SECOND TIME AROUND By Jeff Mayweather

With the first fight ending in controversy, there is only one way to settle it, and on December 7th in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Event Center Phase Two of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs Jorge Luis Castillo will take place.

Many feel that Castillo was victorious in the first encounter, and almost as many agree that Mayweather was the correct winner. So a rematch is the only way to erase the shadow of doubt and confusion that plagues the minds of countless fans in the Boxing World. I feel that this time around it will be a great fight as well, with two guys who feel they have something to prove. Mayweather, Jr., considered one of the best pound for pound fighters in the World was reduced to a mere Mortal and not the Super Natural being who took the World by storm as he emerged from the '96 Olympic Games with flash and flair that had not been seen in many years; a kid who could flat out fight and was also a defensive genius, with hand speed that was almost a blur. Touted by many as the next Ray Leonard with the good looks and great smile, charisma and personality that would have Wall Street lining up to get a piece of him.

A lot has changed since those days when he became the first Olympian of the 1996 U.S. Team to capture a World Title. He's still undefeated, and still can fight, but no longer has the appeal to attract much other than bad publicity, and maybe that has been a direct result of his last performance.

Coming out of the other corner is Jorge Luis Castillo, a very humble and gracious guy who so long ago I used to spar with; back then he would always say he would love to be signed by Top Rank and one day fight my nephew. When he'd said it, I could sense that he only wanted to fight my nephew for the money. He never gave me any indication that he believed he had a real chance of winning. Or it ever becoming a reality. At this time he wasn't Champion, he and I were just mere sparring partners for the great Julio Cesar Chavez. The fight with Stevie Johnston didn't even exist in his mind or on paper.

I worked with Castillo on many occasions while working with Chavez, I could never imagine this same guy becoming Champion let alone beating my nephew. His talent was limited as I practically played with him while sparring, but his condition was impeccable. He worked extremely hard to make up for his short-comings, he would get up every morning and run six to seven miles, and not be tired afterwards.

I considered Castillo to be a very good friend. I remember one day Chavez was fighting in town I think against Tony Martin at the Hilton Hotel, I was now retired for about a year. Castillo was in town and they called me to work with him. I said, sure, why not? I used to play with this guy. But this time around it was different, his condition overwhelmed me and after four rounds I was spent. I told him that now I was completely finished with Boxing and sparring with him made me realize it was over for me. I then started to believe maybe one day he could be Champion of the World but the timing would have to be great.

Well, that day came against Stevie Johnston, and I was there. I was filling in for my brother Roger with one of his fighters who happened to be on the undercard. Once again, Castillo and I spoke. He and his people asked me what I thought of his chances against Johnston. I reluctantly said that you have a good chance of beating him. I had worked with Stevie Johnston too, so I felt I knew both fighters pretty well. I knew that Stevie cuts very easily, I also knew that Castillo's condition was great and its impeccability would keep him in the fight. I thought maybe he could win on cuts over Stevie but it was his condition that prevailed in the first fight and proved to be the winning factor in their second encounter as well.

Well now the fight between Mayweather, Jr. and Castillo provided some questions as well as some answers. It showed the World that sometimes heart and condition can win. It also showed that if you are to dominate as a Champion, that once you allow someone of lesser talent to compete with you on even ground it might sway the way the Boxing public perceives you.

Personally I thought Floyd emerged victorious, but the expectations have become so high because of his previous performances and his claim to being the best in the World. When you open up your mouth and say things like that it comes back to haunt you, and there is so much negativity going on with him and around him that people are beginning to wish for him to lose. I thought it was a good fight and a close fight. I think this time around it will be just as good if not better. Castillo no doubt is working harder and comes in believing he won. Mayweather comes in feeling he needs to silence his critics and have a spectacular performance, similar to the one against former IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion of the World Diego Corrales.

I think this fight has the making of a great fight and I guess we will just have to wait and see. Will Castillo right the wrong, the injustice he feels was perpetrated upon him? Or will Floyd emerge victorious and find a way to win back the doubting public who once held him in the highest of esteem? People once thought that the fighter that would beat him was still somewhere in diapers; today that might not be the case...

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