It’s 1980 and Alexis Arguello is a two-time world champion, already thought to be a future Corridor of Famer, if not an all-time nice. The Nicaraguan is the proud bearer of the WBC junior light-weight championship belt and such is his status that the WBC’s primary contender, Frankie Baltazar, can not settle for the provide of a title shot as a result of supervisor Jackie McCoy gained’t let him inside the identical ring as Arguello. Suffice to say, no larger praise may be paid a reigning champion than high contenders turning down probabilities to struggle him.
So as an alternative of Baltazar, it was Ruben Castillo, a featherweight, who was provided the prospect to battle for Arguello’s title. In contrast to Baltazar, Castillo determined a title shot is a title shot, even when it isn’t in a single’s most well-liked weight class. The match came about in Tucson, Arizona and was carried reside on ABC’s Broad World Of Sports activities. Castillo was undefeated in 45 fights, however he had but to face a very formidable contender. Contemplating the younger Texan was shifting up in weight to problem “El Caballero del Ring,” the bookies made him a strong 5-to-1 underdog. In fact, these odds have been undoubtedly on the beneficiant facet: Arguello was at his peak and Castillo had virtually no likelihood of successful.
However regardless of this, the challenger put up a valiant effort. The group was solidly behind the American and he gave them loads to cheer about within the early and center rounds as he boxed with self-discipline and intelligence, shifting away from Arguello’s energy after which countering with fast punches when the champion left himself open. He confirmed velocity and good hustle whereas Alexis patiently pressured his man, touchdown heavy photographs to the challenger’s ribs and stomach when he had the prospect.
But when Castillo was retaining the match shut, and even successful rounds, Arguello was clearly stronger and extra highly effective. His physique assault was taking its toll and by spherical eight Castillo was operating out of solutions, to not point out stamina. Within the tenth the fighter they referred to as “The Explosive Skinny Man” punished the challenger with energy photographs to each head and physique and in spherical eleven a left hook to the liver put Castillo on the canvas. Clearly in agony, he bravely bought to his toes however the referee correctly stopped the struggle, giving Arguello his thirteenth championship win.
“[Castillo] fought an excellent struggle,” stated Arguello afterwards. “He knew what to do on the market. He boxed me very properly. However I knew I might start to harm him and gradual him down. I’ve plenty of respect for Ruben. He has nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I believed I used to be doing very properly,” stated Castillo. “I used to be stunned at how robust he was. A lot stronger than I believed. I didn’t need this struggle however the cash was too good to show down. Any longer, I’m solely going to struggle as a featherweight.”
The challenger boxed with braveness and ability, however he was within the ring with a main Alexis Arguello and one thing extra was required to defeat this future legend. Very quickly “The Explosive Skinny Man” would transfer as much as the light-weight division to turn out to be solely the sixth man in boxing historical past to win three divisional world titles. And solely the superior offensive drive that was Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, in an all-time nice battle, might cease him from successful a fourth.
In the meantime Castillo’s recreation effort earned him one other likelihood at championship glory, simply three months later, and this time at featherweight, however as soon as once more Castillo discovered himself confronting a real ring nice. The Mexican virtuoso who would later turn out to be a legend, the one-and-only Salvador Sanchez, was within the reverse nook this time, and whereas Castillo was once more aggressive and lasted the total 15 rounds, the shut resolution went to “Chava.” — Robert Portis
