SaddoBoxing Writer’s Predict: Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo.

Despite respective losses, make no mistake that these are indeed the two finest lightweight fighters in the world. You want proof of pedigree? Castillo forged his iron will and resistance in hard years of tutelage, not at the thoughtful and guiding hand of a master,

but at the lethal fists of one: the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez. Corrales’ record, littered with world class opposition, shows only two fighters survived him, and did so against his strongest pleadings. Corrales’ trainer stopped him against Floyd Mayweather and ringside physician Dr. Margaret Goodman stopped him against Joel Casamayor, a defeat later avenged. Corrales literally begged to continue, and his hunger to risk all for glory is as believable as any fighter I have ever seen. Talk about tough; he thinks the fight with Castillo will be fun! A classic confrontation virtually assured, whoever emerges victorious shall find rest a fleeting luxury, as Erik Morales approaches, bringing fire and fury with him. Do not trouble yourself too much with settling upon a firm conviction, as these two on merit alone defy us to choose between them. First, take a moment to see what the SaddoBoxing.com writers have to say.

James MacDonald: I think Castillo will grind out a unanimous decision against Corrales, as I feel he has the chin to take “Chico’s” power and has a higher work-rate. Where Corrales will stalk, Castillo will outwork him on the inside and I feel that will be the determining factor.

Matt Cotterell: I’m picking Corrales to take a slim decision over Castillo. In much the same way that Joe Goossen masterminded Corrales victory over Casamayor, I think he will do the same with Castillo whom he opposed when seconding Juan Lazcano. Corrales has been a frequent visitor to the canvas, but at 135-pounds, he appears to be a much stronger fighter; his ability to stand up to Acelino Freitas’s bombs is a testament to that, he could prove to be stronger still in his second outing at the weight. Castillo won’t wilt like Freitas, he will come on strong in the second half, but there I think he will find Corrales willing to meet him head on and duke it out. I think points already in the bank and a newfound strength at lightweight will see Corrales home.

Jim Cawkwell: This fight will erupt into an absolute classic to eclipse just about anything else that preceded it or that might happen in the rest of the year. I think that Corrales’ power is the more telling of the two and I believe that he will inflict enough damage upon Castillo to force a stoppage on cuts in the late rounds.

William Wolfrum: As if on cue, the world of boxing is trying to repay its fans. After forcing us to experience the nightmare match-up of Toney-Ruiz, the stars have realigned to set boxing’s Karma straight again by giving us Corrales against Castillo. Just as Toney-Ruiz was a tough fight to predict, so is this one, but for wholly different reasons. By looking at Floyd Mayweather Jr. as a common opponent, one would have to go with Castillo. Of course, common opponents are usually meaningless in predicting a fight, which is why the pick here is Corrales. “Chico” has turned things around and is fighting with pre-Mayweather confidence, but also with the knowledge of what can happen if he’s unprepared. As for Castillo, it’s hard for me to pick someone based mostly on two losses, regardless of who they were to. This, however, can be assured: there is no way Castillo will pull a Freitas and quit on Corrales. If Chico is going to get the win, he’ll have to earn it. And he will. The pick here: Corrales by a hard-fought, close yet clear-cut unanimous decision in a fight-of-the-year candidate.

Katrina Walters: I give the fight to Diego. I like him, he’s been around for a while and he knows he has to get out there and be impressive. Corrales for the win in eight rounds!

Don Caputo: Both big hitters. Both like to go to war. Both retain their power into the late rounds. Is there anything that will separate these two? Well, I think I would have to rate Corrales’ punching power as more explosive, so an early round blitz is not out of the question as Castillo will be walking on to his punches to try and land his own. But, the chin of Corrales is clearly more dent-able and if the fight goes into the mid-to-late rounds I can envisage Castillo’s bombs wobbling Corrales’ legs and eventually dropping him for the count. But when a puncher (Corrales) fights a swarmer, (Castillo) my money is always on the puncher, as he will always be coming forwards and he will always be in range. Corrales by TKO in three rounds.

Lee Bellfield: A fascinating and welcome fight in the lightweight division. This is a fight in my opinion that will go the distance. I think Corrales will start the faster but Castillo will come on down the stretch. Castillo has been the more active in the last year with last August being the last start for Corrales. Castillo by unanimous decision. On the under-card, Juan Manuel Marquez is recognized as the number one featherweight in the world. Victor Polo is a credible challenger but the champion is looking towards bigger fights. Marquez by decision. The unnecessary and inconvenient mandatory defense here. In more of the weekend’s action, Joe Calzaghe as we know blew Mario Veit away four years ago but Veit is likely to be an improved fighter with the advantage of a hometown crowd. I have this awful nightmare that Veit will take a hometown decision but bearing in mind the result of the first bout and a bout against Jeff Lacy as incentive, Calzaghe will once again stop his opponent.

Greig Johnston: Diego Corrales was my fighter of the year last year, and I think he’s going to keep his run going. It will be a hell of a fight for him though, Castillo is teak tough, knows every trick in the book, and has a chin to rival Marvin Hagler. But never question Chico’s heart. There is ZERO quit in Corrales. Chico by a wafer thin unanimous decision in the match-up of the year.

Sergio Martinez: What a fight we have this weekend fans. I can’t wait! Jose Luis “El Temible” Castillo vs. Diego “Chico” Corrales is sure to be a great one that will be talked about for years to come. I see Corrales coming out fast, wanting to set a brisk pace because his team, in particular Joe Goossen, feels that Castillo may be a little burned out, due to back-to-back to back fights against top opposition. “Chico” will have some early success sticking that long jab out and releasing combinations. “El Temible” will release his own very underrated and consistent jab in order to get inside and work Diego’s tall slender body over. With each passing round, Corrales will start to tire from that body attack, and have to engage the Mexican in the middle of the ring. This will be the beginning of the end for “Chico.” Castillo will keep the pressure on him all night, work him over late in the fight, and stop Corrales in the eleventh or twelfth round. WHAT A FIGHT! There’s my two cents fight fans. Enjoy the fight.

Edwin Gonzalez: There is no denying that “Chico” had a remarkable year in the ring. He lost a thriller to the Cuban southpaw Joel Casamayor, then came back to tough out an impressive win in their rematch. And who can also forget his dominance over Acelino Freitas, where Freitas reminded us all of Robert Duran, “NO MAS!!” “Chico” claims he is the best lightweight in the world, but that comes at no small price. Matched up against the Julio Cesar Chavez protege, Jose Luis Castillo has been on a tear since losing to Floyd Mayweather. Jose Luis Castillo epitomizes the definition of the word warrior. He is rough and rugged and lives to trade on the inside. Although he has never been down in his career, I suspect that streak ends tonight. Although I feel that Castillo’s struggling with boxers is a huge myth; just look at what he did to Casamayor and then Julio Diaz. He took both of these guys off their game. With “Chico” it will be different, he is patient and executes terrific discipline. “Chico” is very comfortable on the outside, meanwhile Castillo by law has to fight on the inside. Trust me when I tell you, take “Chico” in eleven rounds. He will knock Castillo out. Diego Corrales has nyquil in his gloves and will puit Jose Luis to sleep. This is sure to be one for the ages, these are two speeding trains coming into a head on collision. Good night and thank you, enjoy the fight!

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk