April 23, 2005
NAGOYA, JAPAN-WBA 115-pound champ Martin Castillo (28-1, 16 KOs), Mexico, will defend his belt against Japanese southpaw Hideyasu Ishihara (16-3-1, 11 KOs) in Nagoya, Japan, on June 26. It was announced by Koji Matsuda of Matsuda Promotions on Saturday in Nagoya. Castillo, an excellent boxer-puncher, acquired the WBA interim title by scoring a one-punch knockout over Ishihara in Nagoya in May of the previous year. He faced the full champ Alexander Munoz, Venezuela, to drop him twice and pound out a lopsided decision, unifying the WBA throne in Laredo, TX, last December. Castillo also showed his improvement in keeping his belt by outpunching ex-WBA fly boss Eric Morel to score a unanimous nod beneath the Morales vs. Pacquiao showdown this March. Ishihara, a game challenger with a suspect chin, fought only once after his annihilation by Castillo by earning a decision over Thailander Kumanthorn Poh Pluemkamol last October. Castillo, remarkably good at the offense and the defense as well, will be a prohibitive favorite over the awkward Japanese lefty. On the undercard, OPBF 122-pound champ Masakazu Sugawara will risk his belt against perennial top contender Wethya Sakmuangklaeng, a Thai veteran southpaw who once fought Guty Espadas Jr. in a quest for the WBC feather belt, losing a hard-fought decision in Mexico in 2000.
(4-23-05)