The Legendary Castillo takes on Ivan Popoca on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights

The city of Chicago will be the center of national attention this Friday as ESPN’s very popular show, “Friday night fights”, will be filming live at the UIC pavilion as former world champion, Glen “Road Warrior” Johnson (51-16-2, 35 KOs), takes on Chicago’s very popular “The Polish Prince” Andrzej Fonfara (21-2, 12 KOs), in a scheduled 10 rounds in the main event of 8 Count Productions and Warriors Boxing‘s “CROSSROADS“.

In the co-main event, former world champion Jose Luis “EL Terrible” Castillo (63-11-1, 54 KOs), will take on the very durable Ivan “EL Marro” Popoca (15-1-1, 10 KOs), in a 10-round welterweight battle. Castillo’s legendary career started 22 years ago and during that time Castillo went into battle with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Stevie Johnston, Joel Casamayor, Diego Corrales, and Ricky Hatton just to name a few. Nicknamed El Temible, Castillo is generally considered one of the best lightweights of his era. Most boxing fans remember Castillo from his two brutal wars against the now deceased former world champion Diego “Chico’ Corrales, many compared their rivalry to the blood soaked battles of former world champions Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward. The first battle between Castillo and Corrales earned the honor of “Fight of the Year” in 2005 by the Boxing Writers Association of America Fight of the Year and from Ring Magazine.

Several years has passed since Castillo won those fight of the year honor, it is now 2012 and Castillo is now looking to regain his glory, but he has to not only fight against Popoca on Friday night, he will have to face off against father time. There is no doubt even at 38 years of age the Mexican icon ring warrior can still be a threat to any fighter on any day, but there is no doubt that Castillo’s handlers believe that Popoca is a very beatable opponent, if they did not feel that way they would of never took the fight, considering that a loss to Popoca will certainly prevent Castillo from reaching one last huge paycheck.

However Castillo has not won a match in the united states for 5 long years, his last victory on U.S soil was on January 20th of 2007 when he defeated the then undefeated (15-0-0) Herman Ngoudjo in a very close fight in which Castillo escaped with the win in his debut at light welterweight. Since then Castillo fought 12 more times during that span he won 8 bouts against questionable opposition and lost 4 bouts against formidable opponents. I asked fellow journalist Kerstin Broockmann to give me her thoughts on Castillo vs. Popoca, and she hit the nail on the head when she said “Castillo’s biggest asset in this bout is Popoca’s lack of experience and recent inactivity” her statement mimics what the majority of boxing fans across the nation is saying as we wait impatiently for Friday to come.

Popoca on the other hand is hoping that his youth and hunger our weapons that can overcome the much more experienced Castillo. Popoca who loves to press the action as soon as the bell sounds, is looking to consistently move forward and not take a step back, usually this kind of fighter can pose many problems especially to someone like Castillo who has last stepped in the ring 8 months ago, however he will not be the only fighter who is hoping that ring rust will not play a role Friday night. Popoca’s last fight was over a year ago when he faced Russian Ruslan Provodnikov, on the main event on ESPN’S Friday night fights, Popoca was defeated via 8th round KO. Many people felt that Popoca was pushed a little bit early, since that loss Popoca trained at the Wildcard gym before returning home and setting up his training camp back in Chicago. The big question that will be answered will be can Popoca prove to the world and his critics that he does indeed has what it takes to climb the ladder from prospect to contender and can he defeat fighters on the world class level, that question will be answered on Friday.

- Outlaw

Fight Predictions from across the nation.

Your assessment of Popoca vs. Castillo was spot on. I’m not sure if Popoca has the ring experience to take on Castillo yet, though he might pull it off if he pressures him INTELLIGENTLY and not just aggressively. Castillo’s definitely showing the effects of the wars he’s been in, and Popoca can’t afford to let this chance slip through his fingers, though a good showing is all it will take to set him on track again.

I don’t think Fonfara is quite ready for Johnson yet. Johnson SHOULD be showing more signs of age/wear and tear/exhaustion, but he hasn’t really. Fonfara has some physical advantages and if he works with his corner to exploit them, he stands a chance, but Glen Johnson keeps proving that he’s still dangerous.

- Kerstin Broockmann (Cyber Boxing Zone)

 

If Johnson still has gas left in the tank he should win and Popoca should lick Castillo who’s totally shot.

- Ron Katz (Matchmaker)

 

 

Fonfara needed to step up his competition, but Glen Johnson could be too much too fast. Even if he’s 43, Johnson has been fighting at a much higher level than what Fonfara has faced so far. Both fighters appear to be in tremendous shape, but I like “The Road Warrior” to once again come into the fighter’s hometown and pull out a close decision. Look for a Glen Johnson unanimous or majority decision after ten exciting rounds.

 

While I have questions about Popoca’s motivation for this fight and his time off from boxing, his youth should outlast Castillo’s experience. Jose Luis Castillo might have been last decade’s most underrated fighter, but he isn’t that fighter anymore. I like Popoca in a competitive decision after he shakes off the rust in the early rounds.

 

- Matthew Paras (MaxBoxing.com)

 

I like Glen Johnson over Fonfara, as for Castillo vs Popoca all I can predict is that should be a good fight.

- Ed Parades (Interim WBO Latino welterweight champion)

 

Popoca is very beatable but I wonder how much Castillo has left.

Castillo has way better skills but looks shopworn to me.

If Castillo still has some sting left Ivan’s in trouble. If not, it’s going to be an ugly fight and ugly decision win for Castillo. Popoca as you know is a crude pressure brawler who would rather get hit than deflect a punch. It’s insulting to his manhood to duck a punch or move, lol.

Which may be controversial.

Popoca isn’t the funnest guy to fight because he’s there every second.

At any rate, I hope for some good fights. Excited about Fonfara-Johnson.

- Jerry Karwowski (Boxing fanatic)