02.06.06 – Photos: TOM CASINO / SHOWTIME – Three of the four talented boxers who will appear Saturday on SHOWTIME (left to right) — Vic Darchinyan, Diego Corrales and Luis Maldonado pose after Thursday’s final press conference at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, In the main event Saturday on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), Corrales will defend his WBC lightweight title against former two-time WBC 135-pound champion Jose Luis Castillo in the rubber match of their classic fight series. In Saturday’s co-feature, Darchinyan defends his IBF belt against Luis Maldonado in a battle of unbeaten flyweights.
Castillo, who did not pose after the press conference, is pictured with the same trophy presented to Corrales on behalf of the Boxing Writers Association of America for the “2005 Fight of the Year..
DIEGO CORRALES (40-3, 33 KOs)
“I am usually a low-key guy at press conferences and the talk doesn’t get to me, but Castillo made me mad with his comments that he was ‘going to knock me out.’ The guy has a lot of nerve. Before he does any talking, even says a word, he needs to make the weight. Let him make the weight and then he can say what he wants. Until then, he should be quiet.
“I am going to box Castillo’s brains out. I am still willing to go have a cocktail with him afterward, but first I am going to give him a thorough butt-kicking. He is the one who’ll go home with a loss, not me. He knows what is in front of him. He has known it since the first fight. He better keep moving. I don’t think we can make a bad fight, not after what we have gone through in our first two.’’
JOSE LUIS CASTILLO (54-7-1, 47 KOs)
“I can’t wait to make the weight Friday, so I can beat him Saturday. I am sick and tired of talking about weight. The trilogy has been good for boxing, but this a business and I am contractually obligated to fight. I love to give the fans what they want and I hope to continue that, but I have looking at moving up to 140 for a long time.
“Everyone knows my style. I come to fight. It is up to Corrales on what kind of fight it is. The fans will get another great fight if he comes to battle. If he comes to run, then the fans will have to see.
“Whatever way it goes, my prediction is I will knock him out, inside of six rounds. I really feel good and look forward to both Friday and Saturday. Thanks to everyone involved for making this all happen.’’
VIC DARCHINYAN (25-0, 20 KOs)
“I feel I am the strongest puncher in my division, and the most powerful puncher pound-for-pound in boxing. If anyone hits harder than me, I’d like to know his name. As always, I look forward to showing the world my power, and my style.
“I hope Maldonado is in good shape. I have seen his tapes. He is a come-forward type which, of course, is the kind of fighter I like to fight. If he comes to fight, we will have a good fight. If he tries to keep away, it may last a few rounds longer.
“Either way, I will win by knockout.’’
LUIS MALDONADO (33-0-1, 25 KOs)
“I have waited a long, long time to fight for a world title. I was No. 1 in the WBC for, I think, three years and never got the chance. So, yes, I am excited about the opportunity.
“I am in tremendous shape. I know Darchinyan is a good puncher, so I am going to try to make him work for everything, It is important I do what I want to do, and not let him dictate the pace.
“This is a dream come true for me. If I fight smart, I know I can become world champion.’’
“Diego “Chico’’ Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo are signed, sealed and ready to deliver once again LIVE on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 3 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). The world’s most talented and courageous lightweights will collide in their eagerly awaited rubber match for Corrales’ WBC title at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a match-up of unbeaten flyweights in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature, IBF/IBO champ Vic ,will defend against IBF No. 8 contender Luis Maldonado. The doubleheader will be co-promoted by Top Rank, Inc., and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas.