"We've
talked numerous times over the last couple of weeks and Martin
has concluded that this is the end of the line for him. He
didn't feel like himself during the Montiel fight and is happy
with what he has accomplished in the sport. As he put it 'I
owe everything to boxing and I don't want to fight anymore if I
can't go at a world class level.' "
"The fans
have always been very supportive of Martin and he wants to
thank them for all their years of terrific support, it's meant
so much to him. Bob Arum and the whole Top Rank family have
been great to work with and he also wishes to thank them for
the opportunities they gave him, said Espinoza.
Castillo
was stopped by Fernando Montiel in the fourth round on February
16, 2008 in a super flyweight title bout in which Montiel was
defending his World Boxing Organization belt.
The 31 year
old Castillo, a native of Mexico City, finishes his career with
a record of 33-2 with seventeen knockouts. He won the WBA super
flyweight by defeating Alexander Munoz on December 3, 2004 in
Laredo, Texas.
Long a
popular fan favorite with boxing fans in the United States,
Castillo also fought three times in Japan, his only loss there
coming when his war with Nobuo Nashiro was stopped on cuts in
the tenth round. Prior to that stoppage loss, Castillo had
defended his title three times including a rematch with Munoz
and a win over 1996 US Olympian Eric Morel.
Castillo
made his pro debut on July 27, 1998 after an outstanding
amateur career that featured his participating in the 1996
Olympics representing Mexico. He also defeated Floyd Mayweather
Jr. in the amateur ranks.