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Castillo-Corrales III: The rubber match between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales figures to happen in the first half of 2006. The burning question, however, is on which network: Showtime or HBO?
Showtime had the first two fights, but HBO, after a 2005 in which its non-pay-per-view fights have been less than stellar, is hot for the rubber match as it looks to beef up its live offerings.
The first Corrales-Castillo match in May was the all-time classic in which Corrales unified lightweight titles with a miracle 10th-round comeback in one of the greatest action fights of all time. The second fight in October, which was on pay-per-view, was exciting but not nearly as good, as Castillo knocked out Corrales in the fourth round to even the score.
However, both fights were shrouded in controversy. To refresh your memory, Castillo claimed foul after the first fight because Corrales received valuable extra recovery time in the 10th round after spitting out his mouthpiece after each knockdown. In the rematch, Corrales' handlers claim he was at a disadvantage because Castillo showed up 3½ pounds overweight, not to mention that one of Castillo's cornermen tried to manipulate the scale at the weigh-in.
The controversies have made a rubber match necessary, plus Corrales had a rematch clause in the contract for the second fight in case he lost.
That brings us to fight No. 3. Showtime and HBO have made offers for the fight, offers that would put the bout live on cable, not on pay-per-view.
HBO has offered a date in February or March. Showtime, which has the right to match any offer, wants the fight for May 6, which is during the Mexican holiday weekend of Cinco de Mayo.
Showtime would schedule the bout opposite an HBO PPV event expected to feature Oscar De La Hoya challenging junior middleweight titlist Ricardo Mayorga, forcing fight fans to pick between major fights.
The fighters, however, are anxious to fight as soon as possible rather than waiting until the spring. Castillo promoter Top Rank also wants the fight in February or March. Corrales promoter Gary Shaw, who is very closely aligned with Showtime, is inclined to go when Showtime says.
Ultimately, Showtime might have to move off of May 6 to a date earlier in the year or substantially increase its offer -- or watch its franchise fight go to fierce rival HBO.
per espn.com
Showtime had the first two fights, but HBO, after a 2005 in which its non-pay-per-view fights have been less than stellar, is hot for the rubber match as it looks to beef up its live offerings.
The first Corrales-Castillo match in May was the all-time classic in which Corrales unified lightweight titles with a miracle 10th-round comeback in one of the greatest action fights of all time. The second fight in October, which was on pay-per-view, was exciting but not nearly as good, as Castillo knocked out Corrales in the fourth round to even the score.
However, both fights were shrouded in controversy. To refresh your memory, Castillo claimed foul after the first fight because Corrales received valuable extra recovery time in the 10th round after spitting out his mouthpiece after each knockdown. In the rematch, Corrales' handlers claim he was at a disadvantage because Castillo showed up 3½ pounds overweight, not to mention that one of Castillo's cornermen tried to manipulate the scale at the weigh-in.
The controversies have made a rubber match necessary, plus Corrales had a rematch clause in the contract for the second fight in case he lost.
That brings us to fight No. 3. Showtime and HBO have made offers for the fight, offers that would put the bout live on cable, not on pay-per-view.
HBO has offered a date in February or March. Showtime, which has the right to match any offer, wants the fight for May 6, which is during the Mexican holiday weekend of Cinco de Mayo.
Showtime would schedule the bout opposite an HBO PPV event expected to feature Oscar De La Hoya challenging junior middleweight titlist Ricardo Mayorga, forcing fight fans to pick between major fights.
The fighters, however, are anxious to fight as soon as possible rather than waiting until the spring. Castillo promoter Top Rank also wants the fight in February or March. Corrales promoter Gary Shaw, who is very closely aligned with Showtime, is inclined to go when Showtime says.
Ultimately, Showtime might have to move off of May 6 to a date earlier in the year or substantially increase its offer -- or watch its franchise fight go to fierce rival HBO.
per espn.com
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