While Corrales may have won the first classic, the battle may have exacted more of a toll on “Chico’s” long, lean body. Months after the fight, Corrales was still bruised and battered around the eyes, while Castillo seemed relatively well-recovered. This may mean something, it may not. But the hunch is that Castillo is the fresher fighter. Also, he is a smart fighter – smarter than most give him credit for. And while his game plan of moving forward, punishing the body and out-willing Corrales won’t change, his defense will have improved. He won’t get hit with the sort of solid punches that staggered him the first time, like the sweeping left hook that caught him in the eighth round of their first fight. Finally, when he gets Corrales hurt, he won’t be careless. He’ll take his time and pick his shots. As a result, he’ll take a split decision in a fight that is only slightly less exciting than the first.

Matt Aguilar

(Matt Aguilar is a feature writer for The Sweet Science, as well as a writer for the El Paso Times. To access his work, simply CLICK HERE)