Renowned trainer James Payton is no stranger to world-class fighters, not just in the Rio Grande Valley when he worked with world-ranked heavyweight title challenger Eric Molina, as well as long-time contenders Robert Garcia and Raphral Murphy. Prior to that, he worked with some of the most elite names in the sport in Las Vegas. Payton had been involved with former world champions like Shamba Mitchell, "The Pocket Rocket" Wayne McCullough, and the Dirrell Brothers. He knows a world-class fighter when he sees one and he recognizes that he has two new ones on his hands. Each of those fighters was in action sporting vastly different styles in Corpus Christi this past Saturday. Both fighters, Mark Beuke and Sammy Castaneda didn't just take unanimous decision victories, they each won every round on every scorecard. Both men pitched shut-outs. He has done an amazing job turning around each fighter. Beuke, who resides in Corpus Christi, makes the 1.5 to 2-hour drive several times a week to train with Payton at the Legacy Boxing Club in Harlingen. The results have been eye-opening. Beuke started his career with a record of 3-3 and has now been with Payton for the past two years. He has won seven fights in a row improving his record to 10-3 and capturing an ABO title. Payton described Beuke's shut-out performance against veteran Adam Ealmos on Saturday night as a "Picasso masterpiece" "He didn't exhort a lot of energy" adding "he was calm and in control" Beuke did seem like he was barely breaking a sweat "he wasn't bouncing around exhorting a lot of energy he could have done that for 12 rounds" Payton said. It was a picture-perfect nearly flawless performance from Beuke in the evening's main event.
In the co-main event, Rio Grande Valley native "El Gallo Fino" Sammy Castaneda was equally impressive but in a completely different style. So many trainers train fighters to one particular style. Payton has done the opposite. Maximizing what his fighters do best. With Beuke it was using the entire 24-foot ring, moving and avoiding Ealoms, setting traps and staying composed, not letting the hard-hitting Ealoms set his feet " If he can't set his feet, he can't land any heavy shots. He can't generate power. It's impossible." Payton explained. With Castaneda, it was the opposite approach. Castaneda cut the ring off and overwhelmed his fleet-footed and highly athletic opponent Bryan Springs. Castaneda unleashed a relentless attack "I was counting he was throwing about 77 punches a round." Payton noted. A tremendous work rate for a 140-pounder. Castaneda broke the athletic springs down and wouldn't allow him to run and move and use the gigantic ring. He took away the very game plan away from Springs that Payton and Beuke executed to perfection in the main event. Springs "wanted to quit after the fourth round but his corner (Chato Martinez) made him continue ''Castaneda gets better every fight," Payton says "He listens and he has a great work ethic" the RGV-based trainer added. "He runs 5 to 6 miles a day. He is at the gym twice a day six days a week"
It's the journey that Payton and Castaneda have traveled together over the past two years, which is the most impressive feat. Castaneda made his pro debut in 2019 in Brownsville and scored a third-round knockout. A knockout that was later overturned, by the Texas commission and changed to a No Contest. The Rio Grande Valley native then disappeared for nearly two years before he resurfaced and told Coach Payton that he was ready to fight again. Except at this time, Castaneda hadn't just not been in the rin. He was 230 pounds and working at Wal-Mart, nowhere near anything that would resemble a fighting shape. Payton agreed to train the young fighter but under his terms. " I told him if you don't work hard. If you miss one day of training without a valid excuse, you're done! You're out of the gym... It's my way or the highway." Payton explained. A hungry and determined Castaneda, who is now married with a young daughter, obliged. It's been two years, and Castaneda has not relented at all. Payton described Castaneda, at that point, as a flat-footed pressure fighter. Payton has been able to take the raw talent that he had and what Payton describes as "that dog in him" and transformed Castaneda into a complete boxer puncher. Who can box from the outside and has that tremendous work rate and really solid pop. and can break you down and overwhelm you on the inside.
When Payton, who has taken numerous fighters to the world level was asked how far away is 24-year-old Castaneda away from fighting at the highest level a realistic Payton said "hes 3 to 4 fights away" According to Castaneda's handler, the legendary Kerry Daigle said he plans on fighting Castaneda four to five times this year. Meaning in less than three years, he would have gone from 230 pounds and working at Walmart to being a world-class 140-pound title contender. An amazing transformation credited to Castenda's incredible work ethic and Payton's incredible boxing mind and tutelage.