Thanks "Gallito"
Team Espinoza, who has handled the later portion of Martin "Gallito" Castillo's career, seems to be encouraging the former WBA Super Flyweight champion to retire following a first round stoppage loss to Jorge "Travieso" Arce.
The former Mexican Olympian and excellent amateur Castillo has gone 3-2 in his last five fights, with both losses being tough stoppages. However, in his prime, Castillo was a classy boxer with impressive footwork and a great ring IQ.
Ultimately a second retirement (Castillo announced his retirement after a 2008 knockout loss to Fernando Montiel) would be Martin's decision and I would respect the choice of a man who was extremely nice to me the only time I met and spoke with him. Whichever he chooses, it may help him to know he still has at least one fan left that appreciates his career and cheered for him at every turn. Either way, thanks for all the fun times, champ. And good luck.
More Empty Haye Talk
Yesterday BoxingScene.com reported that British promoter Barry Hearn said negotiations for an all-UK fight between David Haye and Audley Harrison are going well.
What is there to negotiate?
After defeating Russian giant Nikolai Valuev in a fairly boring and non-confrontational bout, Haye proclaimed he would never fight Harrison, insisting the former Olympian didn't deserve a shot at the big time. It seems Haye has had a change of heart, as Harrison's trash-talking and recent one-punch knockout of faded Brit Michael Sprott have earned him what almost assuredly will be a brutal ass-kicking.
Under different circumstances, the matchup would probably be viewed as a nice "stay busy" type of fight, bringing Haye a nice payday in the meantime. The problem is Haye has directed his own stinging trashtalk towards both Klitschko brothers since contemplating his move to heavyweight, but has managed only 5 fights in the last 3 years, turning down a 50/50 split offered by Wladimir Klitschko, a last ditch effort to make just about the only heavyweight bout boxing fans are actually anticipating.
Harrison's underwhelming career has been interesting enough for UK boxing fans to make him a popular fighter overseas, even if only to laugh as he fails. The fight should bring a lucrative mainstream paycheck to both guys, but it simply does nothing for most fans.
Time's ticking, David. And you may have blown your only opportunity at even money with a Klitschko.
Cuba, Represent
The latest group defection of Cuban fighters has given US airwaves some nice talent, per usual. Erislandy Lara, Yordanis Despaigne and Yordenis Ugas found their way onto a special Wednesday night boxing broadcast on ESPN2 last night, generally looking impressive.
Despite all three guys showing the talent and clear skill that tends to come with a lifetime of being immersed in the sport, it's tough to gauge just exactly how far these Cubans will be able to travel in boxing. As many of us know, there have been more Juan Carlos Gomez-type of disappointments than there have been lasting world class contenders like Joel Casamayor, and a big reason why is that their new found "freedom" is overwhelming.
Regardless, it's unreasonable to expect every elite amateur to excel in the pro game. No matter the outcome, it appears that these guys should make their respective divisions more interesting in the near future. And with a variety of styles among them to enjoy, fans should look forward to it.
Margarito Denied CA License
More than 18 months after being caught attempting to "load" his handwraps prior to a fight with Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito was denied a license to box in the state of California.
I was a huge Margarito fan before the handwrap incident. Mosley-Margarito was supposed to be a treat for Southern California boxing fans in January 2009. Instead, it was a huge embarrassment. Especially for his fans, who defended him in the years leading up to his breakthrough win against Miguel Cotto.
Whether or not Margarito should be allowed to fight is a matter of personal opinion, with debate as to Margarito's knowledge (or lack thereof) of the hardened knuckle pad in his wraps beginning not long after "The Tijuana Tornado" was brutally stopped by Shane. But there shouldn't be any doubt that both Top Rank and Team Margarito handled the situation poorly with regards to getting his license back.
Even if Margarito didn't know his trainer Javier Capetillo placed the illegal pad in his wrap, he hasn't appeared to fully "own" any responsibility for knowing who on his team does what. Hanging out with Capetillo not long after the loss doesn't exactly jive with the story he told during a hearing yesterday, saying he severed ties with Capetillo quickly after the fight. Additionally, Top Rank attempting to get him licensed in Nevada before going first to the California State Athletic Commission (as would be the "normal" course of action) came off nothing less than shady, even though the CSAC dropped the ball in a major way by not being the ones to catch the cheating attempt.
Personally, I'm still bitter enough about being made to look like an idiot, as a big fan of his, that I'm actually kinda happy he won't be rewarded for trying to cheat with huge Pay-per-view exposure and a multi-million dollar payday after only one mediocre fight in 18 months. I concede bias on the issue.
If nothing else, I would say that a stricter reaction to such attempts is a much better idea than the leniency shown Mike Tyson after chomping on Evander Holyfield's ear.
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao UPDATE
Floyd Mayweather's trainer and uncle Roger Mayweather recently told FightHype.com that his nephew would likely still fight in 2010. In other words, Floyd's a jerk.
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