04.05.05 – By Goran Drago: What makes this match so highly anticipated is not just the fact that the winner will be true champion of the 135 division. It is far more than that. In my books, neither of the boxers, will ever be on top of pound-for-pound rankings, but that doesn’t make this bout less intriguing..
Jose Luis Castillo is tough fighter, and he knows only one way in a ring and that is to come forward, as he rains punches from the opening round, tirelessly and relentlessly. In his first fight against Mayweather, he has shown why he is force to be reckoned in lightweight division. Against both, Juan Lascano and Joel Casamayor he has lost some early rounds – but using his size, strength and stamina, he managed to put them on tremendous pressure in closing rounds, which ultimately gave him judge’s decision. With his constant offensive-mindedness, he seems to devour his opponents. This time, he has opponent who is in some ways similar boxer.
Diego Corrales knows one way in a ring and that is, also, to press forward. Under trainer, Joe Goosen, Diego is more of a boxer but not less of a banger. And since he has moved up in the weight-class, he has bulked up his tall frame, and he looks strong, imposing and determined. He is a murderous puncher, and he likes to fire his shots straight down the middle, and his hooks are short and powerful. With his long-reach, stinging jab, he can cause problems to any straight-forward coming opponent.
So, in more than one way, both boxers are made for each other, and that is what makes this fight truly intriguing. They have similar deficiencies, their movements are somewhat limited and they don’t use too much angles in the way, Casamayor, Freitas and especially Mayweather does. But all that will be compensated by tremendous heart and fighting spirit that both boxers possess.
I expect banging from the opening round, and extremely brutal encounter. I just hope some nasty cut doesn’t stop the fight prematurely, even though I don’t think this fight will go full 12 rounds.
Something here will give in. None of the boxers are especially good defensive tacticians, and both use attack as a way of defense. Castillo’s chin is the best in a business, but so are the Diego’s short straights, so this will be massive test for both fighter’s abilities.
Key for Corrales is to use jabs, not only to keep Castillo on a distance when he attacks, but also to set up his power shots. Also, he should use uppercuts when Castillo bends himself forward. His movement must be lateral and sideways, and that would keep Castillo somewhat off the balance.
Key for Castillo is, in my view, relentless body attack on Coralles from early rounds. Bend down, but using lateral movements to avoid uppercuts, go for body, until Diego start dropping a hands. And when, and if that happens, Castillo should have an edge thereafter.
Still, this one is too close to call. Both of them are close quarter fighters, and both of them have enough firepower to knock each other out. There is only one certainty here, this won’t be chess match, and you will not see any chicken runs here. This will be an grinding and brutal fight that can go either way, in any round.
This could be potentially, fight of the year.