08.05.05 – By Goran Dragosavac: Oh boy, oh boy! The match between Castillo and Corrales will be remembered as the one of the most exciting boxing matches in a recent boxing history. This match was one of the best I have ever seen. I have said that sentence few times in a last couple of years, and it seems clearly that we are witnessing boxing rebirth. It is true golden era of boxing.. Funny enough, it has nothing to do with heavy-weights, it has nothing to do with Don King, and it has all to do with brilliant boxers in lighter weight divisions. Also, it has something to do with one boxing promoter who has realised what boxing needs, and what boxing fans wants – and that is Bob Arum, and he should be thanked for co-organising yet another unforgettable boxing event.
Yes, there were few seats empty, but we know that people who came to watch this match didn’t come for the boxer’s good looks, (..they certainly weren’t good looking after the match). For this match, people came to see boxing in its purest and most exciting form, and what a spectacle it was.
In my boxing previews and predictions, there were times where I was somewhat off the target. In a matches like Corrales vs. Freitas, or Hopkins vs. Eastman – I couldn’t have been more wrong in terms of how match actually played out. Well, if you have read my preview of this fight – you can see that this time I was pretty much spot on, even though I didn’t want to make
any prediction of the winner. I expected brutal fight, and I expected this to be possible fight of the year. Also, I expected close quarter fight – and it turned out that way. I didn’t expect boxing wizardry of Mayweather, I didn’t expect boxing saviness of Hopkins, or whole arsenal of beautiful shots from Marquez or Barrera – but hey – what we got here was non-stop heart pumping excitement that no other sport offers.
Both fighters started fast and furious, without wasting any rounds to tactically figure each other. From the second round, it became very much inside fight, with vicious blows from the both sides. Castillo was firing body shots throughout the fight, but his best shots were uppercuts, and by using them, Castillo managed to open up Corrales, throwing him backwards and setting up some of his hooks, that on occasion, threw Corrales completely off balance.
Corrales looked very impressive and effective on the outside by using his range, and reach advantage, but for some reason, he was quick to step in and trade brutal exchanges with Castillo – and by doing that, he made this fight much harder for himself. He is far more effective as an outside boxer – he has won some of his best wins (against Casamayor and Freitas) from outside. Problem is, his heart and ego loves to trade punches but that’s not what will keep him winning, if he fights the best in 140 pound division.
So, from round 1 to 10, I had this fight fairly even, with slight advantage to Corrales. Both fighters had their moments when they managed to hurt each other just when it looked that they are the ones who are getting hurt, and on a couple of occasions both fighters were staggered, and literally saved by the bell.
And then 10th round came. Just before round started, Castillo’s trainer told his fighter to go and fight from the outside, assuming Corrales has a problem with a vision (having had massive swelling just below his left eye), so he won’t be able to pose any treat with his high velocity punches.
Well, what happened next is a true boxing history and the one of the biggest boxing turnarounds ever.
So, having had listen to his corner Castillo comes from outside, completely opened up, firing shots from all angles – and result were quicker than anyone have expected – Castillo steps in, with a vicious hook and puts Corrales on a floor. Corrales beats the count, stands up, tries to exchange, but 20 seconds later – he is on a floor again. This time he hardly beats the count, but he manages to steal a few precious seconds by spitting his mouthpiece out. At that time, anybody who watched this fight, probably thought – that’s it for Corrales, since there was still minute and half remaining. So, they start exchanging again, Castillo is still on outside, tries to finish the job, hurts yet again Corrales, but then he gets countered with one of Chico’s trade-mark hooks. And then, he gets hit again. This time, he is hurt and Corrales jumps on him, unleashing hooks and straight rights, until Castillo’s eyes went blank, and head started collapsing, supported by the ropes, he was still standing upright, and then referee jumps to save the fighter from the serious injury.
So, after being knocked down twice, Corrales raises from brink of defeat to knock out his opponent – in the same round. I certainly haven’t seen anything like that in modern boxing. Truely amazing, and sensational ending.
In retrospect, what brought the knockouts to Castillo, ultimately cost him a fight, and that was decision to fight from the distance, allowing Corrales to load power shots that he is known for.
In a fight like this, there is no loser and the biggest winner is the sport itself and the boxing fans. Both boxers deserved standing ovations for tremendous display of heart and courage, and if they ever decide to mix it up again – one thing is guaranteed – next time around there won’t be any seats empty in a house.