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20/01/2007
Jose Luis Castillo W12 Herman Ngoudju... In a town where Top Rank fighters are renowned for winning the close fights, Jose Luis Castillo won a very close split decision over Herman Ngoudju in a surprisingly competitive junior welterweight bout. Castillo won by scores of 115-113 (twice), overruling a 115-113 score in Ngoudju's favor. HBO's unofficial judge Harold Lederman scored it a draw, six rounds apiece. Punchstat numbers had Castillo landing more punches 245-208, and also landing more power punches 212-158, so although debatable, the verdict was certainly no robbery. Castillo probably won the first round, but Ngoudju outhustled Castillo for many of the first six, showing a remarkable level of poise for someone with just fifteen previous pro fights. He even succeded in swelling up Castillo's eye a bit. Castillo, however, turned up the intensity in the seventh, landing some hard shots and after eight rounds, Punchstat numbers were close to a dead heat. Ngoudju had cause for optimism after winning the last round, but it was not to be. Still, at 15-1, his stock has risen immeasurably, while Castillo remains in position for a super fight vs. Ricky Hatton should Hatton win tonight's main event. source: hbo
