Boxing Preview Analysis: Ricky Hatton Vs Jose Luis Castillo

Hatton’s biggest fight for two years? Most certainly. Hattons’ toughest fight in two years? Very possibly. Both are valid questions as Ricky Hatton, 42-0 (30), defends his newly won IBO 140 pound title against veteran Jose Luis Castillo, 55-7-1 (47), at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight, 23 June.

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This is Hatton’s biggest name opponent since that memorable night in Manchester two years ago when he ripped the 140 pound world crown from Australian legend Kostya Tszyu in 11 brutal rounds.

Since then, the Hitman from Manchester has fought three times and has yet to hit the peak he showed on that barmy June night. In November, 2005 in a unification bout, he stopped Carlos Maussa in nine rounds.

The following May, he travelled to Boston to capture the WBA Welterweight crown with a points win over Luis Collazo. After a bright start in which he knocked Collazo down in round one, Hatton laboured to a points decision win. In his last outing five months ago, Hatton once again won on points to win his old IBF 140 pound title against Juan Urango.

In Castillo, he meets a teak tough Mexican with bags of experience. Amazingly, Castillo is still only 33, although he seems to have been around forever. A professional since 1990, the Mexican has twice won the world lightweight title.

In Ring Magazine’s upset of the year in 2000, Castillo captured his first title with a majority decision over outstanding WBC Lightweight Champion Stevie Johnston. Three defences would follow,one of which included a closely fought scrap in a rematch with Johnston ,who he fought to a draw.

Castillo would then run into the outstanding American Floyd Mayweather Jr in April 2002 and although he lost a unanimous decision, he gave “Pretty Boy” his toughest test as a pro.

Castillo would lose a rematch to Mayweather eight months later in a fight the American would be criticised for, for using safety first tactics. Despite two consecutive world title defeats, the Mexican was far from finished.

Castillo would regain the WBC title in June 2004 with a points win over Juan Lazcano and continued his run of good form with successful defences against Joel Casamayor and Julio Diaz.

His following fight in May 2005 would go down as an all time classic. In a unification fight against the late Diego Corrales, both men gave their all in a give and take battle. Castillo looked to have had the fight won in the 10th, flooring Corrales twice before a superhuman effort from “Chico” turned the tables. In a blink of an eye, Castillo was an ex champion.

Castillo would gain his revenge in four rounds in a non title fight and has since won two more bouts. He struggled however in his last bout against Herman Ngoudjo, winning on a split points decision to take the NABF belt.

So there’s many questions leading up to this fight; can Castillo be as effective at 140 pounds against a fully blown light welterweight? Will Hatton’s consistent weight gain between bouts finally catch up with him? Will Hatton’s cuts be a factor? Can this possibly be a contender for fight of the year?

The answer to all these questions are yes. I can envisage a hard, tough grueling fight. Both men are warriors and both men will be in tip top condition come fight time.

Castillo maybe coming to that stage where one more tough fight could finally catch up with him. Hatton himself has been in some wars but I still feel he is the fresher of the two coming into this one. I also don’t buy peoples opinions that Hatton is shot.

I do feel however that the Brit will have to go the distance again, but I believe that Ricky can get the job done, keeping his undefeated record by taking a tough but unanimous decision win.