19.04.05 – By Jeff Steward: He is undefeated in his professional career. He has knocked out 77% of his opponents. He already has one win over a former heavyweight champion, and Saturday night he goes after another former champion as he clashes with Wladimir Klitschko. So, who is this promising up and comer? Well, his name is Eliseo Castillo, but promising is taking some liberties with words and his boxing record. First of all, Castillo’s 18 wins are spread over 8 years with two glaring two year layoffs.. Secondly, his win over former champion Michael Moorer was more a statement on Moorer than Castillo. Add to the mix the facts that Castillo has never been in the ring with a fighter of Klitschko’s size, he has not fought in 8 months and that he is traveling to the big man’s backyard and you have a recipe for Castillo’s first professional defeat.
Unable to back Chris Byrd into a corner, a fighter he has already beaten once, this match smacks of a safe move by Wladimir’s
team. Yet, Castillo has decent amateur and professional records, and given Wladimir’s unexpected past losses, he can not be totally written off. Wladimir has everything to lose. A loss to Castillo, coupled with his other recent poor showings and his top ten ranking would be in serious jeopardy, in spite of HBO and his brother Vitali.
Castillo has everything to gain. A win for him would set up a least one or two good paydays. It might even setup a title shot against Klitschko conqueror and WBO champion Lamon Brewster, provided Brewster gets past Andrew Golota. Boxing fans worldwide, and particularly in German will tune in to watch. Thousands will be in attendance. Klitschko better do what is expected or expect to be done career wise. Castillo better leave it all in the ring as all signs say this is his best shot at being more than a statistic in boxing history.