Hatton Finishes Castillo In Four
By Frank Gonzalez Jr. - June 23rd, 2007 - Saturday night in Las Vegas, Ricky Hatton (43-0, 31 KO’s) entered the ring at the Thomas and Mack Center wearing a blue Mexican Sombrero; to face one of Mexico’s highly rated, former Champions, Jose Luis Castillo (55-8-1, 47 KO’s).
Castillo is best remembered for his two fights against another fan favorite, (and now legendary) Diego Corrales, who was lost to us all after a motorcycle accident took him recently. Castillo also fought Floyd Mayweather twice, beating him the first time but losing the decision, then choking in the rematch, where Floyd dominated him. Guys like Castillo and Corrales were well regarded because they took chances in the ring. They come to fight. They showed big heart in tough matches.
Whether they won or lost, fans got their moneys worth. If you like the drama, the theater of the unexpected that boxing should be, these are names you can at least expect to live up to the hype.
The veteran Castillo has fought 68 professional fights compared to Hatton’s 43. Both guys had some stellar moments in their careers and it’s not a stretch to say that Castillo, at 33 years old, is past his best days. Still, Castillo is known for being one of the toughest hombres in the sport. That he didn’t get up after being downed in the fourth round surprised many of
us. Times are changing.
The Fight:
Hatton applied relentless pressure from the opening bell, hitting and then holding long enough to minimize Castillo’s returns and constantly force Castillo to reset. In the first round, Hatton landed a shot that saw Castillo’s body go to the canvas. It was ruled a slip but it sure looked like the result of a punch. The action continued and Castillo managed to land a few shots but it was Hatton who was landing cleaner, more effective, punches. Ricky was too fast for Castillo, whose best chances were on the inside, where he could attack the body. But even on that front, Hatton didn the better work.
In the second round, Castillo was finding Hatton with some pretty good shots. Hatton looked stronger though and continued to rush into Jose Luis with pressure. Hatton was throwing two punch combinations and then holding. It was working. Castillo was losing the rounds because Hatton was dictating the pace and always landing the cleaner punches.
The third round was intense with both guys landing some good shots. The ref warned Castillo about punching low. Whenever Castillo landed a good shot, Hatton came back with something exceedingly dramatic. Ricky’s fast hands and aggressiveness proved the correct strategy against the former 135-pound Champion.
In the fourth round, both guys rushed to engage at the center of the ring. Referee Joe Cortez took a point from Castillo for a low punch. There was a light warning in the previous round but no firm warnings prior to the point deduction. I thought it was a questionable call from, “Fair but Firm” Joe Cortez. It mattered not though as Hatton managed to land a left hook around Castillo’s guard to the body, a punishing left hook to the liver that saw Castillo go down to a knee and surprisingly, remain down as Cortez counted him out.
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It was a good performance by Hatton but a poor performance by Castillo, whose history would suggest, could have continued but choose not to do so. I don’t know what was in his head at the moment or how badly the body shot hurt. Maybe Castillo felt it was enough to have earned his payday, which according the pre fight gossip, will quickly be issued to places outside J.C. Castillo’s bank account.
It was a good fight because it was intense, if only for four rounds. Hatton’s two best remembered performances were against former champions at the end of their careers. Kostya Tszyu and now, J.C. Castillo.
I’d like to see Hatton fight an unbeaten guy in his prime. A fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be an exciting match up but somehow, I doubt it will happen, unless Hatton shows that he’s past his best days after his next fight. During the post fight interview, Hatton, sporting a Ricky Fatton T-shirt, said that his four rounds against Castillo was more exciting than all the rounds Floyd Mayweather Jr. has put together in his career. Floyd may be a master boxer but his fights are rarely exciting to watch.
For all the talk of being the ‘greatest pound for pound in boxing,’ Floyd Mayweather Jr. has only fought one undefeated fighter of in his pro career and that was six years ago (in 2001) against Diego Corrales, who was 33-0, at that time. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has not beaten any other top ranked fighters who were undefeated.
The only undefeated fighter Hatton has faced was Juan Urango, who was 17-0, last January when they fought. With that in mind, Floyd vs. Hatton could be billed as, “The Battle of the Unbeatens.” Why don’t the boxing Czars match Hatton against Mayweather Jr.? Of course, there’d be many prohibitive factors like money, venue, weight, scheduling and other items that have zero
to do with any kind of legit ranking system.
Boxing feels like an exhibition sport, fully packaged by the promoters. There is no legitimate ranking system. Big name bouts are usually between a guy on his way up and a guy on his way out. Thoughtful fans have to wonder why the best fighters do not fight each other with the intent of establishing true Champions…one in each division.
Jose Luis Castillo has had trouble making weight lately and is clearly past his prime. At 33 years old, after being in so many wars, in boxing years, he’s old. This fight may salvage his personal financial problems for the moment, but it did nothing to suggest that Castillo is a top ten fighter anymore.
Why aren’t Ricky Hatton’s handlers chasing the Titles to unify? Why not go after WBC Champ, Junior Witter or IBF Champ, Lovemore N’Dou? What about Souleymane M’Baye, the WBA Champ or even WBO Champ, Ricardo Torres? But the money is probably more alluring at 147-pounds, where Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Kermit Cintron are the guys to beat.
Hatton is probably better off staying at 140; he’s a bit too small for Welterweight, as demonstrated in his debut against Luis Collazo. Hatton escaped that fight with a decision win that was questionable to many and wisely went back down to 140 afterwards.
Too often, boxing fails to provide entertaining fights on a regular basis because, thought the fights are not exactly fixed, they are very much arranged. Upsets do happen, but most times, we all know who’s going to win—the favorite. Too often, the big name fighters are matched up against guys they’re supposed to beat instead of guys likely to beat them. As a fan, I feel that the lack of legit rankings determining who fights who is killing boxing.
Recently, ‘past his prime,’ Zab Judah, fought and lost to ‘in his prime,’ Miguel Cotto in the 147-pound division. It was a battle that was entertaining to watch and the kind of fight that keeps boxing alive. Many are calling it the “fight on the year” but really, it was the same predictable type of match making. Cotto was supposed to win over Judah, who hasn’t won a fight in two years. Hatton was supposed to win over aging warhorse Castillo, and he did.
Congratulations to Ricky Hatton for adding another big name to his unbeaten resume. Thanks also to Jose Luis Castillo for being the big name guy to lend some legitimacy to it all.
The Hitman KO's Castillo With Body Shot In Round Four!
 By James Slater: Tonight, at The Thomas and Mack Centre, Las Vegas, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton retained his position as the world's number one light-welterweight with a devastating fourth round KO over Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo. A wicked left hand to the body ended things in quite shocking fashion in round number four. The lightly regarded IBO world title was on the line, and Ricky retained it.
Of more note, though, was the twenty eight year old's retention of Ring magazine's 140 pound belt. Without a doubt, Ricky solidified his position atop all things junior-welterweight with a win that was his best since stopping all-time great Kostya Tszyu back in 2005 - if not THE best of his career to date, period.
The punch that brought the fight to a close at two minutes and sixteen seconds was, quite simply, perfect. There can be no criticism of the tough kid from the streets of Manchester this time.
Though many, myself included, gave Ricky some stick after his less than impressive performances in his last two fights - with Luis Collazo and Juan Urango - there can be no complaints after tonight's fight. In an earlier (much attacked) article of mine I wrote how Ricky needed a first-rate fan-friendly type of performance against the thirty-three year old Castillo. I also stated how if he gave one he would prove my article - that was concerned with Hatton becoming a boring type of fighter - to be false. I can hold my hands up and admit that, yes, I was wrong, and Hatton did indeed make me out a liar with his great display in Vegas tonight. I also wrote, however, the fact that I'd be pleased if Ricky did just this - and indeed, I am glad "The Hitman" is now right back on top of his game.
The action came thick and fast right from the outset. Hatton, who had been led into the ring by both Marco Antonio Barrera and Manchester United football star Wayne Rooney, went to work straight away. While Castillo, who had been accompanied in his ring walk by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Jorge Arce met him at ring centre.
There was a stumble from Jose seconds into the opener and then the inside work from both men set in. There were some good right hand uppercuts to the chin by Ricky, as well as a fine right hand to the chin by his challenger. To be fair, Hatton was guilty of hitting and holding somewhat, but there was nothing boring or negative about his display tonight. I put round number one firmly in "The Hitman's" column.
In round two, Hatton was looking to work on the inside yet again. He was using his strength and testing the bigger looking Castillo's.
There were good shots by both men, but the twenty-eight year old was definitely quicker than his five years older opponent. Ricky leant on and went to work, both to body and head, and certainly landed more punches for a second round. The fight had the look of a gruelling affair already, though. Two to nothing for the champion for me.
In the third, the best round of the fight action-wise, Hatton scored with bursts before tying his man up. A decent left to the body-right hand to the head combo scored for the man from Mexico, before a warning was given to him by ref Joe Cortez for a low blow. Some good uppercuts upstairs landed for Castillo, as well as a good dig to Hatton's body. Jose finished the round both landing with a long left hand to the head, as well as taking a left back from Ricky. I scored this one even, and the action was starting to really heat up.
The pattern continued in the fourth, before the shocking finish. A point was taken from Castillo for another low blow, then, after a brief exchange, a sharp left hook to the midsection caught the warrior from Mexico. Jose spun around, and in slightly delayed fashion, hit the canvas. It was clear he wasn't going to beat the count and amazingly the body puncher had been body punched into oblivion. The shot Ricky hit him with was both perfectly timed and had superb leverage. Arguably his best punch ever, Hatton had made one hell of a statement in Las Vegas. As such, he is once again one of the sport's premiere fighters and attractions. The sky is now the limit from the man from the north of England. Bring on Cotto? Bring on Mayweather? Bring on De La Hoya? Bring on anyone!
Ricky improved to 43-0 (32) while Jose, in what may well be his final fight, fell to 55-8-1 (47).
"The Hitman" is back to doing what he does best. The negatives that were starting to grow have been well and truly erased.
Hatton's Performance Earned Him A Shot At An 'Oscar'?
By Vivek Wallace: After seeing the four round dismantling of Jose Luis Castillo (55-8-1, 47KO's) at the hands of British Phenom Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton (43-0, 31KO's), questions began to immediately surface regarding who Hatton should attempt to face next. Although his 3 fight deal with American Banner Promotions and HBO have expired, it didn't take the answer to that question very long to surface as Ricky Hatton told reporters shortly after the fight that he received a congratulatory call from the 'Goldenboy', Oscar Dela Hoya, who was quoted as telling Hatton that after doing so much in his own career, he'd "love to come to England to fight him".
This move, in a major way showed two very significant things. First and foremost, it showed that even after the lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in arguably the biggest fight in boxing history, Oscar's still the most powerful and influential figure in the sports post "Iron" Mike Tyson era
And secondly it showed us all that even though Floyd Mayweather Jr. is considered the most skilled of this era, the reason that he {Mayweather} hasn't gotten the acclaim synonymous with Oscar Dela Hoya has a great deal to do with the fact that he doesn't jump at the chance to square off against the best in the biz like Oscar does.
Granted, there aren't too many fans out there that appreciates the talent of Mayweather Jr. as a boxer like I do, but keeping to my 'G.E.W.T.W. CREED' , (Given 'Em What They Want - Pronounced JUDO) - (referring to the readers), I'd have to say this is the one flaw in Mayweather's 'game' that keeps him on the outside looking in when it comes to being the 'most-liked' pugilist of this era.
Hatton never did respond to the media in terms of what his thoughts were to Dela Hoya's proposition, but one thing for sure, if he can hash out another deal with HBO and American Banner Promotions soon, you can definitely look for a clash between the two titans. The matchup with Oscar Dela Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was hyped superbly by Floyd who talked enough to make the world wanna see him lose, but in this potential matchup, I'll gladly go on record as saying that it could easily surpass the figures boasted in the Mayweather/Dela Hoya showdown.
How?......Quite simple. You'd have an unbeaten young stallion coming in against a talented, yet very live underdog, who based on style and size could very well do what some see as impossible. Adding to the intrigue, I can see the headline for this one now. Remember, Oscar's huge stature puts him on a global level which is why against Floyd, "The World Awaited". This time around, it could very well be dubbed "World War III" as you would literally pin the largest pugilistic figure of the Eastern Hemisphere (Oscar Dela Hoya), versus the largest pugilistic figure in the Western Hemisphere (Ricky Hatton).
A couple weeks ago after seeing Cotto dismantle Judah most figured the 'Goldenboy' would aim to make that fight (Dela Hoya/Cotto) happen but there's a reason Cotto's phone never rang and some would surmise it probably has alot to do with the fact that from a 'styles-make-fights' notion, Oscar would feel alot more comfy against the smaller man, not one who walks around as heavy as he does between fights. Now, that point brings another interesting question, and perhaps the only one that stands in the way of a Hatton/Dela Hoya showdown. What weight would they collectively agree to do it at since Hatton hasn't looked too dazzling against the welters and Oscar would kill himself trying to get anywhere close, let alone south of the welters?
As we all know, money talks, and if Hatton gets an offer, trust me, he would be more than glad to beef himself up. So......will we see this fight happen? You betcha. And to the delight of boxing fans globally, if this fight does happen, there's something else that would ultimately happen? That something would be addition by subtraction. In the since that this move by Hatton and Dela Hoya would add to the sizzlin' action in the world of boxing by subtracting two of Floyd Mayweather's less popular options, thus leaving him with the opportunity to pick his poison between the only two other true frontrunner's left...Cotto and Mosley. So in response to the possibility of a Dela Hoya/Hatto showdown, I say go ahead Oscar...Do your magic and put together another helluva promotion, sell it, and let's see if boxings Pound 4 Pound Champ dances outside the ring as well as his skeptics (me not included) feel he does inside the ring.
Stay tuned for new developments from the respective fight camps as they happen.
(Got feedback? Write to Vivek Wallace at: vivexemail@yahoo.com or myspace.com/anonymouslyinvolved)
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