OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

WBC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION JOSE LUIS CASTILLO,

WBO LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION DIEGO CORRALES

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2005,

        In a highly anticipated match-up and Fight of the Year candidate, the two best 135-pound boxers in the world will square off when two-time WBC champion Jose Luis Castillo (52-6-1, 45 KOs) takes on WBO champion Diego “Chico’’ Corrales (39-2, 33 KOs) in a world lightweight title unification bout Saturday, May 7, 2005, on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). In the co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, talented Juan Manuel Marquez (43-2-1, 33 KOs) will defend his IBF/WBA featherweight titles against Victor Polo (34-4-3, 21 KOs), who is the WBA No. 5 featherweight contender.

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JOSE LUIS CASTILLO

“It took me a while in my last two fights to get warmed up, but if Corrales comes to me, this fight is going to be a brawl with each of us taking our best shots at one another. The winner will be the one who is the strongest and the most prepared.

“I keep hearing how big and strong Corrales is, and how hard a hitter he is, but we will all find out Saturday. I do not know who has the advantage; I have been busy and he has been resting. Mentally, it is hard fighting as often as I have, but physically I am great. I had a great camp and am in top shape.

“We both know that this is a very big fight, one that is important to both our careers. I feel that respect-wise a victory would put me at the same level as Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. For me, this is my biggest fight since the first one with (Floyd) Mayweather.

“I am not concerned about whether Corrales has a good chin or not. I just hope when I hit him, he does not get up. This fight is not going the distance and might even end really early.”

DIEGO CORRALES

“On paper, this has the potential to be as exciting a fight as you will see. I definitely feel that at some point, it will be bombs away. Look at our resumes. We both have fought the best guys and have a lot of knockouts. I really do not see how it can go the distance with each of us dropping bombs on each other in the middle of the ring. I love these kinds of fights. It has been a long camp, but I am so ready.

“Everything about Castillo impresses me. He is a consistent, true champion who always finds a way to win. I respect his power, but I am not concerned about getting knocked down. Because I know I will get up.

“This fight is so big for me. To be fighting in my new hometown is very exciting. These kinds of fights are what legacies are made of and I want to be remembered as one of the best ever in my weight class.

“Establishing the jab is very important. I have become dependent on it. But all the questions about who has the best chin, who has the best power, will be answered Saturday. There may even be some answers to things we have not thought of yet. This is going to be a classic and I am thankful to SHOWTIME and everybody involved for making it happen.”