Jose
Luis Castillo (born December 14, 1973) is a Mexican professional
boxer. Generally considered one of the best lightweights of his era,
he is a former Ring Magazine and two time WBC lightweight world champion.
Castillo is best known for his first bout with Diego Corrales, for
which he received Fight of the Year awards by both The Ring and Boxing
Writers Association of America, as well as his first fight with Floyd
Mayweather Jr., which ended with controversial scorecards.
Professional
career
Lightweight
Castillo vs Johnston I & II
In 2000, having
two straight wins over Jorge Paez and Steve Quinonez, Castillo
challenged WBC lightweight titleholder and Ring No. 1 ranked Lightweight
Stevie Johnston. Heavily favored as underdog, Castillo was slated
to lose. Instead, Castillo scored the Ring Magazine Upset of the Year,
defeating Johnston by a majority decision, in what was a very close
fight. Three months later, they fought to a draw, memorable because
miscalculation adding the scores led to an original announcement of
Johnston regaining his title, which Castillo learned about when Johnston
showed up in his dressing room to return the strap.
After fighting
Johnson, Castillo defened his title against Ring Top 10 Lightweight,
Cesar Bazan. Castillo defeated Bazan by 6th round TKO, dropping Bazan
in the 5th and 6th rounds.
Castillo vs Mayweather I
In their
first bout with undefeated American junior lightweight champion Floyd
Mayweather Jr., Castillo started slow but gradually lured the flashy
boxer into a toe to toe battle. Castillo had great success in the
middle rounds, when he cut off the ring and used his strength to try
to wear down Mayweather. As the fight progressed, Castillo's power
and pressure seemed to turn the fight in his favor, having tremendous
success with body punching while Mayweather became more stationary,
allowing the stronger Castillo to do significant work. Castillo closed
the fight strong, outlanding Mayweather 35-20 in the 11th round and
totally dominated the 12th. Punch stats showed Castillo with lopsided
totals in every category; punches landed, thrown & power punches
landed & thrown and overall connect percentages. Despite the clear
advantages numerically, judges Jerry Roth and John Keane scored it
115-111, and judge Anek Hongtonkam scored it 116-111, all for Mayweather,
a decision that was loudly booed by the crowd.
Castillo vs Mayweather
II
After Mayweather's successful shoulder surgery, Castillo rematched
with Mayweather. Mayweather used his quick footwork, combinations
and his jab specialty to coast to another unanimous decision victory,
this time with all analysts in agreement, including Harold Lederman.
The smaller Mayweather was again outweighed by Castillo on the night
of the fight, as Castillo weighted 147 and Mayweather weighted 138.
Castillo
vs Lazcano
On June 5, 2004, Castillo regained the Lightweight title
and won the vacant Ring Lightweight title by defeating ring No. 1
ranked Lightweight, Juan Lazcano, Castillo won the fight by unanimous
decision, by the scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113.
Castillo
vs Casamayor
In Castillo's first title defense, he fought former Super
Featherweight and future Lightweight champion, Joel Casamayor. In
what was a very close fight, Castillo was awarded the close and controversial
split decision. The scores were 116-112 and 117-111 for Castillo,
and 115-113 for Casamayor. Castillo's next fight was a title defense
against Ring Top 10 Lightweight, Julio Diaz, which Castillo won by
TKO in the 10th round.
Castillo vs Corrales I
On May 7, 2005,
Castillo fought WBO Lightweight champion and Ring No. 1 ranked Lightweight,
Diego Corrales. Corrales defeated Castillo for the WBC lightweight
title via TKO in the tenth round.
