Tales
from the Tape: Castillo-Casamayor and The Ring 135-pound title
Mark E. Ortega
Ultimateboxingresults.com
February 25, 2009
With
this Saturday being the highly anticipated clash between Juan Manuel
Marquez and Juan Diaz for Marquez’ Ring Magazine 135-pound title
(and now the WBA and WBO titles as well), I thought it would be an
excellent chance to take a look back at a card featuring another
fight for the 135-pound world title from a few years back between
champion Jose Luis Castillo and Joel Casamayor. With Nate Campbell
moving up to 140-pounds after failing to make weight a few weekends
ago against Ali Funeka and Manny Pacquiao set to fight Ricky Hatton
for the 140-pound world title, Marquez-Diaz has become a bout between
the clearly two best fighters in the entire division.
Similarly,
when Floyd Mayweather, Jr. moved up from lightweight in 2004, it made
Jose Luis Castillo’s bout with Juan Lazcano not only for the vacant
WBC 135-pound title, but for the vacant Ring Magazine title as well
as Castillo and Lazcano were recognized as the #1 and #2 fighters in
the division. Castillo won a close decision in a memorable fight,
making him the recognized #1 fighter in the division. At the same
time, Diego Corrales and Joel Casamayor, fresh off their rematch that
saw Corrales awarded with a split decision victory, were both making
the move to 135-pounds instantly making it one of the hottest
divisions in the sport. A string of title would go off one after
another between the likes of Casamayor, Castillo, Corrales, Acelino
Freitas, and Julio Diaz. Add to that the emergence of the young and
exciting Juan Diaz and you had a lot of excitement being generated in
one of the premiere weight classes.
