Team Pacquiao has tapped welterweight veteran boxer Jose Luis "El Temible" Castillo who has a record of 60 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw with 52 knockouts to help Manny Pacquiao in his preparations against Miguel Cotto.
Those looking to find some use from Michael Koncz should take note that it was Koncz who brought in Castillo after receiving guarantees that the Mexican warrior is in shape. The 35-year old Castillo is coming from a 2 round TKO victory last September and is on the comeback trail going 4-0 in 2009 with all his victories coming by way of knockout or TKO.
This is good news for Team Pacquiao and bad news for Miguel Cotto as Castillo will definitely be able to emulate Cotto and display his veteran boxing skills and craftiness during sparring sessions against Pacquiao which definitely helps tremendously. Castillo is big and strong too and has fought the best of the best with victories over Joel Casamayor, Diego Corrales and Juli Diaz.
Castillo is best known for his classic wars with the late Corrales in 2005 whom he knocked out the second time they fought. Castillo also fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2002 twice losing on both occasions by unanimous decision. Castillo definitely gave Floyd fits and I actually had him winning the first fight as he gave Floyd the toughest fight of his career in my opinion.
Perhaps the arrival of Castillo as Pacquiao's sparring partner will be beneficial to the Filipino slugger in more ways than one. Not only will he prep up and push the Pac Man in sparring and get him accustomed to the stalking style Cotto will probably try to do against Manny, he will also be able to share his pointers on how to beat Mayweather's style. Castillo throws combinations similar to Cotto and is very savvy. He is also bigger and moves kind of similar to Cotto in the sense that Manny can definitely hit both of them. I won't say he is a Cotto clone, but the looks that he will give Manny will really help out.
It's like killing two birds with one stone. Not only will Pacquiao get help in preparations against Cotto but in case he does clash with Mayweather in the dream fight all fight fans have been yearning for, he will have great tips and pointers from a man whom a lot of people think actually beat Mayweather before. As of now however, all eyes are on Cotto. Bringing in Castillo is definitely a good move by Team Pacquiao and should pay dividends.
......source
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