Lujan defeats Castillo!
Former lightweight champ not beaten by weight—just plain beaten

Report by Francisco Salazar
Photos by "Big" Joe Miranda

Not even fighting at a higher weight class could save former two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo from a one-sided defeat.

Welterweight Sebastian Lujan’s claim to fame in the boxing world was having his ear almost torn off in a world title bout loss against Antonio Margarito.

Now his claim could possibly be that he pounded Castillo into retirement, winning a 10-round unanimous decision bout at the Sycuan Resort and Casino in El Cajon, Calif., Wednesday night.

The main event bout headlined a “Fight Night at Sycuan” card, presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions.

Castillo, who was a world champion in the lightweight division, hoped that fighting at a higher weight class would dispel any weight issues he had lately. Just this past March, a junior welterweight elimination bout between Castillo and Timothy Bradley was postponed due to Castillo coming in over the contracted weight.

A few years ago, Castillo, from Empalme, Sonora, Mexico, weighed in over the lightweight limit against the late-Diego Corrales, prompting promoter Gary Shaw to scrap the fight rather than risk injury to Corrales.

Castillo, now at 56-9-1, 48 KOs, started out his bout against Lujan well in the first few rounds, even hurting the Argentine fighter with a well-placed left hook that momentarily had him staggered.

But, from the fourth round on, Lujan began to increase his punch output, outhustling Castillo. Lujan wmoved in and out of Castillo’s defense, working well to the body and countering with right hands to the head.

Castillo, who won his first world title in an upset over Steve Johnston 10 years ago, offered little in response and began to slow down during the middle rounds.

Breathing heavily, Castillo was removed to not throwing more than two punches during exchanges with Lujan.

Any offense that Castillo would initiate was stiffened by Lujan, whose most recent impressive victory was a fifth round knockout over faded challenger Walter Dario Matthyse.

Lujan, who would throw a more than 1,200 punches in the fight, dominated the last three rounds, almost landing at will against Castillo. Fighting against the ropes, Castillo tried to counter with uppercuts or right hands. However, it was Lujan who was the fresher and more effective fighter towards the end.

Castillo, who lost two close decisions to Floyd Mayweather six years ago, showed heart in hanging in there. But all the wars and battles in the ring over a 65 fights may have caught up to him.

All three judges scored the bout in favor of Lujan, with scores of 99-91, 99-91, and 98-92. Fightnews.com scored the bout 98-92 for Lujan.

Afterwards, Lujan, now 30-5-2, with 20 KOs, had nothing but praise for the Mexican fighter who has thrilled numerous fans worldwide.

“I respect Castillo tremendously,” said Lujan, who is from Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. “He is a great warrior, but tonight was my night. I wish him the best and you will see me again soon.”

Castillo left the ring without making any comments.

The victory may help put Lujan into another television bout or a regional title shot. He has now won his last four bouts in a row. This was only his second bout in the United States.

Abregu stops Davis

In the co-feature bout, hard-hitting Welterweight Luis Carlos Abregu scored a second round stoppage over an overwhelmed Thomas Davis.

Abregu has dominated the welterweight division in his native Argentina and has decided to continue his career in the United States. He is the current South American welterweight champion.

Davis has faced stiff competition in Oscar Diaz, Joel Julio Richard Gutierrez, and Luis Collazo. He even holds a first round stoppage over Kendall Holt in 2004 and hoped to surprise the fighter from Salta, Argentina.

It was not even close as Abregu took the bout to Davis from the opening bell. Davis did very little and covered up as Abregu came in. It looked as though during the first round that Davis was inadvertently poked in the eye and pawed at it during the action.

Abregu scored a knockdown over Davis near the end of the first round with two right hands. Davis stood up and was able to survive the round.

Abregu opened the second round with a knockdown, this time with a left hook to the temple of Davis. Davis got up on wobbly legs and Abregu went in for the kill. To save their fighter from further punishment, Davis’ corner threw in the towel, prompting referee Tony Crebs to step in and stop the bout at 58 seconds.

Abregu improves to 23-0, 20 KOs, while Davis returns to Knoxville, TN with a record of 12-8-2, 8 KOs.

Roman decisions Lagos

Flyweight Manuel Roman fought to an eight round unanimous decision over Javier Lagos.

Roman was the dominant and more effective fighter during the bout. Roman mostly kept the shorter Lagos at bay with a jab and right hand to the head. Lagos attempted to fight his way to the inside, but did very little, often finding himself tied up with Roman.

Roman continued to work from the center of the ring throughout the fight. Roman looked as though he had Lagos hurt in the final two rounds as Lagos slowed down considerably. However, Roman did not follow up and was content to box his way to victory.

All three judges scored the bout 80-72 in favor of Roman, as did Fightnews.com.

Roman, from Paramount, CA, improves to 13-0-2, 5 KOs. Lagos, from Mexico City, DF, Mexico, falls to 15-12-2, 4 KOs.

Ramos forces Dominguez to quit

Lightweight Luis Ramos forced Aaron Dominguez to quit on his stool after the fifth round in a competitive bout.

The southpaw Ramos was the more effective boxer, who countered effectively against Dominguez. Ramos landed the more telling shots to the head as Dominguez attempted to work the body in an effort to slow down Ramos.

Dominguez began to bleed from the nose in the third round as Ramos’ punches began to wear down Dominguez. Undeterred, Dominguez pressed forward, rewarding himself by occasionally landing to the head and body.

The fifth round spelled doom for Dominguez as Ramos scored the first of two knockdowns with a right left combination to the head. Dominguez was able to stand up, but took more punishment from Ramos. A well-placed right hook to the body forced Dominguez to take a knee right before the bell sounded to the end the round.

During the break, Dominguez’ corner recommended to referee Tony Crebs to stop the bout.

Ramos, from Santa Ana, CA, improves to 6-0, 4 KOs. Dominguez, from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, falls to 5-2, 4 KOs.

Molina stops Flores

Junior welterweight Carlos Molina scored a second round technical knockout over Ramon Flores in a scheduled four-round bout.

Flores charged out from the opening bell towards Flores, throwing wild punches. Some would connect through the defense of Molina, as he tried to counter Flores. Although Flores threw more punches, Molina landed the more effective punches.

Molina would intelligently go to the body in the second round, which began to slow down Flores. A combination to the head by Molina dropped Flores to the canvas. Flores stood up, but Flores’ corner threw in the towel, prompting referee Jose Cobian to stop the bout at 2:47 of the round to the bewilderment of Flores.

Molina, from Commerce, CA, goes to 4-0, 1 KO. Flores, from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, falls to 2-2-1, 1 KO.

Harrak decisions Finley

In the walkout bout of the evening, junior welterweight Said El Harrak won a four round unanimous decision over Christopher Finley.

Finley started strong, landing sharp right crosses to the head of El Harrak. However, during the bout, an accumulation of punches began to wear down Finley. El Harrak almost had Finley out on his feet.

Referee Jose Cobian almost went flying out of the ring through the ropes after tripping over his feet in an attempt to avoid both fighters during an exchange.

All three judges scored the bout in favor of El Harrak, with scores of 39-37, 39-37, and 40-36. Fightnews.com scored the bout 39-37.

El Harrak, from Santa Clarita, CA by way of London, England, improves to 2-0. Finley, from Detroit, MI, falls to 1-2, 1 KO.

Notes:

- The card was held in an outdoors venue in a parking lot to accommodate the larger crowd.

- Super Bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, Lightweight contender Julio Diaz, Super Featherweight champion Joan Guzman, Super Welterweight Alfredo Angulo, unbeaten Cruiserweight Shawn Hawk, Super Middleweight Henry Buchanan, and trainer Floyd Mayweather, Sr.

- Ring announcer was Jimmy Lennon, Jr.

- Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas Jr. called the action for ESPN2 “Wednesday Night Fights.”

Bonus pics!