One less hurdle remains in the path of a rematch to crown an undisputed junior middleweight champion.
Lineal/WBC/WBA/IBF champion Jermell Charlo and WBO titlist Brian Castano were provided the opportunity to produce a single divisional king, only to fight to a twelve-round, split decision draw this past July at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Showtime-televised championships affair came with the blessing of all four sanctioning bodies, though with the threat of two mandatory challenges looming ahead.
At least one is no longer an issue.
BoxingScene.com has learned that the World Boxing Organization (WBO) will refrain from ordering a mandatory title fight between Castano (17-0-1, 12KOs) and number-one contender Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15KOs). Sources indicate that an agreement has been reached between all parties, which is expected to be confirmed immediately before or after the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The suggested agreement in place would permit Castaño to enter a targeted rematch with Charlo (34-1-1, 18KOs), with Tszyu waiting in the wings.
Representatives from the WBO did not respond to an inquiry seeking comment as this goes to publish. Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)—which represents Charlo and Castaño—does not offer public comment on fights not yet announced.
On the other side of the equation is the IBF, who continues to work with Charlo and Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev (19-0, 14KOs) as it relates to the sanctioning body’s overdue mandatory title defense.
Murtazaliev become the top-rated IBF contender following a twelve-round decision over Jorge Fortea in November 2019. The unbeaten Russian has since fought on the non-televised undercard of two consecutive cards headlined by Charlo as part of an agreed-upon step-aside package, including an eight-round points win over Khiary Gray in supporting capacity to Charlo-Castaño this past July.
The arrangement between Charlo and Murtazaliev is not immediately clear as this goes to publish, though also not at all expected to serve as a deterrent in moving forward with Charlo-Castaño II. Rumors have swirled of the second act taking place in Charlo’s hometown of Houston, though BoxingScene.com has learned that the fight itself is not yet finalized.
Whenever a deal is reached between the top two junior middleweights, it will come free of restrictions from the sanctioning bodies—always a welcomed sight in a sport otherwise hindered by such politics.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox