Big Time Boxing Returns to San Antonio

Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez has called Texas his "second home" he has fought in Galveston Island, Corpus Christ, the RGV, and previously in San Antonio in recent years. He has built up a loyal fan base and has become a draw here in the Lose Star State. He will return to San Antoni on Saturday to battle with hard-hitting Cuban contender Yunieski Gonzalez 21-3 (17). Gonzalez is certainly a worthy opponent but is certainly the B-side and a sizeable underdog to the 42-0 (28) Ramirez, who has bigger plans after this fight. The winner will be mandatory for WBA light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol, a fight that Ramirez is already looking forward to saying "Bivol is my number one target since he's been calling me out and publicly announcing that he's ready, thanks to the WBA and Mr. Gilberto Mendoza, this fight is the eliminator and he'll have no choice but to face me or vacate the belt." 

The card features an intriguing co-main and a stacked undercard. The co-main is an intriguing woman's scrap between pound for pound elite and is headlined by  WBA mini weight titleholder Seniesa Estrada, who puts her belts and perfect 21-0 (8) against undefeated Guatemalan contender Maria Micheo Santizo 9-0 (5). Also on the undercard is the NABA super featherweight title as former world title challenger Lamont Roach looks to continue his two-fight win streak against former super featherweight world titleholder Rene Alvarado of Nicaragua. In which will be an intriguing contrast of style, both fighters like to come forward and mi it up combined with Roach's new found power this fight promises to deliver non-stop action.

Two Texans are on the card as well. As Marlen Esparza, 10-1 (1)  of Houston puts her WBC women's flyweight title on the line against Anabel Ortiz, 31-4 (4) of Mexico in a highly anticipated showdown.  Ortiz last fought in Texas, dropping a 10-round decision to Estrada at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Also, is the return of fan-favorite San Antonio native Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda who looks to snap a four-fight slide and pick up the NABF welterweight title as he battles undefeated prospect, Raul Curiel in a 10 round affair. 

The card starts at 3:30CST, with Norfolk, Virginia, native, Nicholas Sullivan kicks off the action and is aired on Golden Boy's Facebook page with commentary from there Rincon Brothers (Alex & George) of Carrolton. The fight then moves to DAZN at 8PM CST.

Kendo Castaneda Looks to Bounce Back

It wasn't long ago that Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda seemed like a star in the making. He had headlined RJJ Promotions cards, had compiled a 17-0 record captured a WBA (NABA) 140-pound title. He had championship talent and the personality to match. However, Castaneda, who hails from San Antonio, ran into a series of speed bumps. Just prior to the pandemic he went down to Florida and fought a fellow prospect in Yomar Alamo of Puerto Rico. Castaneda got his pocket picked in what was one of the worst decisions of 2020. He lost a decision to a house fighter fighting in front of his local fans. Not a first in boxing and it didn't seem to hurt Castaneda that much, the entire world thought he won and he was actually given a bigger fight, a huge opportunity. During the height of the pandemic in the summer of 2020, Castaneda was rewarded with a fight against Jose Zepeda. A fight in the main event with one of the premier 140-pound fighters on ESPN with just not the boxing world watching, but the entire sporting world watching as there were no other sports on. "Tremendo" took the fight on short notice and fought valiantly coming up just short in a decision loss.  When asked if he had a full camp to prepare for the fight would the result ahve been different? He responded "Of course" and perhaps it would have been. 

Three months later Castaneda was given another big fight against Top Rank's premier prospect  Josue Vargas. Castaneda was not on point and handed in a career worse performance, being dropped and then ultimately dropping a lopsided decision. Things got worse when he dropped yet another decision to Mauricio Pintor in Mexico in April of this year. Castaneda had a few fights fall through and things looked bleak for the once-promising San Antonio Prospect. The now 28-year-old ring veteran gets a big opportunity in his hometown. As he battles unbeaten Golden Boy prospect Raul Curiel on the undercard of Gilberto Ramirez vs Yunieski Gonzalez. A big fight for the San Antonian and the best news is he gets to return home and fight in front of his Alamo City fanbase at the AT&T Center. an experience the Tremoundous one is excited for saying "I am honored, I am just happy to be back in front of my main support systems"

There is good reason for optimism in the Tremendo camp. Castaneda is back with his former trainer "Jesse" James Leija a former world champion who had been with Castaneda when he was an up-and-coming prospect. Additionally, Castaneda is fighting at a new and more comfortable weight, he has moved up to welterweight. Saying "it's still a struggle but I'm making weight better than I did at 140" adding "I am here to stay at '47 and I want all the fights at 147" Getting all those fights begins tomorrow, right back where it all started in San Antonio with Leija in his corner. A win over a fighter, Curiel, who does fight into Catendas hands, could lead him to bigger fights with the other big names in Golden Boy's stable of welterweights which include, Rashidi Ellis, Alexis Rocha, and Blair Cobbs.