As If You Didn't Get Enough Latin Love Last Weekend!
by Coyote Duran
12/3 - We knew it was bound to happen. Well maybe, we didn't but we boxing nerds sure as hell like it and we've probably watched the match thousands of times in the arenas of our imaginations.
Speaking of imaginations, five'll getcha ten that when Jose Luis Castillo (50-6-1 with 45 KOs) regained the WBC Lightweight (as well as The Ring World Lightweight championship) title, he never dreamt his first hurdle would be the enigmatic Cuban roughhouse Joel Casamayor (31-2 with 19 KOs), much less headlining a potentially explosive triple-header (supported by the Jeff Lacy/Omar Sheika IBF Super Middleweight title fight and Jeremy Williams/Samuel Peter heavyweight fight.) this Saturday on Showtime Championship Boxing.
Since Castillo methodically beat Juan Lazcano decisively in June on the undercard of the De La Hoya/Sturm pay-per-view, to some it was a delightful surprise to find out Castillo's first defense would be against the crafty "El Cepillo".
But why Joel Casamayor? Why a man who seemingly has nothing to lose these days? Think about it: In 2002, Casamayor lost a unanimous decision and his WBA Super Featherweight title to then WBO Super Featherweight titlist Acelino Freitas. In October 2003, he beat Diego Corrales on cuts but then lost his trainer Joe Goossen to Corrales who defeated Casamayor five months later. Meanwhile, Corrales would venture to 135 and present Freitas with an astounding TKO loss.
After a tidy unanimous decision over Daniel Seda in July, Casamayor is challenging for another title, this time five pounds north. But who does this benefit, Casamayor or the defending champ, Castillo? By beating Casamayor, does this bring Castillo closer to beating the man who is very likely outshining him as a force in the lightweight division? Or if Casamayor wins, will his opportunity to avenge his loss to Corrales come to fruition? Surprisingly, Diego Corrales' name scarcely emerged when both Castillo and Casamayor engaged the media via conference call on Tuesday. These guys only have one thing in their sights: Each other.
Jose Luis Castillo, not unlike many Mexican fighters, is calculating and face first. This encounter with Joel Casamayor should be no different. "I think the great thing will be pressure and throwing a lot of punches. I know what I need to do and plan on going in there and getting it done." said Castillo, noting what his primary focus rests on. But this isn't just any old challenge. Casamayor is a southpaw infamous for shady tactics and rough stylings. When addressed about taking on such a wily left-hander, Castillo was his usual confident relaxed self. "I have never had problems with left-handers in any of my fights. Joel is a very capable fighter that can move around and he might be a problem for a few rounds, but once I get into it, I will be OK."
Fair enough. But what about the "dirty" Casamayor Castillo might get this Saturday? "From what I have seen, I have not really seen anything of him as a dirty fighter. He had a head butt with Corrales in one fight, but that is normal when you have a left-hander and a right-hander. After the fight, I will answer that question." Castillo offered. Gotta love that diplomacy. It makes one wonder of the psychology behind the comment. Is Jose Luis Castillo such a sportsman that he sees a pure challenge in front of him and gallantly believes Casamayor is uncapable of such under-the-table hijinks or is he wisely reminding his challenger with a nod and a wink that he'd better behave himself?
How does Casamayor see the fight playing out? Casamayor's ever-present bravado answered for him. "It will end with a Casamayor victory whether I have to go twelve rounds to win or through a knockout punch. Whatever happens, I will be the victor."
Damn.
No hearts and flowers. No "I respect my opponent and I know it'll be a great fight." type comments. None o' that crap with Casamayor. Then again, did you expect anything different from this guy? Neither did I. Joel Casamayor didn't sit in the Top 3 or 4 of the junior lightweight division by being nice or playing fair. But this is the 135 pound division. Outside of a few fights peppered throughout his career, Casamayor is marking new territory with some new dogs in the neighborhood, not to mention some familiar ones as well. So is "El Cepillo" ready at 135? Casamayor: "I have worked hard for this fight. I am in tremendous shape and you all must remember that speed kills."
That it does. But Jose Luis Castillo knows how to deal with speed. Ask Floyd Mayweather Jr. about their first encounter that won Castillo a few fans, many of them (myself included) who thought Castillo even beat "The Pretty Boy." Plus, don't let the 6 defeats fool you. The 50 wins (45 of them by knockout) and the recent bludgeoning of Lazcano should give fans an indication that this could be a real crowd pleaser.
If that's not enough, we at least get another all-Latino scrap, two weeks in a row.
And we all know how much fun that can be, right?
Agree or disagree? Comments can be sent to Coyote Duran at theboxingguy@yahoo.com
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