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by David P. Greisman - Long before Ricky Hatton tossed aside the headgear in favor of the professional ranks, Jose Luis Castillo was throwing down in the rings of Mexico, throwing caution to the wind and, win or lose, almost never going the distance.
While Hatton worked through his developmental stages, taking on limited but increasingly difficult competition, Castillo was working toward his lengthy run as one of the lightweight elite.
From 1996 to 2000, Castillo went to camp with the great Julio Cesar Chavez, training as one of the future Hall of Famer’s main sparring partners. And as the 20th Century wrapped up, Castillo began the next phase in his career with a win and a draw against Stevie Johnston.
The Johnston victory gave Castillo the World Boxing Council lightweight title – a belt that Chavez had held a dozen years earlier. And though Chavez fought on long after his best days were over, Castillo’s ascension marked a passing of the torch, the student becoming the master.
Castillo must have weathered countless left hooks to the liver in those sparring sessions, Chavez’ trademark manner of simultaneously sucking the air and the hope out of his opponents. It was trial by fire, Castillo running the gauntlet to see if he had what it took to hold his own with the elite.
It was the same punch that just might have let Castillo know that his time at the top is over.
With a minute remaining in the fourth round of Saturday’s main event at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Castillo launched a left hook at the head of junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton. Hatton responded with a left hook of his own that bounced off of Castillo’s shoulder, but the Mancunian Mauler followed with another that veered around Castillo’s elbow and into his body.
Castillo, whose face immediately soured, turned away, favoring his right side and taking a knee by the ropes. His body frozen, his breath stolen, Castillo let his mouthpiece protrude as referee Joe Cortez counted to 10. Hatton’s looping left, fittingly, had given Castillo the hook. [details]
While Hatton worked through his developmental stages, taking on limited but increasingly difficult competition, Castillo was working toward his lengthy run as one of the lightweight elite.
From 1996 to 2000, Castillo went to camp with the great Julio Cesar Chavez, training as one of the future Hall of Famer’s main sparring partners. And as the 20th Century wrapped up, Castillo began the next phase in his career with a win and a draw against Stevie Johnston.
The Johnston victory gave Castillo the World Boxing Council lightweight title – a belt that Chavez had held a dozen years earlier. And though Chavez fought on long after his best days were over, Castillo’s ascension marked a passing of the torch, the student becoming the master.
Castillo must have weathered countless left hooks to the liver in those sparring sessions, Chavez’ trademark manner of simultaneously sucking the air and the hope out of his opponents. It was trial by fire, Castillo running the gauntlet to see if he had what it took to hold his own with the elite.
It was the same punch that just might have let Castillo know that his time at the top is over.
With a minute remaining in the fourth round of Saturday’s main event at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Castillo launched a left hook at the head of junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton. Hatton responded with a left hook of his own that bounced off of Castillo’s shoulder, but the Mancunian Mauler followed with another that veered around Castillo’s elbow and into his body.
Castillo, whose face immediately soured, turned away, favoring his right side and taking a knee by the ropes. His body frozen, his breath stolen, Castillo let his mouthpiece protrude as referee Joe Cortez counted to 10. Hatton’s looping left, fittingly, had given Castillo the hook. [details]
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