Arguello vs Castillo — Another KO For “El Flaco Explosivo”

It’s 1980 and Alexis Arguello is a two-time world champion, already considered 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 repute that the WBC’s primary contender, Frankie Baltazar, can’t settle for the supply 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 increased praise could be paid a reigning champion than high contenders turning down possibilities to battle him.

So as a substitute of Baltazar, it was Ruben Castillo, a featherweight, who was supplied the possibility 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 popular weight class. The match occurred in Tucson, Arizona and was carried dwell on ABC’s Broad World Of Sports activities. Castillo was undefeated in 45 fights, however he had but to face a really 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 positively on the beneficiant facet: Arguello was at his peak and Castillo had nearly 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 pictures to the challenger’s ribs and stomach when he had the possibility.

But when Castillo was maintaining 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 known as “The Explosive Skinny Man” punished the challenger with energy pictures 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 obtained to his ft however the referee correctly stopped the battle, giving Arguello his thirteenth championship win.

“[Castillo] fought an excellent battle,” stated Arguello afterwards. “He knew what to do on the market. He boxed me very effectively. 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 effectively,” stated Castillo. “I used to be stunned at how sturdy he was. A lot stronger than I believed. I didn’t need this battle however the cash was too good to show down. Any more, I’m solely going to battle as a featherweight.”

The challenger boxed with braveness and ability, however he was within the ring with a major 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 change into solely the sixth man in boxing historical past to win three divisional world titles. And solely a fighter as nice as Aaron Pryor could stop him from successful a fourth.        — Robert Portis