By Mark Vester
Former junior welterweight champion Jose Luis Castillo says the motivation to become a major player at 140-pounds is still there. Castillo is still fighting at welterweight but wants to move back down for a final title run. He is one of the names being mentioned to face Miguel Cotto next June.
Castillo returns to the ring on December 19 in Sonora, Mexico against Saul Corral (16-6, KOs). Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KOs) is training in Mexicali, Baja California. The card will be co-promoted by Fernando Beltran and Top Rank, and features Alex Valdez (21-3-3, 15 KOs) interim WBA bantamweight champion Nehomar Cermeno (18-0, 10 KOs) and Humberto "Zorrita" Soto (49-7-2, 32 KOs), the WBC super featherweight king, going against Jesus "El Matador" Chavez (44-6, 30 KOs).
Castillo has not fought in Sonora since August 2002 when he defeated by knockout in the third, Verdell Smith.
"A lot of time has passed since the last time I fought in Sonora, but now I'm back and motivated. I plan to do well in a city where I had done well before, and on a large card with fighters like Alex Valdez and Humberto "Zorrita" Soto, and Hernan "Tyson" Marquez," Castillo said.
"Corral is a young boxer who will give me a chance to face someone with good speed, but show that this return is for real. To show the people boxing and the fans in general we are more than ready."
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