Boxing News: Robinson Castellanos Earns Mandatory Shot at Jhonny Gonzalez

---

Robinson Castellanos seized what is likely his last shot at boxing immortality.

At 32 years of age and with 10 losses on his résumé, Castellanos outgunned a game Rocky Juarez to wrest away the WBC Silver featherweight title at the Cowboys Danehall Monday night in San Antonio, Texas.

With the win, Castellanos (20-10, 10 KOs) earned a mandatory shot at WBC featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KOs).

Related » Sherdog.com Boxing Homepage

Known as “Robin Hood,” Castellanos left his thieving to stealing rounds by the dozen. He simply was too fast and on another level with his technical prowess for the aging former WBC Silver ace.

Despite being knocked down three times in the final stanza, Juarez (30-11, 21 KOs) fought hard until the end. Yet, his only moral victory was going the distance in a bout that saw him on the wrong end of a one-sided -- although competitive -- fight.

When the dust settled, judges Thomas Nardone and David Sutherland saw the fight 118-106, while Juan Pelayo turned in a 118-107 score.

Juarez, 34, survived four knockdowns. Ahead of the scrap, he too, realizing this was likely his last opportunity for a major title shot, voiced intentions to retire should he come up short against Castellanos. Following the defeat, he made it official in an emotional in-ring speech.

Gibson Cruises Against Lara

In the evening’s opening Fox Sports-televised bout, Keandre Gibson used superior hand speed and defense to take all eight rounds from Nelson Lara en route to a unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 80-72).

Gibson, of St. Louis, moved to 12-0-1 with the win. Lara, a Nicaraguan now residing in Costa Rica, dropped to 15-7-4.

Following the bout, the 24-year-old super lightweight prospect expressed desire for two additional bouts against seasoned opponents before taking on an elite opponent by year’s end.

In a bout that was not expected to be broadcast, local fighter Javier Rodriguez scored a one-punch knockout of Quincy Wesby. The official time was 0:49 of round five.

Rodriguez (12-0-1), a super welterweight, threw a perfect counter-left hook that left Wesby unconscious on the floor.

Javier Rodriguez's knockout punch! @GoldenBoyBoxing pic.twitter.com/hXaNDQmKk2

— FOX Sports 1 (@FOXSports1) January 27, 2015