Morning after the big HBO Special with Manchester’s Ricky Hatton claiming the IBF Super Lightweight strap over defending Colombian strong man Juan Urango, and Jose Luis Castillo nipping Cameroon gamester Hermann Ngoudjo, word is both winners will meet in a June face off.

Good news for popular crowd pleasers Hatton of Manchester, England, and veteran Mexican warhorse Castillo, is both survived difficult trials in last nite’s respective auditions.

The opening battle featured WBC #1 ranked Castillo with its #2 rated Ngoudjo - and after the halfway mark of stanza six, my unofficial had it all square, with heavy favorite Castillo grabbing numbers one, four and six and Ngoudjo alive and well while snatching 2, 3, 5.

Call it age, wear and tear, with some 62 kept appointments going in for Castillo - notably them wars with nemesis Diego Corrales at lightweight and problems shedding poundage to make weight had its effects - still, the warrior heart of the Mexican has always given body and soul once the bell rings.

And this new kid on the block, Hermann Ngoudjo, a Cameroon transplant currently calling Hollywood, Florida home, and entering this showcase opportunity after 15 pro fights with nine by KO nearly upset the proverbial apple cart.

Ngoudjo showed good size at 140 … young enough to capitalize on a stinger jab if he works on it - proved willing to go the eye for an eye approach on the inside once becoming comfortable as the fight headed for the final turn.

My numbers had it Castillo 115-114 in points - agreeing with the official judges that saw it Castillo 115-113 while the dissenter had it Ngoudjo 115-113. The key as I saw it was the Mexican was busier of the two and earned the win.

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Main event with Britain’s Hatton vs. Urango for the IBF belt played out differently - Hatton surprised all by abandoning the usual in the trenches inside volume punching against an exceptionally physical adversary in Urango.

Here was "Hitman" Hatton showing quickness of hands and movement during the early stanzas over a plodding block of pugilistic granite in Urango - the Colombian strong man simply couldn’t get off during the early stanzas.

Other than one late round, that saw Urango scoring with power punches to the body, that got Hatton’s attention, did tough Juan belatedly show the battle plan that never surfaced - clearly a key to victory for future reference.

Final numbers went all Hatton 119-109 - my unofficial had it Hatton 118-110.

Closing thoughts: Ricky Hatton (42-0, 30 KO’s) ~ young enough at age 26 to remain top dog at 140 - gives too much up at full welter to be successful among the 147 gang. The homework showed in switching from trench warfare to in-out quick strikes with good movement, that was lacking prior to this outing.
                                Jose Luis Castillo ( 55-7-1, 47 KO’s) ~ will always admire this abused gladiator that fell victim to misdirected penalties while promoters, managers, trainers abandoned the sinking ship while the skipper (Castillo) took all the heat in Corrales weigh-in fiasco. How he went along with a Vegas venue while still a draw baffles this slow learner. Not sure if it was age, number of kept appointments, the near year layoff, but this one was not vintage Castillo. The discussed Hatton June connection should tell the rest of the story. The past champion, if necessary, will surely die with his boots on if it comes to that. Similar to Hatton both are at their best under full welterweight.
                               Hermann Gdoudjo (15-1, 9 KO’s) ~ age 27 and strong body needs no more than sharpening up the combinations to go with the spear of a jab. Relaxed in demeanor and has the tools that need just a bit of refining. Could have pulled a shocker out of the hat on this night if busier in output.
                              Juan Urango ( 17-1-1, 13 KO’s) ~ age 26 has the power and rock solid chin construction to be a force at 140. Needs to upgrade the style from advertised counterpunch mode to full court press - the secret to success is pressure, pressure, pressure with power punches directed to body and head alike. More than strong enough to break down the 140 pound clientele - The chin will take care of incoming while the outgoing seeks and destroys.

GEL 

1-20-2007