Chucho Castillo

Castillo and Ruben Olivares sustained one of the most important rivalries in the history of Mexican boxing. Castillo was described by the boxing book The Ring: Boxing in the 20th Century[?] as quiet and sullen, while Olivares was more of an outgoing partygoer, according to the book. The personality contrast made fans very interested in their matches.

Castillo began to box professionally April 26 of 1962, against Carlos Navarrete[?]. He suffered his first loss that night, beaten by decision in six rounds. His first win was obtained in his next bout, when he beat Arnulfo Daza[?] by decision in eight.

Castillo built a record of 24 wins and 7 losses, with 11 knockout wins, before facing Jose Medel[?] for the Mexican Bantamweight title. He won that title with a 12 round decision on April 29, 1967, and he retained it two times, and won an additional seven non-title bouts before challenging for the world title for the first time. Among the fighters he beat during that streak were Jesus Pimentel[?] and Memo Tellez[?], who had beaten Castillo twice before.

His first world title try came against Australia's Lionel Rose[?], who was the first Aborigene[?] ever to win a world title. The fight was held in Los Angeles, December 6 of 1968. Rose won a very unpopular 15 round decision in front of a decidedly pro-Castillo crowd, and a riot was formed after the fight.

Castillo had eight bouts in 1969, going 5-1-2 during that period. He beat future world champion Rafael Herrera[?] to defend his title, had a ten round draw (tie) in Tokyo with Ushiwakamaru Harada[?], drew with Medel, and split two decisions with Raul Cruz[?].

In 1970, Castillo was given his second world title try when he and Olivares clashed to begin their three fight rivalry. On April 18, Olivares retained the crown with a decision over Castillo. However, a rematch between the two fighters was fought on October 16. Castillo cut Olivares in round one, and when it was determined that Olivares could not continue in round 14, Castillo was declared winner, and new world Bantamweight champion, by a technical knockout.

After one non-title win, Castillo and Olivares met for a third time, like the two previous times, also in Los Angeles. Olivares recovered the crown by winning another decision, despite suffering an early knockdown, on April 3 of 1971.

Castillo went on fighting until 1975, but his record from the Olivares fight until his retirement was a rather ordinary one of 5 wins and 7 losses. He lost to former or future world champions Enrique Pinder[?], Bobby Chacon and Danny Little Red Lopez. After losing to Ernesto Herrera[?] on December 12 of 1975, he retired.

Castillo had a record of 46 wins, 18 losses and 2 draws, with 22 wins by knockout.