Undefeated 140-pound prospect and Rio Grande Valley Native "El Gallo Fino" Sammy Castaneda looks to set the record straight on Friday, December 9th at the Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. Right in the heart of the RGV. The exact location and against the same opponent that marked the first and only blemish on his record. Back in September Castaneda headlined the Payne Arena. It was his first fight in the RGV since 2019 and the first big card in the region post-pandemic. A card put on by Pound 4 Pound Promotions that was well-attended by a litany of world champions such as Jorge Arce and Orlando Canizales. It was a great stage set for Castaneda, who has world title aspirations. Except things didn't go as planned. Castaneda had to settle for a disputed draw with Julio Sanchez. a skilled and tough journeyman who sported a 5-6-1 record and was probably better than his record suggests. Ringside most spectators thought Castaneda had eeked out a close decision in a tougher-than-expected fight. However, the judge handed in a majority decision draw. Something El Gallo Fino makes no excuses for saying, "I watched it 3 or 4 times. It was just a terrible performance from me. There are no excuses. It was a bad day. We know what it was, and it's something that can easily be changed, and this fight peope are going to see that."
Castaneda is in camp with Jose Charles, who will be battling former world champ Austin Trout, in the evening's main event. The two are pushing and motivating each day in camp " I've learned a lot this training camp we've made the adjustments were doing what we're supposed to. It can't go any smoother than this."
A highly motivated Castaneda knows what is at stake. Unlike many other fighters in his stage of development, did not shy away from a rematch. He didn't look for an easier stylistic fight, or being the touted prospect, just move on to something else that fits him better. He was adamant in wanting to set the record straight with Sanchez. "I was trying to do anything I could do to get this rematch to happen! I needed it! That [ the draw] was never supposed to happen, so I needed it! I made it clear I needed that fight. I don't even need that check. I need that fight! That's really my mindset. Right away, I wanted to fight him. There were obstacles that almost made it fall through, but I just made it real clear that I needed it. I would do anything on my side to make it happen and we made it happen." The young Rio Grande Valley native explained.
A win against Sanchez, in the co-main event which will be televised internationally on the ESPN platform, will put the youngster back on course and will give him a huge platform to show off his skills and talents something he has kept a positive mindset about and describes what happened back in September as a blessing in disguise "Yea God has a plan for all of us. God has a plan for me, and I guess that's a part of his plan, for that to happen. Now I get to prove myself on TV. So yea, I feel like it is a blessing in disguise."
The unbeaten jr welterweight is a fighter and has been through worse than a draw and has fought his way back as he describes " I'm a fighter, man I've gone through the worst in life. I've seen the bottom of the pit of hell and came back out of it. That's what made me, and I know what I have because of that. I know what I got! Nothing's going to stop me!"
It's that motivation that will take Castaneda to the top and in the one of one of the most talent-loaded divisions in the sport. A division that features unified champ Josh Taylor, as well as 2x world Champ Regis Prograis. As well as a ton of young studs like former undisputed lightweight champ Teofimo Lopez, fellow RGV native Omar Juarez. The division will also, likely soon feature Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney as well. Meaning when Castaneda gets to the top, not only will there be world title opportunities, but huge mega fights and massive pay days. Something Castaneda always saw coming "my dream is a world title at 140...the big names are motivation. We all ran the same national tournaments! We're all going to be in the same area in the big leagues. Now it's becoming a reality. There's so much talent we can't ignore it. That's what I'm training for, and I'm ready for it."
Castaneda is ready and extremely confident in his skills, talents, and abilities. He wasn't deterred by the verdict last September "it happens to a lot of fighters. It's a blessing. I know what I got! I know my heart, I know my skills, and I know my talent, the most important thing is that I know my heart."
The path to redemption begins on December 9th for Castaneda, right back where it all started. In the heart of The Rio Grande Valley, which is now one of the budding hotbeds of boxing, and it will be aired for the world to see on ESPN.