Top Rank signs bantamweight Carlos Castro
Undefeated super bantamweight contender Carlos Castro has signed a multi-year promotional agreement with Top Rank, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum announced today. Castro, a 24-year-old resident of Phoenix, Arizona, has a record of 20-0 with nine knockouts and is the current WBC USNBC super bantamweight champion.
“I am very proud of this achievement. I know that signing with Top Rank is a great opportunity for me and will bring other great opportunities to my career,” Castro said. “I am ready to continue developing my talent and demonstrate why Top Rank signed me.”
Castro was born in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, and moved to Phoenix with his family when he was 2 years old. He had an extensive amateur career consisting of nearly 200 fights, and as a youngster, he won a pair of National Silver Gloves titles. Castro made his pro debut as an 18-year-old on June 16, 2012, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Tony Green at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix.
Castro has fought 16 of his 20 pro bouts at the Celebrity Theater, cultivating a loyal fan base in his hometown. He lives and trains in Phoenix under the guidance of Angel Soto, who has been his trainer since he was 10 years old.
Castro took a big step up in competition in September 2016 against longtime contender Jorge Diaz, stopping Diaz in the opening round. He went 2-0 in 2017, shutting out Juan Palacios over eight rounds in April and knocking out Basilio Nieves in the fourth round in October.
In his last bout, on Feb. 24 in Phoenix, Castro knocked out Alexis Santiago in the 10th and final round after Santiago’s corner threw in the towel. It was the first time Santiago (21-5-1 entering the fight) had been knocked out as a pro.
Castro’s first fight under the Top Rank banner will be announced soon.