By Rick Reeno
Later tonight, the participants of the "fight of the decade" get their much deserved chance to do it one more time. Unlike the first bout, controversy was in the air before the bell rang to start the fight.
Jose Luis Castillo was the center of attention at the weighin as he was unable to make weight for the contracted 135 pound battle. Because Castillo was unable to make weight. The WBC and WBO lightweight titles will not be on the line. The promoters Gary Shaw and Bob Arum, have agreed to allow Castillo to re-weigh-in later today. The most Castillo can weigh is 147 pounds, or else he will be fined $75,000 per pound.
Matthew Hurley - After such a brutal first fight, one of the questions on everyone's mind was, "How much can they possibly have left?" Of course we all said this after the first Barrera - Morales fight and the first Gatti - Ward fight. I think the rematch is going to be just as exciting. From a technical standpoint, Corrales should try to stay on the outside and use his height and reach. He was successful with this approach in the Casamayor rematch and intermittently against Castillo. It may happen for a round or two but then Diego will go for broke. Castillo will fight exactly the same way as the first time - straight ahead, only this time concentrating more exclusively on the body.
I look for Castillo to slowly break down Corrales. Diego is terribly susceptible to cuts and swelling. Once that happens the firefight will be on. Only this time Castillo, a bit more wary of Corrales' power, will end the fight in the later rounds setting up a possible rubber match.
Castillo TKO 9 Corrales
Mark Workman - I wonder if it's even possible for Castillo and Corrales to come close to equaling their first all-out war, but something tells me it's going to come close. Even though Corrales is a slight pick to beat Castillo again, I think Jose Luis Castillo is out to gain revenge and redemption and will be fighting for the pride of a nation: Mexico. Those are strong motivators. I see Castillo stepping up his vicious body attack and onslaught of uppercuts, wearing Corrales down, and finally knocking him out by the 11th round with one of his big left hooks, setting the stage for a possible third fight.
Sammy Rozenberg - Corrales will be smarter this time and box his way to a unanimous decision.
Paul Gallegos - One can only hope that this match is going to be half as good as the first fight. These two icons of the sport epitomize everything that is right within the squared circle. Neither one takes a backward step and they both put their hearts and souls on the line when they enter the arena. That said, this fight is a real toss up. Both men cracked each other with some of the hardest shots the division has ever seen. If Diego decides to box, then he could win with the added advantage of his jab. If he decides to play the inside game again, I think that Castillo will win this war. Both men are extremely gifted at their craft and it is good to see that these two have no animosity outside the ring. Inside the ring it is a classic battle of two ancient warriors. My heart says Castillo in 8 grueling rounds, but my brain tells me that Diego will use his boxing skills along with an iron chin to win by stoppage in the 11th round.
Dave Wilcox - This is what it is all about! Two warriors doing it again. I picked Castillo the first go around and I'm going to stick with him this time. Castillo will fight a more disciplined fight this time. I see Castillo wearing down the tough Corrales and getting him out of there late. Those expecting another slugfest might be disappointed this time.
Castillo TKO in 11
Rey Danseco - I feel that Corrales has the edge with a psychological advantage against Castillo. Corrales by unanimous decision.
Mike Indri - While a repeat performance of Corrales-Castillo l will be an insurmountable task, both of these world champions would die trying. Coming off of "the greatest fight" - in this generation - both warriors are ready to leave it all in the ring again this Saturday night.
With not yet realizing how much their brutal war took out of each other, both these guys are still at the top of their games. I don't think Castillo will let Corrales get away this time; no matter how many times Diego spits his mouthpiece out. Another great fight, but this time Castillo fights a little smarter and is able to prevail in the battle of the world's two best 135lb. fighters.
Jose Luis Castillo over Diego Corrales via 8-10 round TKO.
Dr. Peter Edwards - Corrales had the luck of the Irish on his side in the first fight, Castillo will make sure that his lucky streak ends here. Castillo by TKO in 8.
Tom Donelson - This fight depends upon who can make the needed adjustments. Corrales has the advantage since he can box as well as slug. If Corrales fight from the outside, he will win a decision. If not, Castillo could win by KO. Corrales by decision, since I am guessing that he will make the needed adjustments.
Umar ben Ivan-Lee - I like Corrales to win again, and if he uses his jab he can make things easy on himself, but if he decides to stay inside he could very well get knocked out.
Evan Korn - I truly believe Diego Corrales was lucky to win the first fight, considering he fought the fight Castillo wanted, and the one we all expected. Corrales, instead of boxing like he did in the Joel Casamayor rematch, will fight fire with fire once again. Castillo, a hellacious body puncher, will break Corrales down as the fight reaches the later rounds. Castillo TKO 11.
Dave Selwyn - When picking the winner of a fight, you have to look at the factors outside the ring as well as how the fighters match up inside the ring. The third fight between Corrales and Castillo has already been signed . Everybody will make more money if the third fight is a rubber match with both fighters have won once. Inside the ring this is a very close match up. Outside the ring it is no contest. I pick Castillo to win . It does not matter how he does it. Bob Arum and the powers that be would love for Castillo to win in order to setup a third fight.
David P. Greisman - It's an absolute shame to prognosticate for a night like this, when we should all just sit back and enjoy a card full of warriors and excellent matches.
Alas, Corrales via 9th round TKO. With that said, though, I cannot count Castillo out in any way, shape or manner. Let us hope that our high expectations will be met, and that Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo will have provided us with yet another night to remember.
Ronnie Nathanielsz - In their last fight which surely must be the "Fight of the Year", Castillo was unlucky to lose all because the referee messed up. However, this time around with Castillo's obvious weight problems, the attempt to cheat and all the controversy surrounding the fight may well affect his chances.
Besides, I believe Corrales is in great shape because his weight indicates that. Also, Diego Corrales is the more accomplished boxer and will use his speed and his tremendous combinations to eventually wear Castillo down and stop him.
Ja Lang G. Greene - Corrales - Easy night for Diego based upon Castillo's weight problems. Unanimous decision in 12.
James Blears - Their first encounter had everything- power, aggression, unquenchable and ruthless desire to win, heart stopping bravery, and above all, drama topped by incredible controversy.
“A SPIT SECOND” event determined the result of that fight and altered the course of fate. The residue of this will certainly carry over to their next encounter…or the eleventh round.
Jose Luis Castillo is seething because he feels he was robbed, and he is on a mission. It’s very unusual for him to make predictions. But he’s boldly stated that he’ll KO Diego Corrales by or before the seventh. That means the fireworks will have to start even sooner than before and burn with an even higher octane…if that’s possible.
Corrales could probably win by using his height and reach to good advantage. If he boxes instead of slugging then it’s going to be a let down rather than a knockdown. My feeling is that both men want to and will throw caution to the wind and see who’s left standing when the smoke clears. That’s what’ll make this doubly historic.
The pair of them went through the mincing machine in an epic war. Corrales came out of it in much worse shape. I don’t think he’s properly recovered in five months. Castillo has suffered several stoppages in his early career, but nothing as bad as What Corrales went through last time, or when he was pounded to the canvas by Floyd Mayweather Jr.
I go for Castillo by stoppage. But I don’t think he’ll be able to do it within seven. Ten again sounds like a magical figure to me.
Matteo Alderson - In the first fight I had Corrales, but this time around I'm going with Castillo. I've run into Corrales at a couple of fight cards and there is something different about him. I think the first fight really took something out of him. Also, politically and economically it would be more lucrative if Castillo win the third fight so they can have a multi-million dollar rubber match. Whatever happens it's going to be a good fight.
Rick Reeno - The fact that Castillo had some serious issues with making weight is clear indication that his camp was more about struggling to make 135 pounds than training for Corrales. I felt the fight was pretty even in terms of picking the winner. After today's' charade, I look at Corrales as the clear favorite to win this fight. Corrales by TKO in ten.
