The war was a highly anticipated rematch with a truly bizarre ending that you'd only see in boxing.
Leading up to September 15th 2000, Johnston had compiled an impressive 260-13 amateur career. He started his pro career in 1993 and had secured the WBC strap by 1997.
For those of you that haven't seen this fight, I have included the links to the entire fight at the bottom of the story.
These two first meet earlier in June of 2000' as Castillo scored 'The Ring Magazine' upset of the year via unanimous decision. Castillo was relatively unknown at this point in his career.
Coming into the rematch, Johnston had never been stopped in his professional career.
It was a packed house at the 'Pepsi Center' as many Colorado boxing fans came out to watch the hometown boy in what would end up being a fight for the ages.
Stevie came out wearing blue shorts trimmed in white with Castillo in green, white, and red representing the Mexican flag.
Right from the opening bell the leather was flying as both fighters were looking to set the tempo and press the pace.
There was never a stop in the action whatsoever as both fighters kept moving forward, executing text book counter punching and slick "slippin and dippin", going for broke.
Johnston's mug looked worse than Castillo's by the final round as his right eye was badly swollen with some minor cuts.
This is where things got a little crazy as Stevie was originally declared the winner by majority decision in error.
Several minutes later it was discovered that Judge Ken Morita's scorecard which was originally 115-114 for Johnston, had been tallied incorrectly and should have read 114-114, making the bout a draw and allowing Castillo to retain his title.
It would end up being Johnston's last shot at a major title.
To see all 3 parts of the fight, click the links found below:
Part 1:
|
Part 2: |
