity.
It was no surprise when the judges returned a score of 114-114 and two cards of 115-113 divided in favor of each boxer. The result was a split-draw which was a fair outcome. Predictably, Lara thought he won, and Castano thought he was robbed.
“I know I won the fight. I feel I was robbed,” Castano told Showtime’s, Jim Gray.
Lara offered his perspective, “I thought I won the fight by landing the more accurate and effective punches.”
The outcome is a draw on each man’s record with Castano retaining his WBA “regular” super welterweight title.
Castano acquitted himself well against Lara. He proved that he’s a world-class boxer who is sure to gain more respect after his performance.
Lara isn’t the same fighter he was five years ago. His age is a factor, and it has affected his ability, but he’s still good enough to be a top-10 super welterweight in the world. However, the chances that he regains a major world title are slim.
If Lara can’t earn a victory over Castano, then he doesn’t stand much of a chance against WBO champion Jaime Munguia or IBF and WBA champion Jarrett Hurd to whom he already lost. He would be a tough opponent for WBC champion Tony Harrison although Harrison is even younger than Castano at 28 years old.
Lara is nearing the end of his career. His skills are intact, but his athleticism isn’t what it once was. He could fight Castano again in a rematch which might be his best option. He’s still a threat, but he’s no longer an intimidating force. It will be interesting to see his next move.
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