Marc Castro made his eagerly anticipated professional debut on the biggest platform since the pandemic era, the undercard to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Callum Smith.
Castro dispatched of Luis Javier Valdes inside three rounds last Saturday night, December 19 2020. As the world waited to see Canelo crowned king at 168lbs Marc took his opportunity and grabbed it with both gloves.
Valdes was an experienced pro having had 13 professional bouts heading into the Castro fight and had never been stopped in five previous losses.
Marc made a statement by stopping the 21-year-old Mexican who was down in both the second and third rounds, and a flurry of big punches put him on the canvas again, where he failed to beat the count.
The Super Featherweight’s debut was long overdue after a string of cancelations this year. But, finally Matchroom Boxing managed to get Castro out on their last card of the year.
Castro won an incredible 17 national titles and two world titles, departing the unpaid ranks with a record of 177-7.
It was back in February when Eddie Hearn won the race for his signature beating many suitors for the amateur sensation.
As a child boxing was not the sport of choice for Castro, in fact he would pretend to be asleep in order to escape boxing classes.
Soon though his boxing potential was realised as he started to win tournaments. It was the buzz of winning that took him back to the gym and he never looked back.
Marc Castro became only the second boxer in U.S. history to win consecutive Youth and Junior World Championships, joining Shakur Stevenson.
Stevenson is just two years older than Marc and has already made his mark in the professional ranks becoming world champion. A feat that Castro wants to accomplish himself.
“Marc Castro is the best American amateur prospect to turn pro since the last Olympics,” said Eric Bottjer, Matchroom Boxing USA’s respected matchmaker.
“There’s no doubt Marc can be a world champion one day and be a crossover star,” said manager Keith Connolly, who also oversees prospects Nikita Ababiy, Reshat Mati and Edgar Berlanga.
“Marc is really the total package. I like his relentless style. He has a great look to him, and right now, we have plenty of time.
“Eddie [Hearn] wants to push Marc and has given him the option of fighting as much as he wants.”
2021 looks set to be a busy year for Castro as he looks to become one of the star attractions at Super Featherweight alongside current rising stars, Chris Colbert, Shakur Stevenson and Jojo Diaz.
