\”Chico\” is \”The Man!\”

On the day of the Kentucky derby, it is only fitting that two top thoroughbreds in the lightweight division go head to head. The unification bout between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales was everything we expected and then some. Diego Corrales survived two knockdowns in the tenth to TKO Jose Luis Castillo in the same round. With the knock out, “Chico” can now add the WBC title to his already large collection of championship belts. Both fighters stood toe-to-toe from the opening bell in an amazing slugfest. In an unusual chain of events, Corrales fought Castillo’s fight. Much to the surprise of everyone else, Diego was fighting on the inside and at times getting the better end of the exchanges. Jose Luis would eventually go back to his corner with a cut over his left eye after round four. Corrales started to take the initiative in round five, although both fighters continued to connect with huge punches, Castillo would somehow manage to come on strong enough to steal the sixth round. As the story continued to unfold, much to the surprise of everyone again, a left hook wobbled Castillo at the end of round seven. We have all come to know that Castillo has a chin of granite. In fifty-nine professional fights, Jose Luis has never been down.

A Corrales left hook to the jaw caused him to lose his legs underneath him for a little bit. So just imagine how hard “Chico” was swinging, meanwhile, Corrales’ left eye was shutting rapidly. We all knew before hand that Jose Luis Castillo was an extremely tough guy. Pound-for-pound, Castillo might be the toughest in the business. But as the plot thickened, no one ever thought he would have responded to the adversity the way he did. Many people questioned what Jose was going to do whenever he was in there with someone that he couldn’t overpower or match offensively. Well, we all know he answered that question.

As the war continued in the eighth, Castillo was looking very unstable at times. The pace continued to the ninth. In this round, referee Tony Weeks twice warned Castillo for low blows. Heading into the tenth and ultimately final round, Castillo floored Corrales with a vicious left hook. Although on the canvas, Diego was extremely coherent; he did not appear to be hurt badly. He showed a heart of the champion that he is and got up. As the action picked up, Corrales went down yet again from another left hook. While on the canvas, Diego still seemed to be fine. He took his eight count and got up. While taking the count “Chico” spit his mouthpiece out. In an attempt to buy time, referee Tony Weeks deducted a point from Corrales for trying to pull a “fast one.”

Now in what could possibly be a 10-7 or 10-6 round, Diego Corrales had his back against the wall. He was now in the position of needing a knockout to win the fight. With everyone at ringside and at home thinking that the fight was over, “Chico” showed the heart of a lion and somehow put on a miraculous comeback. He came back from the dead to rock Castillo with a ferocious left hook to the side of the head while on the ropes followed by a wicked straight right hand to the face prompting Weeks to stop the fight! Time was 2:06 of the tenth round. Castillo said afterwards that he felt Weeks stopped the bout early and would like a rematch. Corrales said he wanted to prove he was a warrior.

This fight is the “fight of the year” hands down. In my eighteen years of watching boxing, I must say that this is the greatest fight I have ever seen. As a fan and a writer, I think I speak for everyone else when I say this: All we want is for the best to fight the best. You just saw the finishing product of that formula. I am just so proud and honored to have been able to witness such excellence displayed in the squared circle. This truly was a historic night for the “sweet science.” With what those guys did in that ring, they have allowed us to reminisce and tell our children and grandchildren about what a classic Jose Luis Castillo vs. Diego Corrales was. This fight should be in the classic vault already, no questions asked. We should all cherish and savor this one for a very long time. We might not get to see another one like this ever again.

Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales these buds are for you! Thank you for treating us to such excitement. May God bless you both.

Edwin Gonzalez can be reached at prpapa427@aol.com