Ex-Pacquiao sparmate quits after sorry loss

ARLINGTON – Former two-time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo announced his retirement as a fighter shortly after quitting on his stool before the start of the sixth round in a bout against Alfonso Gomez in the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey undercard at the Cowboys Stadium here last Saturday night.

Castillo, 36, was just a shadow of his old self in trying to beat Gomez who easily took at least four rounds before the surrender. He looked sluggish, pale and unprepared for a battle in the trenches. Gomez took the initiative from the start, banging away at Castillo with little respect for the Mexican warrior who twice went the distance with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2002.

It was a surprise ending as only a few days before the bout, Castillo offered Gomez a side bet of $20,000 with the winner to take it all. Last year, Castillo flew to Baguio City on trainer Freddie Roach’s invitation to spar with Pacquiao in preparation for Miguel Cotto. Castillo even asked Roach if he could work out at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

But against Gomez, Castillo was far from competitive. He was rocked, staggered and battered, drawing pity from fans who once revered him as a proud gladiator.

“I want to apologize to the public,” said Castillo. “I just found out tonight I don’t have it anymore.”

The next day, Castillo was with his wife and three kids eating lunch from Panda Express at the food court of the Grapevine Mills, an outlet mall only a 10-minute drive from the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center where the entire fight party was billeted.

In his heyday, Castillo was surrounded by a coterie of hangers-on and ate only at posh restaurants. Now that he retired, the entourage has disappeared and Castillo is left with only his family to share in his depression.

“That’s it for me,” said Castillo, referring to his retirement. “I’m moving on but I’ll stay involved with boxing. I’ve got eight fighters in my stable and I hope to produce world champions.”

One of Castillo’s top guns, flyweight Hernan Marquez, dropped a 10-round decision to Filipino Richie Mepranum at the Gaylord Convention Hall last Friday. It was Marquez’ setback and his record is now 27-1, with 20 KOs, including six in the first round. The Mepranum bout was Marquez’ first on US soil and the debut might have caused jitters.

“I enjoyed my stay in Manila and Baguio,” said Castillo. “I think the Filipino people are very warm and friendly. I would love to go back soon, this time with my family. If I’m asked to help in training Filipino fighters, of course, I’ll be open to it. I’m willing to help any fighter who is committed to work hard in the gym to become a serious contender.”

Castillo said Pacquiao was masterful in dominating Clottey but hesitated to predict an outcome in case the Filipino icon takes on Mayweather.

“Clottey’s very strong,” said Castillo. “I know Manny’s power because we’ve sparred. I think Manny hits much harder than Mayweather. If they fight, it will be very difficult to call. When I fought Mayweather twice, I had a hard time locating him. He’s so quick. Every time I threw a jab, he would already be out of range before I could finish a combination. I know Manny’s quick, too. That’s why it’ll be a very interesting fight if it happens.”

Castillo said Mayweather is the best fighter he’s ever faced but in his book, the greatest of all-time was countryman Julio Cesar Chavez.