What Round by Round?: Corrales Stops Castillo in Ten!
WHAT A FIGHT! I was going to provide a round by round account but, there is really no point. Here is the way every round went. Castillo and Corrales stood in the center of the ring, traded heavy leather, and both hurt each other throughout the fight. There are about five different rounds that could be “round of the year” candidates as both fighters hurt each other, and just when it looked like one was out, that fighter would come back to close hard. The tenth and final round was amazing. Corrales’ left eye was swollen shut, and Jose Luis really started to come on at the beginning of that round. Castillo landed a vicious left hook which put Diego down for the count. Corrales showed some savvy ring experience by spitting his mouthpiece out to buy some time. Corrales got an extra half minute’s respite. “El Temible” continued the assault, and put Corrales down for a second time in the round, courtesy of another left hook to the head. once again, “Chico” spit his mouthpiece out to buy some time. Referee Tony Weeks took a point from Corrales. When “Chico” went back to the corner to get his mouthpiece back, trainer Joe Goossen told his charge, “now, you better get fucking inside and do something!” Corrales came out, with over one minute and fifty seconds left, and did exactly what he was told. Diego, in desperation, started winging hooks, one of which caught Castillo flush, and hurt him. Jose Luis walked back to the ropes, only to be raked by hard left hooks, and straight right hands. Castillo was severely hurt, and the referee stepped in to stop the fight. WHAT A FIGHT!
There were several boo’s raining down as fans felt that the fight was stopped prematurely. In this writer’s humble opinion, the fight was stopped prematurely, but I can see Tony Weeks’ thinking. Castillo was seriously hurt, but deserved to get the benefit of the doubt, as Weeks could have stopped the fight after “Chico’s” second knockdown, because Corrales was seriously hurt, and could barely walk. Still, Corrales earned this victory and showed that he is a true warrior. If you missed this fight, you should get a tape or DVD of it, because IT’S WORTH IT! Fight fans, our sport is alive and well. The only thing I can say is, BRING ON THE REMATCH!!!! FIGHT OF THE YEAR!
Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com