The Weight is Over…The Fight is Off
By Gabriel Montoya, (June 3, 2006)
Photo © Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
LAS VEGAS, NV: When asked at Thursday’s press conference if he would proceed with Saturday night’s fight should Jose Luis Castillo not make weight, Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales said without hesitation “Absolutely not.“

After all the questions following the weight controversy of their rematch, Castillo-Corrales III, the much anticipated ‘War To Settle the Score’, was called off today following Jose Luis Castillo’s failure to come anywhere near the lightweight limit of 135lbs. After four attempts at the first weigh in, Castillo officially weighed 139.5lbs, which cast a pall over the proceedings and sent the media and fans alike into a frenzy. A dejected looking Castillo sat limply in his chair, an impossible amount of weight to drop, weighing on him as Corrales triumphantly stood on the scales and assured his championship with a weight of 135lbs.

After the weigh in, an emotional Corrales spoke briefly with media. “I made the sacrifice last time. He is going to have to make it this time. How he can come in my hometown, in my house, and totally disrespect me is beyond me.“

As he left the weigh in, Castillo told Corrales “I am sorry.“

According to Corrales, that apology fell on deaf ears. “Screw him. I wanted to hit him in the mouth.“

A second weigh in was set for 5:00PM Friday evening and Team Castillo and Corrales agreed to allow Castillo to only have to shave off two pounds for the fight to continue. Sadly, as he did he before their rematch, Castillo, looking like a dead man walking, repeated the events of the rematch, when he weighed a ½ lb more than before he went off to lose the five extra pounds.

A brief meeting was called with Bob Arum, Gary Shaw, Corrales and various members of both teams in the corner Emperor’s Ballroom here at Caesar’s Palace. According to both Corrales’ promoter Shaw and Castillo’s promoter Bob Arum, Chico was advised not to take the fight. A few moments later, Corrales spoke to the media and announced he would not be fighting this Saturday.

“I have to think of my children. I want to walk my little girl down the aisle. I have to think of the lessons I have taught my son. After talking it over with my wife, we think it is best for me not to fight . I am a fighter. This is what I do. No matter who I fight, I will take years off my life. I am a warrior. This is what I do. But not this time.“

Afterwards, an very angry Gary Shaw and Bob Arum both addressed the media.

Bob Arum: “How could this happen. They could of told us one month, two months ago. When they signed the contract. SOMETHING. This is an outrage. I am very angry.“

Gary Shaw: “The fight is off. I don’t want to see this guy (Castillo) again. I can’t even think of fighting him at a higher weight… Corrales will most likely fight sometime in July.”

Castillo: “If you had lost out of big business deal, how would you feel? I look forward to fighting at 140 or 147 against Hatton… All I can say is I am sorry.“

The show will go on only with Vic Darchinyan vs. Luis Maldonado as the headliners. It will be televised by Showtime and any fan who wants their money back can get a refund.

For this writer, who is covering his first fight in Vegas, it is a huge disappointment. I came for a Superfight and undercard broke out. Corrales absolutely did the right thing. He sacrificed himself in the rematch for the fans (and two million dollars). This time, however, he leaves with his health intact and no money for his weight making troubles. Many will call this a black eye for boxing. I say this time, boxing got it, as it usually do, half right. Corrales wasn’t pushed into a situation he couldn’t win and the moneymen (Shaw and Arum) did the right thing in advising him against going forward. The only real losers here are the fans. All those faithful fans who waited patiently through the whole ordeal today only to be let down deserve more than this.

Well, maybe next time.


Comments/disputes/questions?
e-mail
Gabriel at: Coyotefeather2000@yahoo.com
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006