Travis Crawford Shines in Co-Main Event in Corpus Christi

Boxing returned to Sparkle City, Corpus Christi. for the second time in four months. Ernest Reyna, CEO of Reyna Promotions, is bringing boxing back to Corpus Christi in a major way. Hometown hero, 20-year-old Travis Crawford stole the show in the evening's co-main event with his dominant second-round knockout of Michael Haynes to pick up his fourth straight win, his second win in two weeks, moving his record to 4-0 (2) after starting his career with two consecutive losses. At that point many would have given up, not Crawford, who has come roaring back and is now the talk of Corpus Christi. The 20-year-old scored with a couple of straight right hands that caught the attention of Haynes. Crawford was able to score at will on Haynes, who was diving in with power shots. Setting the pace in the opening round, Crawford slammed on the gas in round number two. Scoring with a left hook early in the round that hurt Haynes. Moments later, he scored with a right hand to the body that sent his opponent into the ropes. With his opponent backed into the ropes, the hometown hero unleashed a whirlwind of power shots that had Haynes in a world of trouble. Late in the round, a left hook from Crawford doubled over his outmatched opponent and put him on the floor. Haynes, an extremely tough, and durable opponent, somehow made it to his feet. However, the writing was on the wall, and like a professional, Crawford stayed downstairs and focused on the body. He scored with a right hand and a left hook to the body that dropped his opponent for a second and final time giving Crawford the second-round KO with about 30 seconds left in the second round.

In the night's main event, Mercedes native "El Gallo Fino" Sammy Castaneda gave another A+ performance in outpointing Julio Chaves Infante of Tamaulipas, Mexico, and moved his record to 11-0-1 (7). Castaneda dominated the six-round affair in relentless vintage "El Gallo Fino" fashion. Non-stop pressure from the Rio Grande Valley natives overwhelmed Infane. Castaneda's relentlessness not only broke Infante down but took away his heart and turned the KO artist into a defensive-minded fighter. Castaneda closed the show like a pro, mixing up head and body shots, like the energizer bunny. He kept firing on an overwhelmed Infante. The final scores were academic as they all came in wide in favor of the Rio Grande Valley native 59-55x2 and 60-54. Castaneda, who is emerging as one of the top 140-pound prospects in the world, showed improved footwork and defensive skills in making Infante miss. He scored with crisp clean counter shots throughout the six rounds. The 24-year-old Rio Grande Valley Native has a premier team behind him that includes Head Coach James Payton, Agent Kerry Daigle, and cutman Aaron Navarro who works with world champion Regis Prograis and O'shaquie Foster. The team has Castaneda on a path to be fighting at the highest level by next year.

The undercard portion of the card was sensational. The opening bout was an absolute barnburner. Carlos Torres of Corpus Christi and Luis Fernendez of Austin Treated fans to an all-action slugfest. The pair traded second-row knockdowns. Fernandez evened the score late in the round and had Torres in serious trouble. However, Torres survived the scare and closed the show well. In the fourth and final rounds appeared to be in better condition as he was the one that got the better of the haymakers that were changed throughout the fourth round. The Corpus Christi native was rightfully awarded the close split decision victory by scores of 40-36, 38-36, and 39-37 in favor of Fernandez to move his record to 2-3 (1).

In the second bout, Corpus Christi native Patrick Haro got off the canvas to rally and make his pro debut a successful one. Haro scored with a right hook in the 4th round that dropped Tyler Pacheco, of San Angelo. Pacheco got back on his horse and chased after Haro, and scored with a straight right of his own to close out a highly competitive and very close four-round affair. Two of the three judges favored Haro, with the third judge scoring it a draw.

Supper Middleweight Veteran Justin Williams scored with a picture-perfect uppercut that dropped his opponent, Eduardo Alvarez, just seconds into the first round. The laser-like shot left Alvarez with blurred vision and unable to continue. Williams officially picked up the KO victory via 55 seconds of the first round.

Also on the card was hometown favorite Christian Perez, who picked up a unanimous decision victory. Perez rallied late and scored with a ferocious combination that laid to a 30-second barrage of power shots that left his opponent Steveen Angeles Cruz in a world of trouble. Perez nearly got the stoppage in the fourth but had to settle for the points victory as his rugged opponent survived till the final round

Sammy Castaneda: "This kid don't break"

Mercedes Texas, native Sammy "El Gallo Fino" Castaneda will headline Saturday night's Reyna Promotions card in Corpus Christi. He will put his undefeated record of 10-0-1 (7) on the line against Mexican junior welterweight Julio Chavez in a six-round affair. The 24-year-old prospect has come a long way in a relatively short time. From cheating death and "disappearing from the face of the earth" as his coach James Payton puts it, to being on the verge of something massive.

The Texas boxing community was first introduced to Castaneda in the Texas Golden Gloves when he battled Vergil Ortiz. Ortiz was in the midst of destroying everyone and was having his way with the Rio Grande Valley native. Ortiz dropped him, and it looked like Castaneda was going to be just another man down. However, "El Gallo Fino" got off the canvas and took the fight to Ortiz. He came up just short but gained the respect of everyone and showed the world "he has that dog in him." as Coach Payton says of his fighter. As an amateur the trainer and fighter first met when Payton was training with former world title heavyweight challanger Eric Molina. Castaneda introduced himself and told the coach he was a fighter. Payton said, "he was a polite kid."

The pair met up two years later when Castaneda made his pro debut in Brownsville. Payton encountered Castaneda, who was by himself getting ready for his pro debut and gave him some last-minute encouragement. Castaneda went out there and scored a third-round knockout. The win was overturned by the Texas Commission, and according to Coach Payton Castaneda "fell off the face of the Earth."

That's when the real fight for Castaneda began. He was battling personal demons that nearly ended the fighter for good. "I was out of boxing for 2.5 years, making bad choices, getting arrested, doing drugs, partying a lot, doing stupid things. It's similar to the Tyson Fury thing; he's actually the reason I got back into boxing." Castaneda recalled. Things got out of control for the fighter who cheated death twice. Once he was dead and brought back. Castaneda explains, "I took some stuff the night before. I was going to church with my family, and I ended up collapsing. I hit a brick, my head hit the brick, and I was completely out. An ambulance came, and I woke up in the hospital. I was out for 40 minutes. If I would have hit my head one centimeter in the other direction, I would have been paralyzed from the waist down." He was given a second chance at life, and as Castaneda says, "No one trains harder than someone who should be six feet under" This second chance has served as his motivation.

Castaneda weighed 225 pounds at this time and was going to use his second chance to pursue his passion and get back in the ring. He told his friend and undefeated lightweight prospect Cristian Roman that he was "coming back" Roman passed the message to Coach Payton, and the coach agreed but gave the 225-pound Castaneda an ultimatum. Payton explained, "I knew his past. I told him I had rules here if he missed a day without a valid excuse, don't come back! If you do drugs, don't come back! If you drink, dont come back! If you don't put in the work, dont come back!" The fighter agreed with his trainer's terms and was immediately put to the test. Payton said he was going to "push him to his limits.'' Castaneda was pushed to his outermost limits and began projectile vomiting while hitting the heavy bag for 30 minutes straight. When coach told him he could quit. Castaneda rejected the invitation and started screaming, "I am not gonna quit!! I'm never gonna quit! I'll die for this!" "El Gallo Fino" was going to make the most of his second chance at life. Payton recalls his pupil finished the workout, and the coach thought to himself, "This kid don't break." It was at that point he knew his fighter "had that dog in him." What shocked the coach is the next day, Castaneda beat him to the gym and was waiting for him. Payton jokes, "There must be something wrong with this kid" Castaneda completed an even more daunting workout on day two, and coach knew he was for real and had something special. Payton describes Castaneda as "first in and last out of the gym." The Mercedes native success can be credited to his pressure, volume punching, solid power, surprising hand speed, and athleticism, but it is his hard work that separates him from the pack. The RGV fighter explained his work ethic " If I'm going to die, I'm going to die here [in the gym]. People think I'm crazy. I'll hit the bag 50-60 minutes straight with the weighted vest on....I have the mamba mentality like Kobe" he added.

Castaneda walked into the gym that day at 225 pounds. 50 days later, he weighed 145 and was back in the ring on December 4th, 2020. "El Gallo Fino'' scored a first-round KO in Matamoros, Mexico. He fought four times in 2021, all in Mexico, going 4-0 (3) and running his record to 5-0 (4). Castaneda faced his toughest challenge in Julio Sanchez in December of 2022. The RGV native lost the first round and got dropped in the second on what appeared to be a slip but was ruled a knockdown. Castaneda found himself three points down after two rounds. Three points down with four rounds to go. Castaneda needed to win every single round to get a decision. With his undefeated record very much on the line, there was no panic. "I'm super calm. I told Sammy we were down. We just need to win every round in fashion." Payton explained, "I told Sammy, Close the distance and change lanes." The hard work and determination paid off, and Castaneda dominated the final four rounds to take a unanimous decision. He followed up that points victory with a masterclass performance against Bryan Springs in February, also on a Reyna Promotions card. The kid that was 225 pounds and cheated death twice just two years earlier is now 10-0-1 (7). While there is still work to do, the kid from Mercedes, who isn't supposed to be here, is on the verge of something special. Coach Payton opened up about his fighter's future "I was just talking with his agent Kerry [Daigle]. I truly believe sometime next year, in April or May he will be fighting for something big. We got three more fights lined up for this year. Middle of next year, he'll be fighting for something big." The next stop for Castaneda is The Robstown Fairgrounds in the Corpus Christi area on June 10th against Chavez, a much different opponent than Castaneda has fought in the past. A rugged pressure fighter from Mexico that will look to bring the fight to the Texan. It's another sizeable test for Castaneda. However, as coach Payton says "Hard work beats talent 10 out of 10." Fortunately for Payton and the rest of team Castaneda, their man is not only loaded with talent but a ruggedness and work ethic that is unmatched.

RGV Trainer James Payton Has Rejuvenated Two Top Prospects

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.

Six Shooters: Six Young Texas Fighers who Could Emerge in 2023

1. Fabian Diaz Edinburg 3-0 (1) There's nothing not to like about Diaz, the best young fighter in the RGV is absolutely electric. He strikes so much similarity to a young Teofimo Lopez, a Teofimo Lopez who "still had it"! Everything Diaz throws is hard and violent. He's a seek-and-destroy fighter with superb skills and is always on the hunt. It's not a matter of if it's a matter of when for Diaz. The "Unknown Warrior" made his pro debut in July in San Antonio on a PBC and ran his record to 3-0 (1). He scored his latest win, a first-round KO earlier this month on a Marines Promotions Card. Look for the youngster to be back in the ring on another PBC Card early in 2023

2. Juan Garcia Carrizo Springs 1-0 (1) If you have never heard of Carrizo Springs you're about to the south Texas town in Dimmit County is about 80 miles northwest of Laredo and has a population of about 5,000. Garcia is about to put the small south Texas town on the boxing map. A pure boxer-puncher with excellent fundamentals and one-punch power got off to an explosive start to his career. He made his pro debut on a P4P card in San Antonio and scored a first-round knockout. Unfortunately, The least experienced fighter on the list should be 3-0 but had two victories removed by the Texas Commission, so the only knock on the kid is that he might want to be a little more careful of who he hangs around.

3." Panterita" Jesus Martinez Del Rio 3-0 (1) The Future Of Boxing! The Phenom. The youngest fighter on the list. The 13x US National Champ and International Champ is as complete a fighter as a 17-year-old can be, and under the tutelage of Robert Garcia, the sky is truly the limit. An extraordinary athlete with terrific speed, one-punch power, a high ring IQ, plus all the accolades to back it up. Panterita caught the eye of former world champs Joe Calzaghe and Darren Baker and was the first fighter signed by their Management company ISG. Panterita has already fought on Matchroom Cards and has been streamed on DAZN.

4. Daniel Cortez San Antonio 3-0 (1) the 20-year-old is already being touted as San Antonio's next great one. Cortez trains alongside fellow Alamo City natives and world champions Bam Rodriguez and Josh Franco, he served as one of Franco's chief sparring partners in his lead-up to the unification bout with Ioka. Cortez is a raw talent with unlimited upside, who after a brief but successful amateur career turned pro. He caught the eye of trainer Robert Garcia and has gotten off to an exceptional start in his professional career. He has a style that is made for pro success more than the amateurs and can band on the inside and his elite-level power but has the ability to use his height and reach and box from the outside. A gifted offensive fighter who can box at all three distances.

5. Javy Fernández San Antonio 12-0 (6) Guaranteed action! Fernandez is a pressure fighter, a raw power puncher, who had a way too wide-base. Fernendez was discovered by trainer Rick Nunez of the South Park Boxing Academy and Nunez has his man on the verge of being a breakout star. Fernandez is no longer just a relentless come-forward swarmer. He has learned how to cut the ring off, force his opponents to exchange, and can wear them down. He also snappy jab he uses to get on the inside and much-improved footwork. When on the inside Fernandez is deadly and relentless.

6. Sammy Castaneda Mercedes 9-0-1 (7)- Of all the Fighters on the list we know that Castaneda has the heart. He has that dog in him! The 9-0-1 prospect took a major step up and took on the biggest fight of his career as big-time boxing returned to the RGV as he battled Julio Sanchez in a lackluster fight that he still appeared to win but had to settle for a draw in. Castaneda didn't want to move on and forget it happened and his status as an A-side prospect to avoid a rematch. He was obsessed with the rematch, got his rematch, and delivered. He got up off the canvas and erased a three-point deficit on the scorecard after a second-round knockdown, shook it off, and dominated Sanchez for the remainder of the fight to pick up the MD victory.

Sammy Castaneda Sets Record Straight in Co-Main! Plus Incredible Undercard in RGV

RGV native and fan favorite "El Gallo Fino" Sammy Castaneda exacted revenge on the rugged Houston-based veteran Julio Sanchez to move his record to 9-0-1 (7). Castaneda suffered the first and only blemish on his record. However, he righted that wrong at the Payne Arena in Hidalgo on Friday night. He stayed calm and patient, jabbing and maintaining the pace of the fight. The two traded hooks early with Castaneda's landing cleaner. The RGV native had a few moments early with the left hook early in the first round. He later scored with a nice counter right to close a competitive opening round. Castaneda relied much more on movement than he did in the first fight. While Sanchez looked to load up one shot. Sanchez was able to score with right hands over Castanedas low lead hand. A counter left hook put an off-balanced Castaneda on the floor in the second. However, the undefeated RGV native got up, dusted himself off, stayed calm, and took control of the fight starting in round three. Castaneda, on the advice of his corner, picked up the aggression and appeared to carry the third with precise left hooks and precise power shots on the inside. Sanchez scored with some clean counters and had answers. However, Castaneda was breaking his man down and seemed to chip away at that lead Sanchez built after the two-point round in the second. Castaneda landed clean left hooks one after another and mixed in some uppercuts in round four. By the fifth, it was a dog fight with Sammy leading the exchanges and Sanchez scoring with counters and catching Castaneda when he left himself open. However, it was Sanchez that was really starting to slow down as Castaneda slammed on the gas and let it go in the final round. The two traded on the inside throughout the final stanza. Castaneda landed a beautiful it on the right hand and followed up with a body shot to put an exclamation point on the fight and capture a hard-earned but clear points victory. Taking a majority decision by scores of 57-56 X2, with the third judge scoring 57-57 even.

In the opening bout of the evening Alex "El Bazooka" Ramos of Laredo moved his record to 5-1 (3) and put on a highly impressive display of power, dropping his rugged opponent Irving Tapia twice. Ramos battered his veteran opponent for the full 2:21 of the fight before a vicious left hook from "El Bazooka" but Tapia down for one final time. Ramos had older brother Jorge in the corner, and the pair seemed to work well together. 

The undercard also featured former WBA super bantamweight title holder Oscar Escandon of Ibague, Colombia, who showed even at 38 years old, he still has the craft and skills to compete at the highest level. The former champ jabbed his way in and then unleashed powerful right hands from a variety of angels. He outworked and out-landed his opponent,  Angel Tamez Colombian, beating his man up throughout a six-round affair. The Colombian scored with a thudding body shot late in the second that hurt his opponent badly. He stayed downstairs and dropped his man. Just moments later Escondon struck again with a left hook and right upper combo.  The battering continued throughout the fourth and fifth and the only question left was could it go the distance able to go the distance. A determined Tamez survived to the final bell. However, the scorecards were academic as Escandon took a wide decision by scores 60-53  and 59-54x2.

McAllen Native, knockout artist, and fan favorite Javi Vargas suffered his first career loss and dropped to 2-1 (2) when he dropped a competitive decision to Damian Guajardo of Zapata. Guajardo was not intimated by the power and reputation of the McAllen native and pressured Vargas and took the fight to him in what was an all-action fan-favorite slugfest. The judges preferred the constant pressure and punch output of Guajardo over Vargas's more precise punching and counter shots as the judges scored in favor of the Zapata native 40-36x2.

In a rematch of September's all-out slugfest between Laredo native Nick Molina and Edinburg native Eduardo Guerra. The first bout ended in a controversial draw in which most spectators thought Molina rolled to a clear victory. In the rematch, Molina was jabbing and moving a bit more and was scoring with a stiff jab that kept Guerra at bay. However, as the fight progressed the Edinburg native was able to get on the inside and apply pressure that wore Molina down and land chopping right hands on the inside. It was another highly competitive fight the judges ruled in favor of  Guerra's pressure as opposed to Molina's skills and jab. Two of the three judges scored for Guerra 39-37 with one scoring by the same tally in favor of Molina.

In a highly competitive and entertaining lightweight affair, Joshua Montoya of Lubbock outlasted "Hot Hands" Nelson Hampton to move his record to 4-3-2 as Hampton dropped to 9-6. After a career-best performance and capturing the Texas title Montoya celebrated with a backflip that he stuck perfectly. Montoya who is a natural 126-pounder took a big challenge in Hampton and did so at a sizeable weight disadvantage. The newly minted 135-pound Texas champ will likely not be spending much more time at the lightweight limit and will likely go back down to 126.

Sammy Castaneda's Road to Redemption "I've seen the bottom of the pit of hell and came back out of it."

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.

Sammy Castaneda Settles for Tough Luck Draw, Other South Texans Shine at Payne Arena

Sammy "El Gallo Fino"  Castaneda of Mercedes returned to the Rio Grande Valley for the first time since his pro debut, which was changed from a TKO victory in 2019 to a NC by the Texas commission.  His other eight pro bouts took place in the Houston area and Matamoros, Mexico. Castaneda entered the ring to the lyrics of "I am coming Home" and received roaring applause from his RGV faithful. Setting the stage for Castaneda to deliver a brilliant performance against Houston native Julio Sanchez. After a careful and fairly even start to the opening round, Castaneda landed the first punch of consequence. A sweeping right hand at the end of the first caught the attention of Sanchez. The second round saw Sanchez trying to get on the inside and Castaneda trying to keep him at bay. A heated exchange in the final seconds of the second stanza saw each man land heavy artillery which set the tone for the remainder of the scrap. The RGV native got cooking in the third. Rocking the Houstonian early in the round and seemed to seize control of the fight for the remainder of the third and fourth rounds. Chants of Sammy, Sammy, spread throughout the Payne Arena. However, Sanchez perhaps seeing the fight slipping away on points, forced his way onto the inside and the two exchanged fireworks in the fifth. Sanchez was valiantly trying to fight his way back into the fight. The final stanza featured back and forth toe to toe action that ended with a big right hand by Castaneda that rang Sanchez's bell as the bell rang to end the sixth and final round. That shot seemed to signify the fight. A good competitive fight that Castaneda got the better of. That was the sentiment at ringside that Castaneda had escaped a tougher than expected contest. However, the judges overruled the ringside consensus, scoring the bout a majority decision draw by scores of 57-57 X2 and 58-56 in favor of the Mercedes native. 

In another absolutely shocking decision, Laredo-based KO artist Nick Molina seemed to dominate Eduardo Guerra of Edinburg in what was likely the fight of the night due to Guerra's cast iron jaw. However, outside of a strong hometown applause from the crowd, Guerra struggled to get much going offensively after the first round. By the fourth and final round, he was a sitting duck for Molina's heavy artillery. Working behind a stiff jab and pinpoint power shots, the Gateway City native couldn't miss and kept rocking Guerra in what appeared to be a one-sided affair. However, the judges did the unthinkable and scored the bout a draw. With one judge scoring for Molina 40-36 and the other two scoring it 38-38. 

Fellow Laredo native "Triple J" faired much better with the judges, showing off incredible hand speed and combination punching. Jasso controlled the distance and beat down a very rugged Juan Alberto Flores. A 21-year-old Jasso looked experienced beyond his years and has seemed to get into his own under new trainer Luey Villareal as he ran off his second consecutive win and moved his record to 4-2 (1).

In the KO of the night, McAllen native Javier Vargas scored a brutal first-round knockout of Houston-based Dominique Wiltz. A picture-perfect left hook from the McAllen native put Wiltz out before he hit the canvas. Wiltz somehow managed to get to his feet just as the referee counted to 10. However, he was in no position to continue fighting and the bout was waived off at 1:11 of the opening round. Making Vargas's pro debut a successful one. Having had just 18 amateur bouts plus coming off of a four-year layoff from boxing, Vargas certainly seems like a fighter who could make some noise if he remains active.

In what was the performance of the night 18-year-old Edinburg native "The Unknown Warrior" Fabian Diaz wowed the crowd. Looking like a young Teofimo Lopez, the explosive power of the RGV native was on display immediately as his outmatched opponent, Jesus Maldonado. Sending him backward and staggering into the ropes just seconds into the fight.  Diaz then unleashed a three-punch-combination that again staggered Maldonado. He spent the next three rounds showing off just how deep his bag is. Landing lead hooks and lead uppercuts. Each shot was precise and on point and snapping back the head of his brave but outclassed opponent. Diaz finished on a strong note. Scoring with a lightning-quick three-punch combination. As he methodically took his man apart over the four-round distance and scored a UD victory by scores 40-36x3. Winning every round on every judge's card.

In other knockouts of note, Hector Aguirre, of Edinburg scored a vicious knockout via a thudding left hook to move his record to 3-0 (1). Plus Alexis "Bamm Bamm" Balderas, of San Juan, ended Keith  Foreman's night with a perfectly placed body shot in the second round to move his record to 2-0-1 (2).