15.06.08 – by James Slater: Having his first fight in nine months, Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo steps back in the ring this coming July 30th. Making his debut up at welterweight in a bout against the once-beaten Lanardo Tyner at The Sycuan Resort and Casino, California, the former WBC lightweight champion’s bout will be televised by ESPN..
Castillo, who will be having his second fight since his body shot KO loss to Ricky Hatton, had no choice but to move up to 147 pounds. After failing to make weight for his scheduled light-welterweight eliminator with Timothy Bradley back in March, the Mexican tough guy had obviously outgrown his second weight class. In taking on Tyner, who at age 32 is the younger man by two years, the 56-8-1(48) veteran has not picked an overly easy opponent in which to debut as a welterweight.
Tyner may have lost his last fight – on points to Mike Arnaoutis in May – but the 32-year-old has had the experience of boxing up at welterweight before. In fact, Tyner’s pro career began at 147 pounds. Will Castillo be able to fight effectively up at welter? Tyner is no slouch. With a good record of 19-1(11) the man knows as “Pain Server” has earned himself a reputation as a more than capable fighter. Indeed, a number of fans expected him to beat Arnaoutis in their USBA light-welterweight title fight. After having come up short, Tyner will be in no mood to lose two in a row.
We don’t really know what Castillo has left. He’s been in a number of brutal wars, has not been active of late, and has had weight problems. Moving up once again may have been his only option, but this doesn’t mean he will be able to fight well up at 147. Some say he all but quit in his fight with Hatton, and if this is the case Castillo may well quit again if a fight gets too tough – once a quitter always a quitter and all that. After 65 fights in a long career that began way back in 1990, the best has certainly been seen of the 34-year-old battler.
In need of money (reportedly, anyway) Castillo has to fight on. He may beat Tyner, but how he does so will be paramount to his future success. If he struggles, time may well be called on the future Hall of Famer’s great career. It goes without saying that should Castillo lose, his career will be all done. I think Castillo will win a decision over the durable Tyner on, but he may have to dig deep to do so. It’s likely Castillo and his performance will be under a good deal of scrutiny come July the 30th.