By Cliff Rold - How will they be remembered? Whether they admit it or not, that question has to cross the minds of World jr. welterweight champion Ricky Hatton (42-0, 30 KO) of Manchester, England and former World lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo (55-7-1, 47 KO, Ring Magazine #1 contender at 140) of Mexicali, Mexico.
Two issues seek immediate resolution in the search for answers.
For Hatton, the issue is his legitimacy as one of boxing’s best. His sensational 2005 effort in ripping the crown from the head of Kostya Tszyu was swallowed up in a failure to capture the momentum of his accomplishment. One of the games perceived bright new stars has become, since his signature win, one of its perceived questionable subjects.
For Castillo, the issue is an enhanced career legacy. The stain of fan disappointment in his past struggles with weight is levied against the remarkable depth of quality wins on his ledger. This opportunity to capture his second true world championship, if seized, could erase any doubts about Castillo’s stature in history. It would also make once large controversies a time-absolved blip on the radar.
Those issues are all the better for broadcaster HBO. Obviously knowing his network to be much maligned for a noticeable drop in the quality of non-Pay Per View matches on their World Championship Boxing telecasts, HBO’s head honcho for boxing Kery Davis is excited. [details]
Two issues seek immediate resolution in the search for answers.
For Hatton, the issue is his legitimacy as one of boxing’s best. His sensational 2005 effort in ripping the crown from the head of Kostya Tszyu was swallowed up in a failure to capture the momentum of his accomplishment. One of the games perceived bright new stars has become, since his signature win, one of its perceived questionable subjects.
For Castillo, the issue is an enhanced career legacy. The stain of fan disappointment in his past struggles with weight is levied against the remarkable depth of quality wins on his ledger. This opportunity to capture his second true world championship, if seized, could erase any doubts about Castillo’s stature in history. It would also make once large controversies a time-absolved blip on the radar.
Those issues are all the better for broadcaster HBO. Obviously knowing his network to be much maligned for a noticeable drop in the quality of non-Pay Per View matches on their World Championship Boxing telecasts, HBO’s head honcho for boxing Kery Davis is excited. [details]
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