By Sammy Rozenberg

BoxingScene.com had a chance to catch up with lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo following his big win over former lightweight champion Julio Diaz. Castillo spoke to us about his fight with Diaz, he upcoming showdown with Diego Corrales and his future.

BoxingScene: Julio Diaz was a very game challenger, you seemed to have some problems early on and then figured him out. In what round did you know that he was finally starting to break down?

Castillo: Julio Diaz is a great fighter and showed a lot of heart tonight. He came ready to fight and it was battle. He was using his legs a lot in the fight so I made sure that everytime i got near him I went to the body. My bodyshots got to him, I saw him start to slow down in the 7th or 8th round and I knew it was only a matter of time before I stopped him.

BoxingScene: Diaz caught you with a few flush left hands in the fight that seemed to buckle your legs, were you ever hurt in this fight?

Castillo: Diaz is a very good puncher, he hit me very hard a few times and I felt the punches. He stunned me with a few punches, but I was able to keep myself together and win the fight.

BoxingScene: Did you expect Diaz to bring this kind of fight?

Castillo: Yes, I knew he was coming ready to fight, he gave up his title to fight me. I trained very hard for this fight and came prepared to win.

BoxingScene: You are set to fight Diego Corrales this coming May, are you happy that this fight is finally a reality?

Castillo: I'm very happy that the fight is going to happen. I will show the world that I am the best lightweight in the world.

BoxingScene: Are you worried about the punching power of Corrales?

Castillo: No, he is the one that has recently moved up in weight. I've been at this weight for a long and I think I'm the hardest puncher at 135. I am not looking past his power, I know he punches very hard. I have a much better chin then Corrales, when we step in the ring I will go to his chin.

BoxingScene: Does that mean you will give his body the night off?

Castillo: (laughing) No, his body will be tested too. I don't think he will be able to take my punches. I don't think Mayweather is a big puncher and Corrales was not able to take his punches, I hit a lot harder then Mayweather.

BoxingScene: Do you look at this fight as the biggest fight of your career?

Castillo: I look at every fight as the biggest fight of my career because every time I step in the ring I could be one loss away from the end of my career.

BoxingScene: Should you get past Corrales, would you consider a move up to 140 pounds where there could be a lot of big money fights for you?

Castillo: I will see after I beat Corrales in May. All I am thinking about right now is Corrales, once I beat him I will get together with my promoter and we will decide the next opponent.