June 3
On June 3 we will be treated to the final chapter of one of the legendary trilogies of all time. When Jose Luis Castillo, 54-7-1 (47 KO), and Diego "Chico" Corrales, 40-3 (33 KO), square off on Showtime, they will be fighting for the right to say they truly were the better fighter. Not to mention the WBC and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championship.
Last May, Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo met in a fight that was anticipated to be fight of the year. Little did anyone know it would end up becoming the fight of the decade. After back-and-forth action that had both men shaking off shots that would drop welterweights, Castillo knocked down Corrales twice in the tenth round and appeared to be on his way to the win of a lifetime. After the second knockdown, Corrales spit out his mouthpiece and was deducted a point that would become inconsequential. Corrales, rejuvenated from the reprieve, battled back manfully and stopped Corrales on the ropes in later in the tenth round.
The media adulation that ensued made the rematch one of the most highly anticipated fights in years. However, when both fighters weighed in, Castillo failed to make the 135 pound limit. After a second weigh in, and a corner man being ejected and suspended for trying to rig the scales, they agreed to fight at a catch weight of 147 the next day. From the opening bell, Castillo controlled the action and his strength advantage seemed to be insurmountable. After winning the first three rounds big, Castillo blasted Corrales out in the fourth with a picture perfect left hook.
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