LOS ANGELES (Feb. 22, 2016) – After a thrilling victory over perennial contender Rocky Juarez to win the WBC Silver Featherweight title and a mandatory shot at the world title, Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (23-11, 13 KOs) of Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico is finally getting the opportunity to become a world champion when he faces former WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Champion Oscar Escandon (24-2, 16 KOs) of Ibague, Colombia in a 12-round fight for the WBC Interim Featherweight World Championship on March 5 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
Featured as part of the non-televised portion of the Luis Ortiz vs. Tony Thompson undercard, the fight between the top featherweight contenders will be part of the international broadcast and streamed live on Ring TV. The Ring TV live stream begins at 9:00 p.m. ET and is available on RingTVLive.com, YipTV.com and the Ring TV channel via Amazon Fire, Roku and Filmon.com.
“This is the biggest fight of my career,” said Robinson Castellanos. “I know that Oscar Escandon is going to be a tough opponent. He is a former Olympian with recent victories over other difficult fighters like Jesus Cuellar. But, I feel very strong, focused and have been working very hard to make sure I obtain the victory. The state of Guanajuato has not had a world champion in more than 35 years and to be able to fight for a world title as a representative of my home is a big motivator for me. I want to thank my team, Golden Boy Promotions and all my supporters for this opportunity. I promise I will have my hands raised up in victory on March 5.”
“First I want to thank God, my team, my promoter Sampson Boxing for this opportunity,” said Oscar Escandon. “I also want to thank my family for all their support and I want to dedicate this fight to my newborn daughter. I feel very happy and thankful to be fighting for the world title. I know Robinson he is strong, hard puncher, but I am going to be 100 percent prepared for this fight. I have been training very hard and want to make sure I take the title back to my home. May the best man win.”
“Robinson Castellanos is a talented fighter with true grit, and I trust he will give it all in the ring on March 5 when he gets his first shot at a world championship,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Given Robinson’s thirst for this victory and the pedigree of his opponent Oscar Escandon, fans will be pleased with how this plays out in the ring at the DC Armory.”
Tickets priced at $25, $50, $75, and $100, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, are on sale today and available online at www.ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations by calling (800) 745-3000.The DC Armory Box Office will be open on fight night only from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET.
Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos is a fighter whose talent exceeds his record and has had one of the greatest comebacks in 2015. Coming off a loss to Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado in February 2014, Castellanos followed it up with a dominant victory over Ronny Rios in October 2014, stopping the then-unbeaten prospect in the fifth round. Castellanos continued to show his power in January of 2015 facing the warrior Rocky Juarez for the chance to win the WBC Silver Featherweight title and become the mandatory challenger for the WBC Featherweight World Championship. Both fighters showed a lot of heart and put on one of the bloodiest fights of 2015, but it was Castellanos’ dominance that was on display as his powerful jabs, brutal uppercuts and well-timed counter-punching knocked down Juarez in the fifth and twice in the 10th round to win via unanimous decision with scores of 118-106, 118-106 and 118-107. Now, Castellanos has a shot to become a world title holder when he faces Oscar Escandon on March 5.
Hailing from Ibague, Colombia, Oscar Escandon is a former world champion with a decorated amateur career. Escandon competed in the 2004 Olympics representing Colombia and was initiated into the professional ranks in 2008 with a victory over then unbeaten Luis Meza. From there, Escandon enjoyed an undefeated streak and defeat current WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus “El Jinete” Cuellar, Michael “Michell” Arango, and Javier Coronado along his path to capture the WBC Interim Latino Featherweight title in 2013. That same year Escandon faced Nehomar Cermeno for the WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Championship and came up short losing via split decision. Escandon quickly bounced back with a victory over Julian “Chispita” Evaristo Aristule in August of 2014 which secured him another shot at the WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Championship against Tyson “Prince of Hali” Cave in December of 2014, which he defeated via split decision. Escandon was last seen in the ring against Moises Flores in April of 2015 losing his title via split decision. Now, Escandon is ready to get back in the ring looking for another big victory and a world title when he faces Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos.
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Luis Ortiz vs. Tony Thompson is a 12-round heavyweight fight for the WBA Interim Heavyweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with King Kong Boxing and Warriors Boxing and Promotions. Sadam Ali vs. Jessie Vargas is a 12-round fight for the vacant WBO Welterweight World Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Top Rank, the HBO Boxing After Dark ® telecast begins live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Robinson Castellanos vs. Oscar Escandon is a 12-round fight for the WBC Interim Featherweight Championship and the Ring TV live stream begins at 9:00 pm. ET. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and the DC Armory doors open at 3:00 p.m. ET.
