Jason Castanon seems to be for the openings in his professional debut towards Luis Rivera-Reyes. Photograph by Stephanie Trapp/Boxing Insider
NEW YORK — Because the minutes ticked down in the direction of Jason Castañon’s skilled debut, the truth of what he was about to undertake was starting to sink in. The gloves he was about to placed on his fists had been 8 ounces, 4 ounces lighter than those he wore for his roughly 35 novice bouts. The 30-year-old from the Sundown Park part of Brooklyn, N.Y. knew he may trigger nice hurt with these on his fingers, however may additionally obtain some injury if his opponent linked on him.
Ultimately, Castañon delivered greater than he obtained in his four-round light-weight bout towards Luis Rivera-Reyes, which passed off on March 7 at Sony Corridor in New York Metropolis. After taking some early return hearth from the Puerto Rico-based debutant, Castañon put Rivera-Reyes down with a pair of proper fingers to complete the bout a second earlier than the tip of spherical three.
“It was an amazing expertise, it was manner completely different from the amateurs,” stated Castañon, often called “The Joker,” per week after he made the leap to the skilled degree.
“The gloves are smaller and you need to shield your self always. It might be unhealthy being on the opposite finish. However apart from that, it was a superb expertise. I took the struggle to the third spherical, I acquired some rounds in. It was enjoyable.”
Larry Goldberg, whose firm Boxing Insider Promotions promoted Castañon‘s professional debut, was impressed with what he noticed.
“Jason received the hearts of his followers in New York Metropolis and we look ahead to bringing him again quickly,” stated Goldberg. “My favourite a part of being a membership promoter is giving the chance to somebody like Jason to go professional in his hometown.”
For Castañon, boxing hasn’t at all times been about enjoyable. It’s been a matter of survival.
Castanon will get overestimated within the nook as coach Argenis Arce seems to be on. Photograph by Stephanie Trapp/Boxing Insider
Born to Puerto Rican and Mexican dad and mom, boxing was at all times enjoying within the family rising up. He had his first struggle at age 15, and boxed till he was 19. That’s when he admits that he acquired concerned with the streets and acquired into hassle. He returned to boxing at age 25, a call he says seemingly saved his life.
“It modified my life for the higher, even being a greater father, being a greater man exterior the ring, being accountable, being disciplined,” stated Castañon, who made it to the finals of the 2022 Ring Masters Championship, which is USA Boxing Metro’s Nationwide Golden Gloves qualifying match.
“Thank God as a result of if it wasn’t for this sport I wouldn’t be right here proper now.”
Coach Argenis Arce says he was there with open arms when Jason returned to the fitness center. Arce, who owns the Sweatbox Health club in Sundown Park, has identified Castañon since he was 12 years previous, when he educated alongside Arce and his coach Juan Rivera. He described Jason as a “troubled youth” who had been on his personal for the reason that age of 15, perpetually out and in of hassle.
The boxing fitness center would find yourself being the place the place he may thrive.
“I’ve achieved my greatest for him in offering work at Sweatbox and conserving him targeted on boxing and out of the road. It’s been powerful; our group on the fitness center, Jason, [fellow unbeaten pro Joel Telles] and I all share comparable tales. I do my greatest to impose my expertise as an enormous brother and father determine and information them the perfect I can,” stated Arce.
Boxing is greater than only a constructive pastime for Castañon. He’s additionally excellent at it, says Arce.
“He has all of the makings of an amazing fighter. Quick, energy in each fingers, can take a punch and provides one. Boxing is a lifestyle for him. It’s not simply one thing he picked up as a result of it was cool. He lives it and loves it. It’s all he does,” says Arce.
Now, Castañon is trying to make up for misplaced time, and says he plans to struggle once more inside the subsequent month. He could also be often called “The Joker” however Castañon doesn’t take boxing as a laughing matter.
“All my favourite fighters had been truly Puerto Rican and Mexican. It’s the perfect of each worlds, I at all times come to struggle, it doesn’t matter what. If you happen to’d seen me all through my novice profession you realize what to anticipate, fireworks,” stated Castañon.
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Every day Information, Rappler and The Guardian, and is a part of the Craig Newmark Graduate Faculty of Journalism Class of 2020. He may be reached at [email protected].
Comply with @ryansongalia
