Castillo Laughs to Win

EL PASO, TX - Castillo-Corrales it was not.

Former two-time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo easily defeated Rolando Reyes on points in a non-title 12-rounder in Texas.

Reyes, who took the bout at three weeks' notice after the Mexican's third meeting with Diego Corrales was postponed after a rib injury to the WBC/ WBO champion, was outclassed with the judges scoring it 119-108, 117-110 and 116-111 in Castillo's favour.

Castillo, rated one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, looked wary of a letdown following his classic brawls last year, and took a cautious approach early in the fight against the classic style of Reyes.

Castillo took control in the sixth round, but not before being jeered by the small crowd at the Don Haskins Center for his cautious approach early in the fight.
Castillo looked to have Reyes, who was content to cover up and counter most of the fight, in trouble at the end of the 10th round before the bell saved Reyes.

Castillo improved to 54-7-1 and now looks set to fight Corrales in June before moving up to light-welterweight.

Phil Banerjee
Contributing Editor

Information from other publications and wire services was used in the compilation of this report.