Canada’s Custio Clayton suffers 2nd-round KO loss to Jaron Ennis

JermellCharlo became the undisputed superwelterweight champion during the four-belt period when he defeated Brian Castano of Argentina in round 10 in Carson, Calif.

After a thrilling bout that featured plenty of toe-to-toe action and great fighting, Charlo (35-1-1 & 19 KOs) knocked out Castano twice in quick succession in the 10th. Charlo leapt onto a rope to celebrate Castano winning his WBO 154-pound title.

After unbeaten Philadelphia welterweight Jaron Ennis stopped Custio Clayton, of North Preston, N.S., with a vicious right hand in the second round of the show’s penultimate bout, the main event was slightly delayed because Castano showed up late to the arena, according to the fight’s promoters.

Ennis (29)-0, 27KOs) established his status as an elite middleweight fighter with a brutal victory over a pair of unbeaten opponents. Clayton (19-1-1), fell in a heap following Ennis’s chopping right hand. Ennis stood on wobbly legs until the bout was over.

Ennis: “I keep telling you’all every time: We’re out and about like a robbery.” said. “We don’t get paid for overtime.”

Ennis, 24, made an impressive California debut and is now waiting for the opportunity to face elite welterweights such as Errol Spence Jr. who was there for this bout.

Castano (17-1-1), gave Charlo several strong rounds during the rematch in Texas of the split draw that took place 10 months ago. Charlo is the seventh fighter to hold all major titles in every weight class simultaneously since 1988, when the four-belt era began.

Charlo, a Houston native and twin brother to Jermall Charlo the middleweight champ, executed a counterpunching strategy plan under an almost full moon at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, the famous outdoor stadium south.

Castano was caught with a right uppercut, a left hook, and the second knockdown. Charlo dropped Castano seconds later with two left hands to his head and one to the body. Castano was left on the ground.

Both fighters were ready for exchanges. Castano pressed forward, while Charlo counterpunched adroitly. Charlo was sharp off his ropes, but Castano won the fight in thrilling fourth round.

With both fighters throwing devastating shots, the fifth round was even more impressive. Charlo then put Castano on his knees with a big left hand in the seventh round, but Charlo curiously did not move in to finish it.

Charlo had a better strategy.

Charlo’s continued success

Charlo’s victory in the welterweight division is a significant moment in history.

Charlo won the 154-pound title for the first time in 2013. He also claimed the WBC belt in May 2016. It was lost to Tony Harrison on December 18, 2018, but he regained it with a convincing victory in the rematch. He also quickly added the WBA belt and IBF belts, stopping Jeison Rosariosario in September 2020.

Castano has a remarkable fighting career, despite training in Los Angeles since January. Castano held the WBA 154-pound title three times before winning the WBO belt last year.

Castano was unable to pull off an impressive upset last July when he met Charlo for the first time. Castano, despite his limitations in height and reach, pressed on and forced Charlo to do less-attractive counterpunching.

However, the judges could not decide. The first judge scored each fighter’s victory and the third saw a draw. No belts changed hands, and the fighters scheduled a rematch for February — but Castano tore his biceps muscle and required a postponement.