Jim
06-22-2007, 12:07 PM
June 22, 2007
By Albert Jiménez Howell
Thursday’s final press conference for Hatton-Castillo took on a high touch of class and not just because of the setting at the Five Star/Five Diamond Wynn Las Vegas casino resort. The British tandem of IBO light welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton (42-0, 30 KOs) and Promoter Dennis Hobson dedicated Saturday’s championship bout against two-time WBC lightweight champion José Luis Castillo (55-7-1, 47 KOs) to the memory of the late great Diego Corrales. Demonstrating a high touch of class not normally associated with the hard sport of boxing, Hatton and Hobson presented Corrales’ pregnant wife, Michelle Corrales, with a bouquet of flowers.
Mrs. Corrales addressed the media saying that her late husband had much respect for Castillo and was looking forward to working with Hatton before his untimely passing. Corrales was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident on May 7th of this year exactly two years to the date after he participated in his epic lightweight championship battle against Castillo considered to be one of the greatest fights of all-time.
The champion Hatton hails from Manchester, England a city popular for its world-class soccer and its hard-core sports fans. As many as 10,000 of these die-hard fans are reported to be making their way across the pond and to the Las Vegas desert to cheer on their man Hatton. One of the most celebrated of Hatton’s supporters is the Manchester United soccer star Wayne Rooney, who will be carrying Hatton’s title belt into the ring. Hatton’s popularity is not restricted to England. Mexico’s superstar boxing sensation Marco Antonio Barrera will also be accompanying Hatton to the ring on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Castillo Promoter Bob Arum remarked that Rooney is a hero and both Rooney’s and Barrera’s presence in Hatton’s corner is testament to Hatton’s popularity as a boxer. Arum continued to say that if boxing is going to survive and thrive, the sport needs “fights between fighters that fight not dancers that dance!” Arum’s comments were in no doubt a criticism of the recent May 5th mega-bout between Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in which the action was heavy on the dancing and light on the fighting. Arum used to be the promoter of record for both De la Hoya and Mayweather. Arum concluded his comments by emphasizing that the sport of boxing is going to get what the sport needs on Saturday night- a fight between two fighters that fight!
In a touching moment, Castillo took the podium to offer his condolences to Mrs. Corrales. Castillo said of the passing of Corrales, “it was a real tragedy. I was very, very sad when I heard the news.”
The challenger Castillo spoke briefly about the fight Saturday night only to say that he is very well prepared both physically and mentally. “I am very strong. It is going to be a sensational fight.”
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I think this fight depends largely on Castillo,and is he past his best.Hattons young & he'll bring that stamina & aggresion he's known for.
I can't wait for these 2 to bang heads.Hatton likes to get inside, brawl & back guys up.But Castillo is damn hard to backup,he doesnt take a backward step & his chin is rock solid.
Both rip the body too,this is guaranteed a fans fight.
My heart says Castillo but the brain says Hatton.
I think it will go thr full 12 rds,but then again I wouldnt be surprised in a dramatic stoppage.
Heaps of good fights this weekend lads.
JLC/Hatton 147lbs welterweight
Mighty Mo/Schilt
Sapp/Aerts
Penn/Pulver rematch
Shammy/NYBA
Kimbo/Mercer
& more
Cheers & enjoy.:drinks:
By Albert Jiménez Howell
Thursday’s final press conference for Hatton-Castillo took on a high touch of class and not just because of the setting at the Five Star/Five Diamond Wynn Las Vegas casino resort. The British tandem of IBO light welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton (42-0, 30 KOs) and Promoter Dennis Hobson dedicated Saturday’s championship bout against two-time WBC lightweight champion José Luis Castillo (55-7-1, 47 KOs) to the memory of the late great Diego Corrales. Demonstrating a high touch of class not normally associated with the hard sport of boxing, Hatton and Hobson presented Corrales’ pregnant wife, Michelle Corrales, with a bouquet of flowers.
Mrs. Corrales addressed the media saying that her late husband had much respect for Castillo and was looking forward to working with Hatton before his untimely passing. Corrales was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident on May 7th of this year exactly two years to the date after he participated in his epic lightweight championship battle against Castillo considered to be one of the greatest fights of all-time.
The champion Hatton hails from Manchester, England a city popular for its world-class soccer and its hard-core sports fans. As many as 10,000 of these die-hard fans are reported to be making their way across the pond and to the Las Vegas desert to cheer on their man Hatton. One of the most celebrated of Hatton’s supporters is the Manchester United soccer star Wayne Rooney, who will be carrying Hatton’s title belt into the ring. Hatton’s popularity is not restricted to England. Mexico’s superstar boxing sensation Marco Antonio Barrera will also be accompanying Hatton to the ring on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Castillo Promoter Bob Arum remarked that Rooney is a hero and both Rooney’s and Barrera’s presence in Hatton’s corner is testament to Hatton’s popularity as a boxer. Arum continued to say that if boxing is going to survive and thrive, the sport needs “fights between fighters that fight not dancers that dance!” Arum’s comments were in no doubt a criticism of the recent May 5th mega-bout between Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in which the action was heavy on the dancing and light on the fighting. Arum used to be the promoter of record for both De la Hoya and Mayweather. Arum concluded his comments by emphasizing that the sport of boxing is going to get what the sport needs on Saturday night- a fight between two fighters that fight!
In a touching moment, Castillo took the podium to offer his condolences to Mrs. Corrales. Castillo said of the passing of Corrales, “it was a real tragedy. I was very, very sad when I heard the news.”
The challenger Castillo spoke briefly about the fight Saturday night only to say that he is very well prepared both physically and mentally. “I am very strong. It is going to be a sensational fight.”
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I think this fight depends largely on Castillo,and is he past his best.Hattons young & he'll bring that stamina & aggresion he's known for.
I can't wait for these 2 to bang heads.Hatton likes to get inside, brawl & back guys up.But Castillo is damn hard to backup,he doesnt take a backward step & his chin is rock solid.
Both rip the body too,this is guaranteed a fans fight.
My heart says Castillo but the brain says Hatton.
I think it will go thr full 12 rds,but then again I wouldnt be surprised in a dramatic stoppage.
Heaps of good fights this weekend lads.
JLC/Hatton 147lbs welterweight
Mighty Mo/Schilt
Sapp/Aerts
Penn/Pulver rematch
Shammy/NYBA
Kimbo/Mercer
& more
Cheers & enjoy.:drinks: