José Luis Castillo vs Diego Corrales (2) 08.10.2005
In a night brimming with anticipation, the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas bore witness to a stunning conclusion in the heated rivalry between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego “Chico” Corrales. The second chapter of their saga, fought on October 8, 2005, promised to be a continuation of their brutal first encounter. Fans expected another gruelling war, but what unfolded was a shocking finish that left the boxing world buzzing.
Castillo entered the ring under a cloud of controversy, having failed to make the 135-pound lightweight limit, tipping the scales at 138 pounds. The weigh-in drama stripped the bout of its title stakes, but not its intensity. Despite the weight issues, both fighters entered the ring determined to prove their dominance, and the opening rounds delivered the kind of fierce exchanges that had defined their rivalry.
From the opening bell, Castillo and Corrales resumed their relentless assault on each other. The first three rounds saw both men landing heavy shots, with Castillo finding particular success inside. Corrales, undeterred, battled back, but it was clear Castillo’s punches were taking a toll.
In the third round, the physical toll on Corrales became evident. A cut opened above his right eyelid, his nose swelled, and his right eye puffed up from Castillo’s relentless pressure. Yet, Corrales, known for his warrior spirit, fought on, refusing to give an inch.
The fourth round, however, brought the night to a dramatic and abrupt end. Just 47 seconds in, Castillo unleashed a perfectly timed left hook that caught Corrales square on the chin. The punch sent Corrales crashing to the canvas, and though he courageously attempted to rise, his legs betrayed him. Referee Joe Cortez counted him out, signalling the end of the fight and Castillo’s revenge.
The victory for Castillo was as decisive as it was controversial, given the weight issues that had plagued the lead-up to the fight. With Corrales on the receiving end of a brutal knockout, the conversation quickly turned to whether the weight discrepancy had influenced the outcome.
This bout, while not as legendary as their first encounter, cemented the Castillo-Corrales rivalry as one of the most memorable in boxing history. Unfortunately, it also marked the end of Corrales’ success in the ring, as he would never win another fight after that fateful night. The third fight between the two, which many fans hoped would settle the score once and for all, never materialized, leaving this rivalry with an unfinished chapter and a legacy of unforgettable moments.
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Filed under: Lightweight - @ October 8, 2005 11:59 pm
Tags: Diego Corrales, José Luis Castillo