TBT - Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo I (May 7, 2005)

The first meeting between Diego “Chico” Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo is widely regarded as one of the greatest fights in lightweight history. Both men held a version of the world title and both were known for their willingness to trade. Through nine brutal rounds at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the fighters exchanged savage combinations, neither giving an inch.

Early in the tenth round it appeared that Castillo had finally broken Corrales. A left hook sent the lanky Californian to the canvas. Corrales spat out his mouthpiece to gain extra seconds, took the mandatory eight count, and nodded at referee Tony Weeks. Moments later another left hook dropped him again. Once more he spat out his mouthpiece and received a stern warning from Weeks along with a point deduction. Sitting on his stool in the corner, trainer Joe Goossen famously said, “You gotta **** get inside on him now.”

Galvanised, Corrales came out swinging. He stunned Castillo with a right hand and followed with a furious barrage of hooks that pinned the Mexican against the ropes. In a sudden reversal, Weeks stepped in to stop the fight at 2:06 of round 10. Corrales, who had been seconds away from defeat, emerged victorious in a war that epitomised heart and resilience and was later named Fight of the Year.