WBC DECLARES THREE DAYS OF MOURING FOR BANTAMWEIGHT GREAT JESUS ?CHUCHO? CASTILLO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 Jan 2013
Castillo.
The World Boxing Council headed by its president Don Jose Sulaiman has declared three days of mourning for the great bantamweight champion Jesus ?Chucho? Castillo of Mexico who passed away at the age of 68 on Tuesday.
Castillo passed away due to complications from gastric surgery that he underwent several days ago.
A former world WBC and WBA bantamweight champion Castillo is best remembered for his trilogy with countryman Ruben Olivares at the famed Forum in Inglewood, California in the early 1970s.
After winning the Mexican bantamweight title by defeating Jose Medel Castillo dropped a 15 round decision in a title battle with Olivares on April 18, 1970 but regained the crown with a 14th round TKO over Olivares also at the Forum on October 16 1970 handing Olivares his first defeat in 62 bouts in a fight promoted by the famous George Parnassus, a good friend of the late Lope ?Papa? Sarreal, father in law of world junior lightweight champion Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde...
However, Castillo dropped a 15 round unanimous decision in their third meeting on April 2, 1971.
In another memorable title fight Castillo lost a 15 round split decision to Australian world champion Lionel Rose at the Forum on December 6, 1968 resulting in a major riot where fires were set, debris hurled into the ring while cars were overturned in the parking lot in a close fight where Rose was dropped in the 10th round.
During that time fights were scored by rounds with Lee Grossman and John Thomas having Rose the winner by 7 rounds to 6 while Dick Young had Castillo the winner by 9 rounds to 6.
Among Castillo?s other main rivals were American slugger Danny ?Red? Lopez, Nicaragua?s Vicente Blanco and Japan?s Seiichi Watanuki.
In his last bout before retiring on December 12, 1975 Castillo lost a ten round unanimous decision to Ernesto Herrera after suffering a 2nd round TKO to Lopez on April 24 that same year.
The WBC said that during several years when he was classified as among the best bantamweights in the world, Castillo defeated great rivals such as Rafael Herrera, Chuchpo Pimentel, Bernardo Caraballo and former featherweight champion Rafael Ortega.
Castillo was a courageous boxer with great technique and power in both hands.
Castillo retired with a record of 47-18-2 with 22 knockouts in 1975 after starting his pro career in 1962. K
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