# José Luis Castillo

José Luis Castillo (born December 14, 1973) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2014. Generally considered one of the best lightweights of his era, he is a two-time world champion at that weight, having held the WBC title twice, from 2000 to 2002 and 2004 to 2005; and the Ring magazine and lineal titles from 2004 to 2005. Castillo is best known for his 2005 fight against Diego Corrales, for which he received Fight of the Year awards by both The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America, as well as his much-debated first fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr..

## Professional career
### Lightweight
#### Castillo vs. Johnston I & II

In 2000, having two straight wins over Jorge Paez and Steve Quinonez, Castillo challenged WBC lightweight titleholder and Ring No. 1 ranked Lightweight Stevie Johnston. Heavily favored as underdog, Castillo was slated to lose. Instead, Castillo scored the Ring Magazine Upset of the Year, defeating Johnston by a majority decision, in what was a very close fight. Three months later, they fought to a draw, memorable because miscalculation adding the scores led to an original announcement of Johnston regaining his title, which Castillo learned about when Johnston showed up in his dressing room to return the strap.
After fighting Johnston, Castillo defended his title against Ring Top 10 Lightweight, César Bazán. Castillo defeated Bazan by 6th-round TKO, dropping Bazan in the 5th and 6th rounds.

#### Castillo vs. Mayweather I

In his first bout with undefeated American junior lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., Castillo started slow but gradually lured the flashy boxer into a toe to toe battle. Castillo had great success in the middle rounds, when he cut off the ring and used his strength to try wearing down Mayweather. As the fight progressed, Castillo's power and pressure seemed to turn the fight in his favor, having tremendous success with body punching while Mayweather became more stationary, allowing the stronger Castillo to do significant work. Castillo closed the fight strong, outlanding Mayweather 35-20 in the 11th round and totally dominated the 12th. Punch stats showed Castillo with lopsided totals in every category; punches landed, thrown & power punches landed & thrown and overall connect percentages. Despite the clear advantages numerically, Castillo’s slow start cost him the fight as he only won 1 of the first 6 rounds. Judge Jerry Roth and John Keane scored it 115-111, and judge Anek Hongtongkam scored it 116-111, all for Mayweather, a decision that was loudly booed by the crowd. The HBO announce team loudly voiced its disapproval of the verdict, with unofficial scorer Harold Lederman having Castillo winning 115-111. Despite the unofficial scorer Harold Lederman scoring the fight for Castillo, most ring side press for the fight scored the fight for Mayweather, including unofficial scorers for Ring Magazine, ESPN, and the Associated Press all scoring the fight for Mayweather. Ultimately the fight was close enough to the Mayweather team that a rematch was signed.

#### Castillo vs. Mayweather II

After Mayweather's successful shoulder surgery, Castillo re-matched with Mayweather. Mayweather used his quick footwork, combinations and his jab specialty to coast to another unanimous decision victory, this time with all analysts in agreement, including Harold Lederman. The smaller Mayweather was again outweighed by Castillo on the night of the fight, as Castillo weighed 147 and Mayweather weighed 138.

#### Castillo vs. Lazcano

On June 5, 2004, Castillo regained the Lightweight title and won the vacant Ring Lightweight title by defeating Ring No. 1 ranked Lightweight, Juan Lazcano. Castillo won the fight by unanimous decision, by the scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113.

#### Castillo vs. Casamayor

In Castillo's first title defense, he fought former Super Featherweight and future Lightweight champion, Joel Casamayor. In what was a very close fight, Castillo was awarded the close and controversial split decision. The scores were 116-112 and 117-111 for Castillo, and 115-113 for Casamayor. Castillo's next fight was a title defense against Ring Top 10 Lightweight, Julio Díaz, which Castillo won by TKO in the 10th round.

#### Castillo vs. Corrales I

On May 7, 2005, Castillo fought WBO Lightweight champion and Ring No. 1 ranked Lightweight, Diego Corrales. Corrales defeated José Luis Castillo for the WBC lightweight title via TKO in the tenth round. The fight is almost universally regarded as the best fight of 2005. Both men stood in front of each other, battering each other with hard combinations and power punches throughout the entire fight. Finally, in the tenth round, Castillo knocked Corrales down. Seconds later, Castillo knocked Corrales down again. Once on the ground, Corrales managed to beat the count, and, after a point was taken away for excessive spitting out of the mouthpiece, Corrales connected with a punch that Castillo later called "a perfect right hand." Corrales then trapped Castillo against the ropes and landed numerous punches, causing the referee, Tony Weeks, to stop the fight.

#### Castillo vs. Corrales II

A rematch between Corrales and Castillo occurred on October 8, 2005. On the day before the fight, Castillo weighed-in 3½ lb over the 135 lb (61 kg) lightweight limit. Since Castillo did not make the weight, the fight became a non-title bout. The two fighters continued with the same fighting style that they had used in the first fight, trading inside punches throughout the first three rounds. Early in the fourth round, Castillo knocked down Corrales with a left hook to his chin. Corrales wobbled to his feet at the referee's count of ten, causing the fight to end.
Corrales vs. Castillo III, dubbed "The War to Settle the Score," had been scheduled for February 4, 2006, but it was postponed because of a rib injury that Corrales suffered while training. The fight was rescheduled for June 3, 2006. At the weigh-in, however, Corrales weighed the 135 lb (61 kg) lightweight limit whereas Castillo weighed 139½ lb—causing the fight to be cancelled. Corrales later sued Castillo for punitive damages.

### Light welterweight

On January 20, 2007, Castillo won a narrow split decision over Herman Ngoudjo. On June 23, he fought Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas. Castillo was KO'd 2 minutes and 16 seconds into the fourth round by a crunching left hook to the ribs, one of the few times a top ranked boxer of Castillo's caliber has been KO'ed by a bodyshot and reminiscent of the bout between Roy Jones Jr. and Virgil Hill. Prior to the knockout Castillo had been deducted a point for low blows to his opponent.
Castillo was scheduled to fight Timothy Bradley in 2008 for the right to be number 1 contender to the WBC Super lightweight title, but during the weigh-in on March 8, 2008, Castillo weighed 147½ pounds (7 pounds over the super-lightweight limit). Bradley instead faced and defeated Junior Witter for the title.

### Welterweight

On the Pacquiao vs Clottey undercard on March 14, 2010, Alfonso Gomez and Castillo clashed for Gomez' WBC Continental Americas welterweight title. Ringside reporters have said that the fight was to see if Castillo had it anymore, and for this type of fight such a minor title is nearly an insult. Castillo lost in round 5 by TKO (not answering to the bell). After the bout Castillo announced his retirement, stating, "I just found out tonight I don't have it anymore, I want to apologize to the public and I am definitely announcing my retirement."
After announcing his retirement in March 2010, Castillo returned to action in a fight against Roberto Valenzuela on June 18, 2010 and won the bout by unanimous decision. The match was held at the Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

## Professional boxing record

| 80 fights | 66 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 57 | 8 |
| By decision | 9 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 80 | Loss | 66–13–1 | Ruslan Provodnikov | TKO | 5 (12), 2:09 | Nov 28, 2014 | Luzhniki, Moscow, Russia | |
| 79 | Win | 66–12–1 | José Luis Payan | TKO | 5 (10), 1:13 | May 30, 2014 | Gimnasio Carlos Hernández Carrera, Nogales, Mexico | |
| 78 | Win | 65–12–1 | Felix Bojorquez | TKO | 5 (10), 0:53 | Mar 21, 2014 | Gimnasio del Estado, Hermosillo, Mexico | |
| 77 | Loss | 64–12–1 | Antwone Smith | UD | 10 | Feb 1, 2013 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 64–11–1 | Iván Popoca | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00 | Jul 13, 2012 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 63–11–1 | Sammy Ventura | TKO | 2 (10), 2:52 | Nov 26, 2011 | Campo Futbol Colosio, Playa del Carmen, Mexico | |
| 74 | Loss | 62–11–1 | Jorge Páez Jr. | UD | 12 | Mar 25, 2011 | Gimnasio de Mexicali, Mexicali, Mexico | For vacant WBC FECARBOX welterweight title |
| 73 | Win | 62–10–1 | Daniel Eduardo Yocupicio | TKO | 2 (10), 1:28 | Aug 7, 2010 | Estadio De Béisbol Héctor Espino, Hermosillo, Mexico | |
| 72 | Win | 61–10–1 | Roberto Valenzuela | UD | 8 | Jun 18, 2010 | Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico | |
| 71 | Loss | 60–10–1 | Alfonso Gómez | RTD | 6 (12), 0:10 | Mar 13, 2010 | Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. | For WBC Continental Americas welterweight title |
| 70 | Win | 60–9–1 | Carlos Urías | TKO | 2 (8), 2:59 | Sep 12, 2009 | Palenque de Feria, Tepic, Mexico | |
| 69 | Win | 59–9–1 | Christian Solano | TKO | 3 (10), 1:51 | Aug 22, 2009 | Auditorio Unidad Deportiva, Los Cabos, Mexico | |
| 68 | Win | 58–9–1 | Roberto Valenzuela | KO | 6 (10), 1:40 | Jul 25, 2009 | Palenque del Recinto Ferial, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico | |
| 67 | Win | 57–9–1 | James Wayka | TKO | 2 (10), 1:13 | Jan 17, 2009 | Centro de Espectáculos Promocasa, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 66 | Loss | 56–9–1 | Sebastián Luján | UD | 10 | Jul 30, 2008 | Sycuan Resort & Casino, El Cajon, California, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 56–8–1 | Adan Casillas | TKO | 6 (10), 2:38 | Oct 27, 2007 | Centro de Espectáculos Promocasa, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 64 | Loss | 55–8–1 | Ricky Hatton | KO | 4 (12), 2:16 | Jun 23, 2007 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For IBO, The Ring, and vacant WBC International light welterweight titles |
| 63 | Win | 55–7–1 | Herman Ngoudjo | SD | 12 | Jan 20, 2007 | Paris Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won WBC-NABF light welterweight title |
| 62 | Win | 54–7–1 | Rolando Reyes | UD | 12 | Feb 4, 2006 | Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 53–7–1 | Diego Corrales | KO | 4 (12), 0:47 | Oct 8, 2005 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 60 | Loss | 52–7–1 | Diego Corrales | TKO | 10 (12), 2:06 | May 7, 2005 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC and The Ring lightweight titles; For WBO lightweight title |
| 59 | Win | 52–6–1 | Julio Díaz | TKO | 10 (12), 2:23 | Mar 5, 2005 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 58 | Win | 51–6–1 | Joel Casamayor | SD | 12 | Dec 4, 2004 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 57 | Win | 50–6–1 | Juan Lazcano | UD | 12 | Jun 5, 2004 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant WBC and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 56 | Win | 49–6–1 | Derrick Parks | TKO | 2 (10), 2:37 | Feb 13, 2004 | Edgewater Hotel and Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 48–6–1 | Saul Duran | TKO | 8 (10), 1:47 | Oct 10, 2003 | Jacob Brown Auditorium, Brownsville, Texas, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 47–6–1 | Gustavo Corral | KO | 5 (10), 0:33 | Jun 14, 2003 | Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S. | |
| 53 | Loss | 46–6–1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | UD | 12 | Dec 7, 2002 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBC and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 52 | Win | 46–5–1 | Verdell Smith | KO | 3 (10) | Aug 3, 2002 | Centro de Usos Múltiples, Hermosillo, Mexico | |
| 51 | Loss | 45–5–1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | UD | 12 | Apr 20, 2002 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC lightweight title; For vacant The Ring lightweight title |
| 50 | Win | 45–4–1 | Juan Angel Macias | TKO | 8 (10), 1:04 | Jan 25, 2002 | Avi Resort & Casino, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 44–4–1 | Fred Ladd | TKO | 4 (10) | Aug 24, 2001 | Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 48 | Win | 43–4–1 | Seung-Ho Yuh | KO | 1 (12), 1:53 | Jun 16, 2001 | Centro de Usos Múltiples, Hermosillo, Mexico | Retained WBC lightweight title |
| 47 | Win | 42–4–1 | César Bazán | TKO | 6 (12), 2:54 | Jan 20, 2001 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC lightweight title |
| 46 | Draw | 41–4–1 | Stevie Johnston | MD | 12 | Sep 15, 2000 | Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | Retained WBC lightweight title |
| 45 | Win | 41–4 | Stevie Johnston | MD | 12 | Jun 17, 2000 | The Bicycle Casino, Bell Gardens, California, U.S. | Won WBC lightweight title |
| 44 | Win | 40–4 | Steve Quinonez | UD | 10 | Apr 8, 2000 | Blancas Bazaar, Imperial Beach, California, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 39–4 | Jorge Páez | TKO | 5 (12), 1:04 | Oct 16, 1999 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico | Won vacant IBA super featherweight title |
| 42 | Win | 38–4 | Sandro Marcos | KO | 8 (12) | Aug 14, 1999 | Guaymas, Mexico | Won vacant Mexico super featherweight title |
| 41 | Win | 37–4 | Cristino Mota | RTD | 3 (10) | Jul 10, 1999 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 40 | Win | 36–4 | Pablo Valenzuela | KO | 4 (10) | Jun 4, 1999 | Palenque del Parque Vicente Guerrero, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 39 | Win | 35–4 | Julian Romero | UD | 6 | Apr 1, 1999 | Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 34–4 | Eduardo Montes | KO | 3 (12) | Feb 19, 1999 | Palenque del Parque Vicente Guerrero, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 37 | Loss | 33–4 | Julio Alvarez | TKO | 10 (12) | Oct 3, 1998 | Mexico City, Mexico | For vacant Mexico super featherweight title |
| 36 | Win | 33–3 | Julio Sanchez Leon | TKO | 8 (12) | Apr 17, 1998 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | Retained Mexico featherweight title |
| 35 | Win | 32–3 | Hector Javier Marquez | TKO | 10 (12) | Sep 12, 1997 | Guaymas, Mexico | Retained Mexico featherweight title |
| 34 | Win | 31–3 | Rafael Olvera | KO | 7 (12) | Jul 4, 1997 | Gimnasio Municipal Josue Neri Santos, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico | Won Mexico featherweight title |
| 33 | Win | 30–3 | Javier Renteria | KO | 1 (10) | Mar 8, 1997 | Estadio Arquitecto Ricardo Etcheverry, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 32 | Win | 29–3 | Jesus Castaneda | KO | 2 (12) | Jan 1, 1997 | Salón Casa Blanca, Mexicali, Mexico | Retained Mexican Pacific Coast super featherweight title |
| 31 | Win | 28–3 | Jaime Fernandez | KO | 1 (12) | Dec 13, 1996 | Palenque del Parque Vicente Guerrero, Mexicali, Mexico | Retained Mexican Pacific Coast super featherweight title |
| 30 | Win | 27–3 | Roberto Valenzuela | KO | 6 (6) | Oct 12, 1996 | Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 26–3 | Jose Luis Montes | KO | 7 (12) | Sep 20, 1996 | Centro de Espectáculos Rancho Grande, Mexicali, Mexico | Retained Mexican Pacific Coast super featherweight title |
| 28 | Win | 25–3 | Jesus Arce | KO | 1 (12) | Aug 15, 1996 | Centro de Espectáculos Rancho Grande, Mexicali, Mexico | Won vacant Mexican Pacific Coast super featherweight title |
| 27 | Loss | 24–3 | Javier Jáuregui | TKO | 10 (12) | May 9, 1996 | Guadalajara, Mexico | For Mexico featherweight title |
| 26 | Win | 24–2 | Carlos Madrid | KO | 2 (10) | Mar 15, 1996 | Palenque del Parque Vicente Guerrero, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 25 | Win | 23–2 | Cornelio Lopez | KO | 4 (10) | Dec 8, 1995 | Estadio Estrellas Empalmenses, Empalme, Mexico | |
| 24 | Win | 22–2 | Alfredo Curiel | TKO | 4 (10) | Sep 29, 1995 | Centro de Espectáculos Aragon's, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 23 | Win | 21–2 | Ramon Soto | KO | 3 (10) | Apr 7, 1995 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 22 | Loss | 20–2 | Javier Jáuregui | TKO | 10 (12) | Nov 9, 1994 | Mexico City, Mexico | For vacant Mexico featherweight title |
| 21 | Win | 20–1 | Alfredo Curiel | TKO | 6 | Aug 26, 1994 | Empalme, Mexico | |
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | Francisco Valdez | KO | 1 (10) | Mar 18, 1994 | Palenque del Parque Vicente Guerrero, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 19 | Loss | 18–1 | César Soto | TKO | 2 (12) | Jul 9, 1993 | Ciudad Juárez, Mexico | For vacant Mexico featherweight title |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Lucilo Nolasco | TKO | 2 (10) | Apr 30, 1993 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Juan Carlos Salazar | TKO | 1 (10) | Mar 5, 1993 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Ascencion Lugo | TKO | 3 (10) | Dec 11, 1992 | Centro de Usos Múltiples, Hermosillo, Mexico | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Francisco Valdez | TD | 6 (12) | Oct 2, 1992 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | TD after Valdez was cut |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Jorge Castro | KO | 2 (10) | Sep 4, 1992 | Plaza La Cachanilla, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Rigoberto Felix | KO | 3 (10) | Aug 7, 1992 | Plaza La Cachanilla, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Ramon Acuna | KO | 2 | Jun 20, 1992 | Empalme, Mexico | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Ramon Arreola | KO | 3 (10) | May 29, 1992 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Cesar Huizar | KO | 1 | Mar 30, 1992 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Ramiro Dunton | KO | 5 | Nov 22, 1991 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Jose Manjarrez | TKO | 7 | Sep 6, 1991 | Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Miguel Angel Ramirez | KO | 4 | Aug 19, 1991 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Victor Mendoza | KO | 4 | Apr 8, 1991 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Raul Contreras | TKO | 4 | Mar 21, 1991 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Jesus Escobar | KO | 1 (6) | Dec 21, 1990 | Gimnasio de la UABC, Mexicali, Mexico | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Jose Alvarez | KO | 2 | Oct 1, 1990 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Manolo Ramirez | KO | 2 | Jun 23, 1990 | Empalme, Mexico | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Ricardo Contreras | KO | 2 (4) | May 4, 1990 | Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Mexico | |