Chucho Castillo Seized the Bantamweight Crown in His
Jesús “Chucho” Castillo won the WBA and WBC bantamweight championships against Rubén Olivares at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on October 16, 1970. A cut over Olivares’s eye brought the contest to a halt in the fourteenth round.
The first championship meeting
Castillo had challenged Olivares at the same venue on April 18, 1970. Although Castillo knocked the champion down in the third round, Olivares retained both belts by unanimous decision over fifteen rounds.
In the October rematch, Castillo increased his pressure as Olivares’s cut worsened. The referee stopped the fight on the ringside physician’s recommendation, making Castillo world champion.
The championship trilogy
Olivares regained the championship in April 1971, ending Castillo’s reign. Their three meetings became a major thread in the careers of both Mexican bantamweights.
Castillo also faced opponents including José Medel, Lionel Rose, Rafael Herrera, Enrique Pinder and Bobby Chacon. The WBA’s obituary records forty-seven wins, eighteen defeats and two draws, including twenty-two knockout victories.
Olivares’s cut began early and became increasingly troublesome as the rematch progressed. Castillo used a stabbing left and combinations to exploit the champion’s reduced vision. The official cards remained close before the stoppage: one favored Castillo by a single round and two were level. The injury therefore decided a competitive fight rather than completing a one-sided performance.
Sources
- BoxRec: first Olivares–Castillo championship meeting
- BoxRec: Castillo wins the rematch on a cut stoppage
- BoxRec: Castillo’s championship reign dates
- World Boxing Association: Castillo’s career record and notable opponents
