Q&A WITH JOSE LUIS CASTILLO

Jose Luis Castillo is on a crash course with Ricky Hatton. But before the two of them have any chance of meeting in the ring, they both need victory on Saturday, January 10th. Castillo answers some questions from Nat Gottlieb as he readied for his upcoming fight.

by Nat Gottlieb

HBO: Your Canadian-based opponent, Herman Ngoudjo, has fought and beat some pretty decent fighters. Given that this is your first fight at junior welterweight, do you think this bout will answer a lot of questions about your future impact on the division.

CASTILLO: This is a very important fight for me because of what happen last year. I needed to move up and this is the perfect opportunity to show everyone that I'm back and that all I really need it was to move up to 140 and I'm glad it will be against a top notch opponent in that weight class...

HBO: What do you know about Ngoudjo, and what problems might he present for you?

CASTILLO: Ngoudjo looks to have very quick hands. But he likes to fight and that will make for good fight between us...

HBO: Obviously you can't look past an undefeated opponent, but what are your feelings about fighting Ricky Hatton, a match everybody is eager to see?

CASTILLO: I believe a fight with Ricky Hatton would a great fight. Our style are so similar that you can help think that any fight between us will be explosive and entertaining...

HBO: Now that you don't have to struggle with making 135, how has that affected your training?

CASTILLO: It allows me to get ready for a fight and not train to lose the weight. It will help do something's better in the ring, but my biggest asset my strength will be even better at 140...

HBO: Had there not been the public demand for a rematch of your classic first fight with Corrales, would you have chosen to move up to 140 earlier?

CASTILLO: Our second and third fight should have been at 140. But I was contratually obligated to fight him at 135 so I had to stay at the weight to fight him, but my body just couldn't make the weight any more...

HBO: You have fought so many elite fighters. Which fight do you remember the most and why?

CASTILLO: My first fight against Stevie Johnston when I won my first world championship, not many people taught I could win the fight, but I proved them all wrong. It was a big win against a great champion and it was my first world title...

HBO: You use the Mexican mountain town of Teomoya for your training camps. Many elite fighters also train in high altitude, and many don't. What benefits do you see in mountain training?

CASTILLO: It has been very beneficial for me, because it not only gives a great physical condition but it also get me away from everything and all I think, eat and talk is boxing...

HBO:From 1996-2000, you worked as one of the main sparring partners for the great Julio Cesar Chavez. How did that experience change you as a fighter?

CASTILLO: It was tremendous experience for me. He taught me so much about fighting and life in general. Boxing is a tough business and you have to sacrifice a lot, and he told what to expect and what to do in certain situations. He was my mentor and I will forever be grateful for all his teachings...

HBO: I have read where your father was a professional fighter, but also had to work a lot of years on the railroad to feed the family. He took you to all his fights. One story has it that between bouts, you'd go up in the ring and work on your shadow boxing and people would throw money at you. Is that true?

CASTILLO: Yes is true. It was fun to do get up and do it in a real ring and then see people give me money. The funny thing is that my son Christian (8 yrs) did it not too long ago in one of the cards I promote and he also got money for it...

HBO: I understand you are a regular at Mexicali Eagles baseball games in the winter league, and even take batting practice with the team and sit on the bench. Did you play much baseball growing up, or did boxing take up most of your time?

CASTILLO: I always love baseball. I played on the outfield in did some catching. I played baseball all of my life and I still enjoy going out to the games in the winter in Mexico and will travel to San Diego and Phoenix to see a major league game once in a while...

HBO: How much longer do you want to fight, and what goals would you like to accomplish before retiring?

CASTILLO: I believe I can still fight a couple of more years at this level. I like to be world champion again before I retire...

HBO: How would you like to be remembered after you retire?

CASTILLO: As a fighter who gave it his all in the ring all the time. I might not be the most talented, but I always try to give the fans their money's worth every time I step into the ring...