Organisation pays for the funeral of multi-time WBC title challenger.
In late February of this year, former multi-time world title challenger Ruben Castillo passed away, and suddenly, the world was one warrior less.
There are not many fighters who got as many as four title opportunities and came up short each time, yet that’s exactly what happened to Castillo.
You see, in his own era–in his own time–Castillo was never going to be a world champion. That isn’t an unkind comment regarding his ability, either.
No, far from it.
Rather, it refers to the fact that when Castillo fought, no matter what division he happened to be in, he couldn’t set a foot down without awaking a dragon.
Castillo’s first title shot was for the WBC super-featherweight belt, and he was stopped in 11 rounds by Alexis Arguello.
Two fights later, Castillo challenged for the WBC trinket at featherweight, losing on points over 15 to Salvador Sanchez.
Almost three years later, Castillo came up short over 12 to Juan Laporte, again for the WBC title at featherweight.
Two more years later, Castillo was stopped in six in his second challenge for the WBC title at featherweight, this time to Julio César Chávez.
To put that into perspective, in three of his four title challenges, Castillo fought the two best boxers from Mexico and the best boxer from Nicaragua.
Not so many fighters have been that unlucky, and it’s arguable that none have.
Castillo’s funeral took place on the 19th of March, and the full expenses were covered by the World Boxing Council, the organisation Castillo fought for the titles of on four separate occasions.
Without fighters like Ruben Castillo, there is no boxing.
Rest in peace to a true gladiator of the fistic arts.
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