Jose Luis Castillo, who came up with a devastating one-punch knockout to beat Diego Corrales, has praise for the champ. He found him very strong, but felt that since Corrales couldn’t change his style that soon after the first encounter between the two, he was vulnerable to the Mexican’s strong inside fighting. Castillo talks about the win over Corrales in the post-fight press conference.
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Robert Cassidy Jr., a feature writer for The Sweet Science as well as Newsday, gets together with his dad, former light heavyweight contender “Irish” Bobby Cassidy, to analyze the upcoming rematch between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo. “Irish” thinks Corrales should have been disqualified in the first fight, and talks about how the “mouthpiece rule” may have malfunctioned in that one. He also thinks Corrales will have to change his tactics quite a bit to come away with a repeat victory, since Castillo is “the best inside fighter in boxing.”
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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)
(Goossen-Tutor Promotions press release)
After fighting his way to the top of the welterweight division and earning not only the prestigious 2002 Fighter of the Year award from numerous media and boxing outlets, and recognition as one of boxing’s best pound for pound, you just know that it would take more than a series of injuries to his rotator cuff and elbow to hold back Vernon Forrest.
All I can say is that this fight won’t be boring. Usually, when a fighter has been knocked out in the first fight, they are somewhat damaged the second time, but with Corrales tasting the canvas twice in that incredible tenth round, who can say that Corrales isn’t a broken fighter entering the rematch? I know Corrales won that fight, but consider all the wars Corrales has been through. I guess the same can be said of Castillo, which is why I think something strange will happen Saturday, with one of the fighters getting stopped early. Despite my feeling that Corrales should be reticent because of all the punishment he has taken, I have a sneaking suspicion that Corrales is not human, so I’m leaning toward Corrales dispatching Castillo before the sixth round.
Mitch Abramson
(Mitch Abramson, a feature writer for The Sweet Science, was the June 2005 winner of the CJ Award for superlative boxing journalism. To access his work, simply CLICK HERE)
Corrales, TKO 10. Corrales can make this fight as easy as he wants. He proved as much in the too few moments he kept his distance and thoroughly outboxed Castillo. Of course, Corrales will even the odds if he can’t help himself from slugging it out at close quarters. If Joe Goossen has ingrained into Corrales the concept of how dangerous a toe-to-toe brawl would be (or if simple human nature prevents Corrales from walking through that hell again), then Corrales will cruise.
Tim Graham
(Tim Graham, a winner of the 2004 “Barney” award for Best Event Coverage, is a feature writer for The Sweet Science, whose work can be accessed by CLICKING HERE)
I think how this fight goes, in terms of the style of fight it is, depends entirely on Diego Corrales. Chico is much more capable of playing the role of “boxer” who typically beats the “puncher.” In the first fight Corrales had it in his head that he was going to “hook with the hookerâ€? and “punch with the puncherâ€? that Castillo is. That doesn’t always work out but it did the first time when these two met as Chico earned a legitimate stoppage victory with a pretty nasty hook of his own. This time around I think trainer Goossen will be all over Corrales to make sure he doesn’t fight the same fight and that he boxes more from a distance working behind his jab. If he does it will be a less exciting fight but an easier victory for Diego, if he decides to brawl again, it’s anyone’s fight. I think Corrales proved what he wanted to in the first bout – showing everyone how tough he really is – and will win the intelligent way the second time around to prove what a complete fighter he really is.
Joey Knish
(Joey Knish is a feature writer for The Sweet Science, whose work can be accessed by CLICKING HERE)
Tim Graham, outstanding columnist for The Sweet Science as well as the Buffalo News, spoke with Boxing Channel’s Charles Jay last night about the Showtime-televised card in Reno, where Chris Byrd defended his IBF heavyweight title with a decision over DaVarryl Williamson and James Toney bested Dominick Guinn in the “main event.” Graham, who had taken an interest in Williamson’s career since his first-round KO loss to Buffalo’s Joe Mesi, thought in his one (and likely last) title opportunity, Williamson would have shown more fire. Meanwhile, Jay and Graham discuss whether Toney is right in the thick of the heavyweight picture in recovering from the debacle that transpired after the John Ruiz fight.
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Ed Maloney, a new addition to the team at The Sweet Science, reports from the St. Pete Times Forum after Saturday night’s fight between Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jr. Maloney talks to Charles Jay of Boxing Channel Radio about the highs and lows of both performances, the media reaction, reflections from the post-fight press conference, the revival of boxing in Tampa, Jones’ “legacy,” Tarver’s options, and where, if anywhere, can the dominant fighter of the 1990s go from here.
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Mitch Abramson, a feature writer for The Sweet Science, wonders why the match was even made. According to the former CJ Award winner, Roy Jones Jr. did nothing in the way of a sincere attempt to win Saturday’s light heavyweight fight against Antonio Tarver, and felt he came into the fight with nothing to give. Charles Jay of Boxing Channel Radio solicited Abramson’s thoughts in the wake of Tarver’s unanimous decision victory.
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