I usually watch this fight every 6 months. And every time I'm shocked at how violent it was. Each round was thrilling and it just builds and builds getting better. Round 1 ok that's awesome action, round 4 just savaging each other round 8 how are they still standing, round 10 what a crazy amazing finish. The fight doesn't have any political or social themes around it (like Rumble in the Jungle or Louis vs Schemling 2). It was simply a hardcore fans fight. Re-watching it I noticed the crowd starts to realize they are watching something very special by around round 5. By round 7 every one is on their feet, chants, every blow has the oohhs and ahhs. Not many other fights have that strange feeling that each round is better and more thrilling than the next to the point you don't think it could go on at that pace but it does (Morales - Barrera 1 had, Vazquez-Marquez 2 or Arguello Pryor 1). Also such a shame we never got to see Corrales age, just to see he and Castillo tell stories of that night and most likely become life long friends which seems to always happen.
Yeah I agree. It's certainly the best fight since I started watching the fight avidly. Barrera vs. Morales III is in the running, and I'd say Miguel Cotto vs. Ricardo Torres was pretty damn sweet too as were Vasquez vs. Marquez II & III. I'd round out my last of nominees with Marquez vs. Diaz, Ward vs. Gatti I, and Arce vs. Hussein I as the sleeper hit. I have to agree with you though. As you say, the fight lacked the major social narrative of other classics, but I think people forget how intense the buzz was leading in among people who knew the sport well. Even though Castillo had kind of gone off into the wilderness for a few years, even during that weird exile he was highly regarded for his performance against Floyd. He also had a win and draw against the outstanding but ultimately under achieving Stevie Johnston. And he'd tortured poor Cesar Bazan Then he'd come back to seize the title from Juan Laszcano, who was being tipped as a potential longtime champ after Floyd's departure. He followed that up by getting past Casamayor and then romping by Julio Diaz. Meanwhile Corrales was in the pound for pound lists after beating Casamayor, Freitas, Robert Garcia, Angel Manfredy, and slicing through a half dozen other contenders like Damien Fuller, Derrick Gainer, and Felix St. Kitts. The point is, Corrales vs. Castillo was the culmination of a lengthy, informal tournament for dominance at 135 which had involved a number of elite fighters. The winner was expected to be within spitting distance of future IBHOF induction, and would likely reign for a long time. Instead, within a year and a half, the dominant lightweight was Juan Diaz of all people. Sort of like Bran Stark ruling Westeros, instead of Stannis Baratheon, Margeary Terrell, Oberyn Martell, Jon Snow, etc.
The best fights I've seen are Bowe vs Golota 2 Koo Chang vs Tokashiki Gatti vs Ward 1 Chavez vs Taylor 1
One of the best I’ve watched in live action (that is as it took place on ppv I wasn’t privileged to see it live). Just an unbelievable all action fight with an incredible ending. I was cheering on Castillo at the beginning but by the end I was cheering both on. Gatti-Ward 1 is the only rival for this as the best fight Ive watched live. I lost my sh1t watching this one as well. Proof positive that you can have an atg fight without atg fighters.
It was a great fight. Greatest of all time? Not in my opinion, See some of Bobby Chacon, Matthew Saad Muhammed fights from the late 70's to early 80's. Pryor vs Arguello #1, Ali vs Fazier #1 ( Not only a great fight, but a fight that had political undertones ) The Zarate -Zamora war. Lopez vs Ayala / Gomez vs Pintor / Leonard vs Duran one Leonard vs Hearns one. Marvin Johnson was always involved in exciting shoot-outs it seemed. Holmes vs Norton. The Holyfield vs Bowe Trilogy, Gatti vs Ward Trilogy, Foreman vs Lyle , Iabeachi vs Tua, (It's even more impressive when light heavy's and heavy's fight at a extreme pace) Castillo vs Corrales is a great fight, theirs no doubt about that, but their have been better, with fighters that were more talented.
As great of a fight as Corrales vs Castillo is I feel like there are other fights that are just as exciting or even better IMO. Holyfield vs Qawi / Bowe I / Cooper Zaragoza vs Banke I & II Kelley vs Gainer / Gonzalez / Dorsey Toney vs Jirov
Sanchez vs Gomez Bowe vs Holy 1 Chavez vs Taylor Morales vs Barrera 1 and 3 Hagler vs Hearns Tyson vs Douglas Are prob my favorites. Dont know if they're the best.
I don’t think there’s such thing as a best fight ever. Castillo-Corrales I would be on a shortlist though I’m sure.
That entire fight is ruined to me by Corrales pulling a Frietas and cheating w the mouthpiece and dumbass Weeks allowing it. Without the extra time it is KO10Castillo and a great fight.
It was an incredible fight. However, the fact that Corrales cheated (by purposely spitting out his mouthpiece to buy himself more time and prevent himself from losing by KO) does cast a small pall over the legitimacy of the final outcome.
I think people (mostly Mexicans) overreact to it. It was a veteran move and he was penalized for it in a close fight. Corrales didn’t get stopped because Castillo walked into several bombs. Castillo was out on his feet pinned to the ropes whereas Corrales went down and got up. It is what it is.
