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Like a reformed vegetarian, Manny Pacquiao is in need of some fresh meat.
When it comes to employees he hires to beat up on, Pacman is a sharp toothed carnivore.
Former WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo, who got his baptism in boxing as a 16 year old standing toe to toe with Mexico’s all time ring icon Julio Cesar Chavez, is expected to climb into the training ring in Baguio Saturday with Megamanny.
Coach Freddie Roach never wanted the “punched ticket” Castillo as a Manny sparmate. I can understand Roach’s frustration after he publicly rejected using Castillo in an interview with me on Sept. 10, the day of the Pacquiao vs Cotto Yankee Stadium press conference.
It became a control freak situation with controversial, de facto Pacman “manager” Michael Koncz calling the shot and booking Castillo for a round trip ticket to Baguio.
On Wednesday, I asked Bob Arum whose idea it was to bring Castillo, age 35 and coming off a two round KO victory last month, to camp over Roach’s outright rejection.
“I don’t know,” Arum told me.
That could be poppycock as Castillo is handled by Arum’s Mexican promotional connection Fernando Beltran and the fighter wouldn’t be going to the Philippines if the Top Rank honcho nixed the move.
It looks like this was a Koncz power play to throttle Roach according to this tidbit from Alex Vidal writing on Philboxing:
“Gracias por su cooperacion (thank you for the cooperation of) Michael Koncz,” said Potenciano Santocildes Sr. of Boxeo Manos y Manos Club in Escondido.
“He was referring to reports that it was Koncz, a US-based Canadian fight agent, who was responsible for tapping the services of the 35-year-old resident of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico who had arrived in Baguio City to join Urbano Antillon and Shawn Porter.
“The three have been tasked to bamboozle Pacquiao from pillar to post during the training regimen and be prepared to also receive the world champion’s heavy blows in no holds-barred fisticuffs.
“Koncz, the most maligned member of Pacquiao’s boxing management, has been criticized in media for bringing in an “old” sparring partner for Pacquiao. He neither confirmed nor denied he was the one who recruited Castillo, nicknamed “El Terrible” like his compatriot Erik Morales.
“Santocildes Sr., 48, who teaches young boxers in Torrey Pines and Chula Vista, said instead of vilifying Koncz, his critics should thank him for “picking the right carpenter to build a house.”
“He described Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KO’s), who grew up in Santocildes’ hometown in Sonora, Mexico, as “human bazooka” who continues to explode and stands in front even if his legs are wobbly from punishment.”
Roach makes it clear that if Castillo’s sparring effort is lackluster, he will be headed to the Manila airport in a hurry.
Having said all that, Pacquiao does need a new target as he been battering Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon very day.
That pair is likely hoping Castillo can ease their daily burden.
I’m hoping, for sentimental reasons, that Roach’s judgment is off the mark on this one and that Castillo gives Pacquiao some solid work.
One thing is for sure, if Castillo does disappoint, it won’t be for a lack of pride. Despite his infamous weigh in goof ups, Castillo is the traditional and prideful Mexican ring man.
Can Castillo stand up to Manny?
Surely, the gas tank is near “E” for Castillo.
Is he “the right carpenter” or just a shotski palooka who will get continually nailed?
We start finding out on Saturday.
I’m hoping the aging tiger can do the job.
Source: examiner.com
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