Bantamweight Tournament Round 1: Chucho Castillo vs Jeff Chandler

Tough fight, I like Joltin' Jeff's smooth style. But Castillo's power could play in, with a knockdown. Crucial point in a short fight. I'll take Chandler with plenty of movement & a good jab to squeek by this one. Chandler 8 rd split dec.

 

Chucho was the better, steadier fighter imo.Never liked Chandler's lazy defence for the box-fighting style he employed.

castillo close decision, though i really think all these fights should be over at least 12 rounds, pater.

 

I do as well. these are all top fighters and it's the later rounds that can make the difference.

 

:good

 

I see Chandler getting off to a good start but Castillo starts getting into by the middle rounds with his counterpunching and landing heavy shots. Castillo by decision 7-5

 

So were thumbless gloves!atsch

 

I reckon its good for something different Greg, something else to think about...Would defo like to see it over 12 for the next round but I can live with a few more 8 rounders.

 

Nah, 8 round fights is a pretty awful idea. Anyways, over 12 I pick Chucho to win the decision. I think he was a bit better than Chandler in every category, more fluid and versatile as well.

 

Castillo was a counter-punching master, but I can't forget the fact that Jeff could box a bit when he wanted to. A very close decision, and I go so narrowly for Chucho over 12.

Scartissue

 

Well i want to pick Chandler, looks like i might not be right in doing so though as we have a near consensus going the other way. Would be a decent 'watchable' fight this anyway, they'd mix it up and Castillo might just have a bit more than Chandler in that type of fight. Chandler takes some early rounds being busy and getting his jab off. Castillo takes over thereafter, close fight, i can see a knockdown sealing it for Castillo over 12. But i'll say a Chandler resurgence sees him take it, to make it interesting.

 

I've honestly seen limited film of Castillo. In it, he looks very good. But I think Chandler gets a little underrated. Maybe because he didn't have a real long prime. I don't think the Chandler who lost a non-title fight to Oscar Muniz and lost his title to Richie Sandoval is the same Chandler who was beating Solis (x2) and Lujan in the early 80's. Chandler could get sloppy but was a fine boxer with good movement when he applied himself. He also always just looked bigger than his opponents (tall, wingspan). I'll go out on a limb and say Chandler fights a disciplined, controlled fight from the outside and racks up enough rounds with a jab to gain a close decision.