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Just another one of Wacko's Drunken Round by Rounds! Hatton vs Castillo!!!
Once again my bwoyo's it's on.
This weekend Wacko's Drunken Round by Round is comin atcha live from the lavish interiors of Wacko's Drunken Boxing Theatre as we tune in to another telecast of HBO's World Championship Boxing.
On Saturday, June 23 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada; fan favorite & former IBF junior welterweight champion & current WBA welterweight titleholder Ricky Hatton (42 wins with 30 ko's) will go toe to toe against former two time WBC lightweight kingpin Jose Luis Castillo (63 fights, 55 wins with 47 ko's, 7 losses, & 1 draw) in a 140lb showdown starting at 10:00 p.m.
Depending upon which side of the pond you swim...many quetsions have arisen regarding Hatton over the last few years, especially since many feel his opposition has been on the slide after he forced highly regarded champion Kostya Tszyu to quit on his tool in the 11th round of their championship fire fight.
Although one must admit that Hatton followed up his pummelling of Tszyu in spectacular fashion by knocking out the WBA 140 pound titlist Carlos Maussa inside of nine rounds.
Hatton won in the same bullish & relentless fashion that he pulled against Kostya, as Maussa was pressured backwards for the entire fight unil Hatton cornered Maussa and blasted him with a left hook to the head that sent him crumbling to the canvas. Hatton's place had finally been solidified in the ranks of the 140lb division. The fan's were speechless.
So what does Hatton do next?
What any sensible champion would do...he moves up. What was expected to be another walk in the park for the young Manchester brawler turned out to be a bit of a shock. Hatton came out strong & scored an early knockdown but had his hands full with Brooklyn southpaw Luis Collazo for the reast of the night. While Hatton did score a hard fought 12 round unanimous decision over the WBA welterweight champion...most fans & critics cried foul. The fight was toe to toe for the duration & Hatton was even stunned late in the game.
Hatton was scorned for his performance & was even raked across the coals later for offering a rematch that he would never grant as he bolted down to his prior place of 140lbs.
The next challenge that Hatton would take was a match against the heavy handed IBF champion Juan Urango. Again, Hatton would run the clock to the last of the 12 rounds & bring forth another disappointing but winning decision. While Hatton won all the match there were many rounds that he seemed to be a bit lethargic...almost as if he weren't there heart, mind, body, & soul. Urango checked Hatton's gut & chin several times & instead of Hatton coming alive as usual...he seemed to shell up & back pedal from corner to corner...& that my friends is not Ricky Hatton behavior. Many of Hatton's supporters align this showing with the fact that Hatton was dropping down in weight...thus the terrible performance.
Maybe...maybe not. One thing's for sure...Hatton's going to have to be on his best behavior against the banger Castillo.
That being said...Castillo has been in some hellacious ring wars over the last few years. Especially his bouts against Corrales, Mayweather, Casamayor, & Ngoudjo to name only a few. It's starting to become apparent that Castillo has seen better days & the word veteran is a lable waiting to be stamped alongside his name.
Quite possibley, Hatton has come to match wills with Castillo at just the right time as the aging champ seems to be showing his ring wear more & more with each bout.
What keeps popping into my noggin concerning this match up is the difference in size of the two. Sure they are the same weight & what not...but Castillo will likely have an advantage due to his height & reach...but the question remains...will he be able to establish it against the bullish Hatton?
While Corrales was somewhat effective on the inside against Castillo...he was also a bit lucky. Hatton's a great banger in close tight quarters...but Castillo's jab might keep him from coming in close & if he is able to get in range...it aint like Castillo is some feather fisted peach that has no clue what to do in a slugging match. This could very well turn into the Fight of the Year...but it all depends on what both men have left in the tank.
Both Hatton & Castillo have produced some shreik fests lately & both have been too close for comfort on some questionable decisions.
Although Castillo has defeated some really skilled game combatants...he did it at an early stage & a seemingly fresher point in his career. Besting names like Diaz, Casamayor, Lazcano, and Johnston is a healthy resume to fill...but again...those were different days when Castillo was less scrutinezed & more highly regarded. No one will ever forget Castillo's wars against the late great Corrales for the WBC & WBO lightweight titles & the same will be said if Castillo can dig deep enough to batter Hatton, who is either as much or more respected than Corrales...may he rest in peace.
Both Castillo & Hatton have both dealt & taken their fare share of punishment in the range of 140lbs...but lately each of them seems to have hit a peak or slide in their careers...this weekend will answer all questions if one is even the slightest bit off track.
That being said...I'd like to toss out what I have so fondly dubbed as the Wackster's Factors of the Fight...let's begin shall we.
Factors for & against Hatton:
Factor #1: Power. Honestly...this is a factor that I will have to say goes to Castillo. While Hatton has, in the past, pulled some impressive knockouts in his career...I truly believe that those days might just be a thing of the past. It seems that the constant weight gain that Hatton plays with himself may have finally taken it's toll. The pints & the move up to welter may have compounded on each other to weaken Hatton's punch as well as his spirits. While he does seem to still be able to run the course of 12 rounds...he hasn't produced much excitement in his last three matches & has even been wobbled by some fairly light fisted or inexperienced talent. I aint writing off a TKO...but I'd lean more towards a hard fought decision for Hatton.
Factor #2: Chin. Hatton's got one hell of a noggin. Having never been stopped in 40 some odd fights...I say that this one goes to Hatton in a drop.
Factor #3: Heart. Again...Hatton's favor here too. While I do question his abilities of late...it's hard to question Hatton's heart...more so his drive. I believe that Hatton will rise to the occassion this go around as I do feel that some of his problems have been in the fact that he hasn't garnered the matches or respect that he has wanted in the past. This may be Hatton's finest hour...or it could be his worst. I bank on the first & say that Hatton has the heart to take this one the distance...as long as I aint wrong on Factor #2.
Factor #4: Speed. While I feel that Hatton's no technical wizard...I do believe that he's fast & can put his power into his body work which will be what he needs to slow down Castillo, whom I say is as forceful as Hatton is fast.
Factor #5: Bodywork. This is what Hatton will need to make the dent in this match up. If Hatton can get past Castillo's jab & counter the left hook he can unload his salvo to Castillo's rib cage & pretty much negate Castillo's left hook up top. Hatton's reach is either 4" or 5" short of Castillo's...if he does find a way to climb that...he'll be able to go upstairs & most likely stop Castillo...but he's got to get inside & make those hands to drop...so it'll take body work & then some headshots to end this one. He's got to erase Castillo's jab/left hook combo.
Factor (Honorable mention) #6: Age. Hands down Hatton has this one in the bag. He's young in the ring & out. One has to hope & pray that Castillo has seen too many wars...which I believe that he has.
Factors for & against Castillo:
Factor #1: Power. Castillo's favor hands down. Castillo is brutal up & down from side to side. They don't call him "El Temible" for nothing. Castillo is ranked #1 by the WBC & Ring Magazine at 140lbs. He's a former two time WBC lightweight world champion with five successful defenses...I'd say that makes him somone worthy of fear, as his nickname states. His power is what got him to where he is today...just as Hatton's has his. I truly believe that if Hatton can't negate the left hook of Castillo...he's fwocked!
Factor #2: Age. Surely this one is otally against Castillo. While Hatton is only 28 years old, Castillo is 33...& an old 33 at that. In Wacko's Opinion...he's been in one to many wars for an on point Hatton. Castillo will need to come in hard like he did against Corrales in the first 6 rounds of the first fight...if not...Hatton bulls through him early.
Factor #3: Heart & chin to match! Castillo has heart...no doubt & his chin seems to be as sturdy as his will to survive. It's hard to see Hatton stopping Castillo with just one punch...but if Hatton can unload & Castillo folds...it'll be nighty night for the Mexican mauler.
Factor #4: Endurance. Castillo's a work horse by trade...& he's proven to be durable...very durable...but Hatton is Hatton & if Castillo is but a pinch off...Hatton will again bull through the man in front of him. I don't expect Castillo to gas or wear out early...but the late rounds should be interesting.
Factor #5: Body work, speed, & technique. Hatton is known as one of the best body bangers of his division...but Castillo is no slouch. I think that it's pretty close on the body work...with Hatton just inching a bit. Speed & technique...Hatton get's the speed factor & Castillo the technique. Castillo is very accurate in close & his size will make it more difficult for Hatton to move around the ring as he usually does.
I have to say that this is a close call & all of these factors could be flushed down the crapper swirly style if both men don't come in focused.
As far as my prediction goes...I have to go for a draw...either that or a bullshit decision.
I'm just too undecided over both...& honestly...I aint a fan of either man...but my interests are peaked.
That being said...let's get this party started.
The poll is above in anticipation of the up & coming bout...& as always...come fight night I encourage you to pour up your favorite poison of choice, pop a top on the ole' brewski's & toss the remotes...it's fight night & yet another installment of Wacko's Drunken Round by Round.
Cheers bitches...oh yeah...& koneecheewah.
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Originally Posted by El Gamo
Agreed. Age will be a GARGANTUAN sized factor against Castillo.
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