By Mark Vester

It was only a few short years ago that former champion Jose Luis Castillo (56-9, 48KOs) was still being ranked among the best pound for pound fighters in the sports. The fighter who once ruled the lightweight division with an iron fist and came close to handing Floyd Mayweather Jr. his first professional loss. A few defeats later, struggles with weight and financial issues have crippled his career at age 35 and he is now viewed as a shot fighter.

Castillo lost a one-sided decision to Sebastian Andres Lujan last July. Everyone thought they had seen the the last of Castillo that night, but he returns on January 17 against James Wayka (16-7, 8KOs) in Palenque del FEX in Mexicali, Mexico. Due to his issues with weight, the fight is the second welterweight contest in a row for the former champ.

Castillo calls the upcoming fight in Mexico his "last chance run" to get his career back on track. He continues to promise a eventual drop down in weight to capture the junior welterweight title. He is too small and not strong enough for a serious run at 147. He says that he took a six-month layoff to take care of some personal issues. Now he plans to give it one last go in Mexico.

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