Kendo Castaneda: One Tremendous Win Away

Three Years ago Kendo "Tremendo "Castaneda of San Antonio, held the WBA-NABA 140-pound title. He had just run his record to 17-0 (8) and appeared to be on the verge of a world title fight. He scored a career-best win, via sixth-round TKO over rugged contender Stan Martyniouk. Since that day it has been a rollercoaster ride for the Alamo City native. Castaneda lost five fights in a row, moved up to 147, and then back down to 140, to enter the PROBOX last chance tournament. A tournament made up of eight contenders who have championship skills and pedigree but had suffered career setbacks.

It was a career-changing decision for Castaneda, who has completely rejuvenated his career in the past six months. Castaneda's trainer Ronnie Cantu explained his fighters mindset after five straight losses and going into the Last Chance tournament "If you know Kendo, Kendo will always stay the same... He's always the same after every win and every loss he's exactly the same." Back in May, in the first round, Castaneda scored a tremendous first-round knockout that is still the leader in the clubhouse for KO of the year over Sonny Fredrickson. He then followed that up with a fight-of-the-year type war with Joseph Fernandez. In a fight, Castaneda turned the tide during that very dramatic ninth round and scored a unanimous decision victory. A fight that's on a short list for "Fight of the Year" motivated and directed by his longtime friend and now trainer Ronnie Cantu, who should be in the running for "Trainer of the Year", The San Antonian finds himself in the finals of the ProBox Last Chance tournament with Antonio Moran standing in his way. A win against Moran, who has scored consecutive victories over Jeffrey Torres and Michael Dutvhover of Midland, puts Castaneda right back where he was when he was that hotshot 17-0 prospect back in 2019! On the verge of a world title shot. A dream Castaneda and his trainer and long time best friend are achieving together. Cantu explained "we grew up together, we grew up in the amateur ranks together, we believe in each other and push each other."

Ronnie Cantu Has Long Time Friend Kendo Castaneda Back on Top

When former WBA-NABA 140 pound champion and former blue blue-chip hip prospect Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda of San Antonio entered the "Last Chance" tournament and hired brought in klargerly unknown trainer Ronnie Cantu as his head trainer. It seemed like an odd move. Castaneda had loss five consecutive fights and  hadnt won since October of 2019 and the 28-year-old Cantu hadn't been the head trainer in a high-profile fight. However, the life long friends knew exactly waht they were doing. "we've been friends for 18 years. I met him when we were both 10 and were both 28 now. The chemistry is something special which is why it's working. We understand each other on a different level. I don't even have to say things sometimes and he already knows. 

Its been a match made in heaven as of September Cantu has a strong case for trainer of the year, and Castaneda has a claim for comeback fighter of the year, KO of the year over (Sonny Fredrickson), and Fight of the Year ( Joseph Fernandez). Castaneda who has had famed trainer Bobby Benton of Main St Gym in Houston and former world champ James Leija as the main man in his corner. Neither of them were able to maximize Castaneda's natural gifts, his physical strength, high punch out put, surprising pop in both hands and come forward style the way Cantu has. The young trainer explained  "Kendo and I grew up together in the ametur ranks... we believe in each other and we push each other. " The belief in Cantu has proven to be perhaps the best move of Castaneda's tremendous career. The two wins Castaneda has scored in the first two rounds of the "Last Chance" tournament has totally rejuvenated career. Following the five consecutive loses Castaneda's career seemed to be spiraling downwards. However, Castaneda never doubted himself, his trainer and vest friend described his fighter's confidence "if you know Kendo he will always stay the same. We were in the fighter meeting with Roy Jones R, (Antonio) Taver, (Paulie) Malignaggi and they were like freaking out. This guys energy is crazy after 5 losses. How do you have that energy? But that's just Kendo, he has always been the same. After every win and loss, he is the same person." 

In the first round of the ProBox Last Chance Tournament Castaneda scored a vicious first-round knockout. A left hook was set up by a double right hand. Exactly the way Cantu drew it up "the plan was to double up everything to take away that reach advantage we couldn't throw just one. It was the double right hand and the left hook just opened up" the San Antonio-based trainer explained.

Up next was Joseph Fernandez a fight that very well could be the 2022 Fight of the Year. A back and forth affair that produced what has to be the round of the year so far in the ninth. Prior to the start of the round, the microphones picked up Cantu telling Castaneda six-minutes for the rest of your life. Cantu, a veteran of over 100 ameture fights said before the epic ninth round  I knew something was up. I am telling what to do and  hes doing it but then it jsut stops. I asked him what's going on and he said "bro I am retired" As a fighter who has been through this  You can't really tell him anything at that point the mental fatigue kicks in execute you can't really execute because your tired. My instincts kicked in. Ok i gotta motivate him now. I just gotta push him. So I was like ok you got two rounds, six-minutes, for the rest of your life that's it. The next round the fight changed." 

Changed it did as Castaneda nearly scored a stoppage of Fernandez and went on to score the unanimous decision.  He'll battle with Antonio Moran who has been in the ring with Devin Haney, Jose Pedraza and Arnold Barboza and has been equally impressive in the first two rounds of the Last Chance Tournament. A win in the finals will propel Castaneda not just to where he was when he was a 17-0 champion but will put him in the discussion for a world title. A fight with Moran certainly won't be easier and the trainer/fighter duo is thankful for the war they endured with Fernandez in the semi-finals of the tournament  "He needed that he needed to be pushed like that to be prepared for a tough war with Moran" Cantu explained.

The finals of Last Chance  vs Moran is scheduled for November 4th, no location has been confirmed at this time. However, one thing has been confirmed and thats Castaneda's confidence which is sky high going into what is the biggest fight of his career. Coming off of the two big wins its as iff the 5 loses never happened. Cantu explains "it feels great we're doing this man it's all God's timing everything is coming together at the right time. Everything is flowing at the right time. Its an amazing feeling." 

Kendo Castaneda Scores Tremendous Victory

28-year-old Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda has had a rollercoaster of a career. He started off 17-0, captured the WBA NABA 140-Pound strap, was highly ranked by the sanctioning body, and was considered one of the premier prospects in the division. He then lost five in a row and was stopped in the AT&T Center in his hometown of San Antonio. That last loss seemed to strike a nerve. Castaneda remotivated himself. He secured a sensational first-round knockout in the opening round of the PROBOX Last Chance Tournament. That set up Saturday's showdown at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. Castaneda took on local product Joseph Fernandez in a 10-round affair.

Castaneda got off to a quick start, pressing Fernandez and landing with straight right hands. Setting thighs up off the jab, Castaneda got off to a tremendous start. Fernandez was successful in slowing the pace and evening things up in the middle rounds. The Floridian was able to keep Castaneda at bay and stay off the ropes. A recurring theme had developed. Castaneda would win the first two and a half minutes. Fernandez would rally late to try and steal the round. It was an incredibly close contest heading into the ninth. Castaneda was admittedly exhausted and was told by his trainer Ronnie Cantu "Six minutes for the rest of your life/" Castaneda picked up his second wind and the pair produced the round of the year in the ninth. Castaneda was buckled early in the round. He seemed to be wearing down and that's just when he got going and put together the best rally of the fight that nearly dropped Fernandez and almost ended his fight as the bell sounded to end the round. The late rally from the Texan sealed the deal as Castaneda took a competitive but unanimous decision by scores of 96-94 on all three cards.

Castaneda will battle with rugged veteran Antonio Moran in the finals. Moran outlasted "West Texas" Warrior Michael Dutchover of Midland, to fill out the other side of the bracket. Moran was able to outbox Durchover and rolled to a wide points victory by scores of 100-90x2 and 99-91.

Jairo Castaneda Scores Impressive UD victory, Picks up ABO strap

On what was a star-studded crowd at the Hangar 9 in San Antonio that featured a room full of world champions, including Marco Antonio Barrera, Austin Trout, and John Michael Johnson. The "Takeover" has begun. The first boxing card by Pound For Pound promotions and Luey Villareal was a ringing success. In the main event, "El Increible" Jairo Castaneda of San Antonio, made it a Texas Two-step for the Castaneda brothers. Younger brother Kendo scored a knockout of the year type knockout last week in Florida, and big brother Jairo scored a dominant 6-round unanimous decision victory over Leonardo Esquivel Carrizales of Brownsville to capture ABO welterweight strap. Castaneda struck first with a picture-perfect left hook around the midpoint of the opening round that caught the attention of Carrizales, "El incredible'  followed up with a left hook downstairs just moments later. The older Castaneda brother stayed aggressive and was heavy on the front foot forcing his opponent backward. Then staggering him with straight right hands was taking their effect as he began to look sluggish. By round three, the Rio Grande Valley native appeared sluggish and was wearing down. Castaneda stayed on the gas, firing off am educated jab and putting thudding right hands behind it, not letting up or slowing down for the remainder of the six-rounder on his way to taking a hard-earned but clear-cut decision by scores of 60-65 and 59-55 X2. It marked the fourth consecutive win for Castaneda, who improved his record to 14-2 (5).  He took nearly three years off following a loss to Reshard Hicks in late 2018. 

In the co-main "Jersey Boy" Glen Tapia, originally from New Jersey and now trains in San Antonio, returned to the ring for the first time since August of 2021 and for just the second time since 2017. In what was an incredibly entertaining five and half minutes of action. Tapia emerged victorious, picking up his second consecutive win in his comeback and moved his record to 25-5 (17).  After an action-packed first round, which saw each fighter throw and land plenty of heavy artillery. The Jersey Boy figured out his opponent, Tyrone Sanders, knockout artist. Tapia rocked the Houstonian with a right hand to start the second, and the onslaught that continued as Tapia stayed on his durable opponent and unleashed a whirlwind of power shots that rocked Sanders and ultimately left him defenseless, causing the referee to call a halt to the bout at the 2:27 mark of the second round.

A loaded undercard also featured highly talented flyweight/super-flyweight prospect Jaime Jasso, Of Laredo, who looked spectacular in his first fight with new head trainer Luey Villarreal. Jasso showed off lightning-quick combinations and put his punches together in spectacular fashion. Jasso landed with precision-like power shots to the head and body that finally put the outmatched Austin Rivas away in the second round. The young Gateway City native ended his two-fight skid in spectacular fashion moving his record to 3-2 (1) and winning his first fight with his new trainer at his new weight of 115. Jasso said he can move down further & can easily make 112 also.

14x national champ Melissa "La Joya'' Holguin, Of San Antonio made her highly anticipated professional debut. After having multiple flights canceled due to opponents opting to pull out instead of fighting the 14x national champion. La Joya boxed beautifully, mixing up head and body shots. After someone of a sloppy start, perhaps due to the nerves of making her pro debut. Holguin got cooking in the second round, hurting her opponent, Kim Colbert of Dallas, to the body several times and ripping beautiful hooks and uppercuts on the inside. Holguinn hurt Colbert several times and appeared to have a chance to get the stoppage late in the third round when she froze her with a left hand to the body and followed up with a barrage of shots on the inside. Colbert was to endure till the final round as the San Antonian won every round on every card in the one-sided beatdown taking her pro debut via unanimous decision by scores of 40-36 x3.

If you have not heard of Carrizo Springs, you are about to. Amateur superstar Carrizo Springs native Juan Garcia also made his much anticipated professional debut and scored a sensational third-round knockout of Michael Land of Dallas to move his record to 1-0 (1). Post-fight super bantamweight prospect "Goyo" Gregory Morales said of Garcia, "He's a monster. He is going to be really good. We were on the Mexican national team together." 

In what was the fight of the night. San Antonios own Trenton Gibson and Vincente Loredo provided violent entertainment for the fans, and for the second time in five months Gibson proved too much Loredo, scoring four total knockdowns on his way to picking up a third-round TKO to move his record to 2-1(1). After seizing control of the fight in the first round with a flash knockdown of Loredo. The two traded heavy artillery in the second, and Loredo momentarily took control of the fight. Hurting Gibson with a right hand and then dropping him. Gibson cleared his head, got to his feet, and scored another knockdown of Loredo, this time with a straight right hand to regain the momentum. He scored two more knockdowns in the third as the referee waved off the bout and secured the victory for Gibson.

Castaneda and Dutchover Complete Texas Two Step

Kendo "Tremendo" Castanada, 28, from San Antonio, ended his five-fight slide with a vicious one-punch, left hook, knockout just two minutes into the opening round against Sonny Fredrickson of Toledo, Ohio. Castaneda got to work early with an aggressive Fredrickson, who tried to rush the Texan and ate some big shots early. Castenada was able to land power shots at will and appeared comfortable, and in complete control in the opening moments. When Castaneda saw his opening and he did not wait, unleashing a tremendous left hook that dropped Fredrickson like a building imploding on itself, causing referee Michael DeJesus to waive off the bout at the 2:02 mark of round number one. The bout was featured on the launch of the all-new boxing app Pro Box TV and is part of the Last Chance tournament. Which features eight 140-pound contenders. Castaneda captured the WBA/NABA Super lightweight belt back in December of 2018 and ran his record to 17-0 by the end of 2019, when he stopped Stan Martyniouk, in Reno. He had suffered five straight setbacks before the tremendous knockout Friday night in Plant City, Florida, and improved his record to 18-5 (9). The Alamo City native will fight Florida-based Joseph Fernandez in the semi-finals.

In the bout prior "The West Texas Warrior" Michael Dutchover, of Midland, got himself back on track, scoring an impressive points victory over Clarence Booth of Florida. The 24-year-old west Texan out-jabbed and outmaneuvered his opponent. He skillfully out-jabbed the Floridian from long range. When the fight moved into close quarters, Dutchover was able to land with solid left hooks and right hands on the inside. After several fairly close rounds. Dutchover was appearing to break down his opponent, and late in the sixth, the west Texan scored with an overhand right and moments later scored again with a short left hook that buzzed Booth. Sharpshooting in the seventh, Dutchover again stunned his opponent with just about 15 seconds remaining in the round via a right hand. Dutchover seemed confident he was well ahead on the scorecards and appeared to run out the clock in the eighth and final rounds. The judges scored the fight shockingly close. James O'Connor handed in a real head-scratcher of 77-75 in favor of Booth overruled by Joanne Richard scored (78-74) and Tito Wilgo had (77-75) both in favor of Dutchover, who moved his record to 16-2 (10) now advances to the semi-finals to face rugged veteran Antonio Moran. Dutchover lost his previous fight via sixth-round stoppage to Nahir Albright last September.

The Tremendous One returns plus Gibson in action in Florida

The ever-entertaining Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda has hit a bit of a snag after a sensational start to his career, that included 17 straight victories eight by knockout, capturing the WBA-NABA 140-pound belt, was highly ranked by the WBA, and appeared to be on his way to a world title shot. That's when things hit a bit of a snag. Tremendo traveled to Florida and took on fellow unbeaten 140-pound prospect, Yomar Alamo. Castaneda seemed to dominate the fight, applied constant pressure hurt his opponent several times, and landed much cleaner and more effective shots on the elusive Alamo. When the scorecards were read two of the scores were wide 98-92 and 97-93, it seemed about right, had they scored the fight for Castaneda. Except they didn't, two of the judges did the unthinkable and scored seven and eight rounds for Alamo, who seemed to be beaten fairly convincingly. Castaneda went on to bigger and better things despite his first career loss. He fought Jose Zepeda who is among the best 140-pounders in the world and lost a very competitive and close decision, then lost to upstart prospect Josue Vargas in Las Vegas. Moved up to 147, got robbed again, this time in Mexico dropping a decision to Mauricio Pintor. After that Tremendo returned home fought in San Antonio on a big Golden Boy Card against Raul Curiel in another competitive scrap that Castaneda rallied in the sixth and seventh before being stopped in the seventh. 

Castaneda now returns to Florida was his skid all started to battle another touted welterweight prospect who looks to bounce back from a loss. The San Antonian travels to the Whitesands Event Center, in Plant City, Florida, to battle the hard-hitting Mark Reyes Jr who hails from nearby Tampa. Reyes Jr 14-1(12) last fought a year ago and dropped a very disputed decision to Janelson Figueroa Bocachica, on a card that aired on Showtime's SHOBOX series. Reyes takes a big challenge against the best fighter he has faced in his pro career looking for big gains. Whoever wins the bout will be propelled into contender status once again and the loser takes a giant step back. 

The card also features fellow San Antonian Trenton Gibson, 1-0 (0) in a lightweight bout. Gibson will look to play spoiler against Julio Solis, a highly-touted prospect from Puerto Rico. Gibson made his pro debut back in December on a TMB card in his hometown and looked impressive in scoring a cleat cut unanimous decision victory over Vincente Loredo also of San Antonio.

Zurdo Shines in San Antonio

The main event between Yunieski Gonzalez of Cuba and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez of Mexico at the AT&T Center delivered a fight-of-the-year candidate. It featured an action-packed first round where Gonzalez rocked Ramirez with a right hand just seconds into the fight. However, the southpaw Ramierz came charging back scoring with left hands and right hooks in the final seconds of the round to even things up. Gonzalez stepped back on the gas and fired off combinations forcing the undefeated Mexican backward, behand a snappy jab Ramirez was able to get inside of the charging Gonzalez and land uppercuts and solid body shots. If the action was good through the first six minutes, which it was, it really got going in round three where each man traded power shots against the ropes with Zurdo getting the better work landing a massive left that shook the Cuban just before the bell. Gonzalez came out aggressive in the fourth landing solid straight right hands but a left hook from Ramirez landed on the button and rocked Gonzalez. The two exchanged for the remainder of the round with the Mexican getting the better work in and having Gonzalez on the brink at the end of the fourth round with the referee looking in closely. Gonzalez was not deterred as he rallied back and had Zurdo in trouble midway through the fifth, unleashing heavy artillery while his opponent laid with his back to the ropes. The frenzied pace kept up for the remainder of the fight, which came in the 10th. as a right hook about took Gonzalez's head off and left him out on his feet and defenseless as Zurdo began teeing off on the Cuban who was helpless against the ropes and brought referee Rafael Ramos in to waive the bout off midway through the 10th giving Ramirez his 43rd win in 43 fight and 29th KO. 

In the co-main event, Seniesa Estrada defended her WBA 105-pound strap against unbeaten Maria Santizo of Guatemala City, Guatemala City. After finding the distance Estrada exploded in the third Estrada tied a perfect left hook that went over a shot from Dantizo and put her down and nearly out. She courageously got to her feet and was nearly dropped again after a straight right buckled her sending her telling into the ropes. After landing a vicious left hook early in the fourth that rocked the Guatemalan she finished the job moments later with yet another picture-perfect left hook that sent her opponent crushing to the canvas1:51 of round number four. Moving her record to 22-0 (9)

The undercard featured two Texans of note Marlen Esparza of Houston not only defended her WBC Flyweight title and put on a show controlling the action and making Ortiz miss wildly, a barrage of head movement at the end of the first round that was Pernell Whitaker-esque. She then scored a knockdown in the second. Remaining in control she continued to use swift lateral movement to get in and out on Ortiz she scored a second knockdown in the fourth and remained in control throughout begins a snappy jab and excellent footwork kept her out of the way of Ortiz's return fire. The Houston native cruised to a wide decision victory by scores of 100-88, 99-90, and an extremely interesting and much to close  95-94-94. 

The other Texan on the card didn't fare as well. Kendo "Tremendo" Castaneda, the lone San Antonian on the card was just "a step or two behind" as famed trainer "Jesse" James Leija said. He fought competitively against undefeated prospect Raul Curiel and after an early knockdown rallied in the fifth and sixth rounds. However, it wasn't enough and in the seventh Curiel landed a crushing body shot that dropped Castaneda for the 10-count and some. Handing Curiel has 11th win in 11 fights.

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.