Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo
Fight Facts
Date: 7th-May-2005
Venue: Mandalay bay, Las Vegas, NV
Title: World Lightweight (Unification)
Result: Diego Corrales wins (rsf 10)
Referee: Tony Weeks
On May 7th 2005 those in attendance at the Mandalay bay resort, Las Vegas, NV, were unaware they were about to witness one of the greats of modern times. Going into the bout there was no question these were the two best Lightweights in the world. Jose Luis Castillo (52-6-1, 46 KOs)the WBC lightweight champion was coming off wins against Juan Lazcano, Joel Casamayor and Julio Diaz all worthy contenders. While Diego Corrales (39-2, 32 KOs) the WBO lightweight champion a tenth round knockout victory over the tough Alecio Freitas and a split decicion over Joel Casamayor. The boxing world was split down the middle as to who they thought would have the edge, some preferred the Sacramento native Corrales for his explosive punching power others leaned towards the Mexican Castillo for his strength, experience and durability.
From the opening bell Corrales ditched his advantages in height and reach and adopted to stand his ground and fight inside, I am privileged to say I was ringside and in my view it was this change of style by Corrales that made this thrilling spectacle the fight it was, fighting inside was going into Castillo territory and I am sure many in attendance had a change of mind as to who they thought would win after witnessing what looked like suicide tactics from Corrales.
Over the first nine rounds both men repeatedly rocked one another with power punches, much to the delight of the 5203 in attendance, the fact neither man had been on the canvas was a miracle in itself as the fight was being fought at a ferocious pace. It seemed neither man had a reverse gear, if they did they sure didn’t use it. Through the first nine rounds you couldn’t tell who was ahead on the scorecard, it was a one point either way fight or more accurately put a one point either way war.
Vulnerability is one of the ingredients that make for an exciting fighter and going into the tenth defence was again largely absent, as the pace continued round ten took both men to another place, deep in the trenches to what would become the toughest round to date in both fighters careers. Whatever elements are needed to make a round of boxing spectacular round ten had them all, both fighters badly hurt, multiple knockdowns and a change in momentum you did not believe even though your eyes were assuring you it was happening.
The Infamous round 10
Castillo landed three jabs to the head and one to the body, Corrales came back with a right to the body but Castillo quickly countered with a perfect left hook which found its target, sending Corrales to the canvas. Chico rolled over lost his mouthpiece but found his feet to beat the count of referee Tony Weeks. Corrales gained precious seconds while waiting on trainer Joe Goosen rinse and replaced the mouthpiece, despite those valuable seconds Corrales was in trouble again, sensing the end Castillo moved in unloading on the still dazed Corrales and with 2:05 on the clock Corrales body seemed to have no resistance to gravity and he once again found himself on the canvas, again parting with his mouthpiece this time more obvious and blatant. Watch the round
At this point no one would blame you for thinking the bout was over Corrales looked as done a fighter as I have ever seen with his face grossly swollen.
After Corrales again beat the count referee Tony Weeks called a timeout to deduct a point from Chico along with more time to rinse the mouthpiece, in all 20 valuable seconds were gained. The fight resumed, Castillo scored with a left, Corrales fighting of the ropes landed a beautiful right cross which kept him in the fight, foggy headed Castillo fell into a clinch, once separated they charged straight back at each other and Corrales landed a sizzling left hook that backed up the Mexican, both traded huge shots but Corrales dominated the exchange with a crushing right followed by a left hook which turned the Champions head sending him back towards the ropes looking unsteady on his feet, it didn’t seem possible only a minute earlier the fight looked over but the battle hardened Corrales looked on top and the Champion was in huge trouble.
With no defence and no counters coming back Corrales unloaded upon the Mexican, the referee moved in closer to observe, a left arose Castillo’s head followed by a right to the jaw the Mexicans head began to sag forward directly into the path of a left hook that snapped his head back, with a cut above his left eye and his eyes rolling the Champion was out on his feet prompting the referee to jump in calling a halt to proceedings at the 2:05 mark of round ten.
The fight would go on to cause much debate and controversy regarding the two mouthpiece incidents and the seconds Corrales gained. So much happened so quick it didn’t seem real, I myself was on the edge of my seat for nine rounds and the whole of round ten. If you didn’t fall in love with the sport after witnessing this slugfest then chances are you never will, this was a perfect advertisement to lure fans to the sweet science. A mention must be made to referee Tony Weeks who done an excellent job, being familiar with both men he knew to let the fight continue were in other cases it would have been stopped, when he finally did jump in to call a halt it was correct decision as Castillo was out on his feet. This was more than a fight it was an epic encounter that will live forever in the minds of those who were witness. And will grow to epic propotion with each re-telling.
Jose Luis Castillo remains active today, and was sparring with Pound for Pound champion Manny Pacquiao on the lead up to his showdown with Miguel Cotto. Sadly Diego "chico" Corales died exactly two years to the day of his epic battle with Castillo. Corrales died on May 7, 2007 of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, Nevada.
