Today marks the 10th anniversary of one of the greatest fights in boxing history – the brutal first battle between Diego “Chico” Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo. Relive the drama of that classic slugfest – the 2005 Fight of the Year — by watching the epic and deciding 10th round from May 7, 2005.
Steve Farhood’s also shared his reflections on one of the most memorable two-way battles ever televised on Showtime. The full post is available here, on Showtime’s Pound for Pound Tumblr blog, but here’s an excerpt:
When it was over, viewers and insiders alike were incredulous. It was, inarguably, one of the greatest fights in history, a fact granted even by the old-timers, who are decidedly difficult to impress.
What are the components of a great fight? Stakes? This was a 135-pound unification bout, only the fifth in the division’s rich history. Non-stop action? From beginning to end. Brutal exchanges? One after another. A sizzling pace? Both fighters opened by punching and never stopped. Changes in momentum? There were several, including more than one in the final round alone. And a memorable finish? It was like nothing we had seen before.
The ultimate acknowledgment came seconds after the fight was stopped, with Corrales the off-the-floor winner. The members of the working press stood and applauded, which is something that to the best of my knowledge had never happened before–and hasn’t happened since.
Truly one of the most unforgettable fights in boxing history. So enjoy taking a look back and watching Corrales vs. Castillo I round 10.
