The Co-Event…Gomez vs. Castillo
By William Trillo
Not to be lost in all the pomp and circumstance of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey Welterweight Title fight tonight is a battle that will be broadcast on the PPV undercard. In a bout for the WBC Continental Americas welterweight title, Alfonso Gomez will go head up against former Lightweight Champ Jose Luis Castillo. I highly suggest ordering the pizza a little early tonight and make sure you are in your seats in front of the big screen for this battle of Mexican warriors.
I was fortunate enough to speak with Gomez on the phone after Fridays weigh-in and it’s clear that he is ready for a war. “Castillo came in at 144 pounds and I hear this is the best training camp he has had in a while. I am glad he will be at his best. The Castillo I am expecting to see tomorrow night is the one we saw against Corrales and Casamayor,” said a matter of fact Gomez.
On his game plan Alfonso said,” I am not planning on taking one step backward and I know he isn’t either. This is going to be a great fight between 2 tough Mexican fighters and I am ready to give everyone a great show.”
It can be argued that of all the “Contender” fighters it’s Gomez who is like the sweet cream in that cup of Reality Show Coffee that has risen to the top. His recent victory over Jesus Soto Karrass has launched him into tonight’s Texas spectacular PPV event and although you may scoff at his fight with Miguel Cotto no one can ever say that Gomez was not willing to take on whatever challenge that is put in front of him. Unlike another Contender star who was busying running from the likes of Jermain Taylor, Gomez has always been ready and up for the task and even in defeat he has not been deterred from his course.
Should Gomez defeat Castillo tonight he will put a 147 pound minor belt around his waist and it should only be a matter of time before he gets another shot at the big prize.
Meanwhile, this is pretty much do or die for Castillo. But it’s not as if he hasn’t earned one more chance. After a loss to Sebastian Lujan in 2008 Castillo was relegated to fights in deepest darkest Mexico but like Gomez he stayed the course and has put together 4 KO performances disposing his foes in 6 rounds or less in each of those tests. Now Castillo finds himself on the big stage again and as we know he is no stranger to major events, he should handle himself accordingly.
Not to take away from Diaz and Soto, ‘cuz that should be a good fight too, but if I have to choose a time to run to the kitchen to grab a slice and a cold one it won’t be during the Gomez vs. Castillo affair.
