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Javier Castillejo
Javier Castillejo.jpg
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Real name Francisco Javier Castillejo Rodríguez
Nickname(s) El Lince de Parla
("The Lynx of Parla")
Rated at
Height 5 ft 11 in
Reach 70 in
Nationality Spanish
Born (1968-03-22) 22 March 1968 (age 56)
Parla, Madrid, Spain
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 72
Wins 62
Wins by KO 43
Losses 8
Draws 1
No contests 1

Francisco Javier Castillejo Rodríguez (born 22 March 1968), commonly known as Javier Castillejo, is a Spanish former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2009. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the WBC and lineal light-middleweight titles from 1999 to 2001, the WBC light-middleweight title again in 2005, and the WBA middleweight title from 2006 to 2007. At regional level he held the European light-middleweight title twice between 1994 and 1998, and the European Union middleweight title in 2002.

Professional career

Castillejo made his professional debut on 22 July 1988, when he outpointed Ángel Díez over six rounds in Madrid. He had an immediate rematch with Díez, on 2 September of the same year. Their second fight resulted in Castillejo's first knockout win, when he beat Diez in the fourth round. On 4 November, he had his first fight outside Madrid, and his first knockout win in the first round, when he beat Juan Perez in Torrejón.

Castillejo had four more wins, before he was defeated for the first time. On 19 August 1989, he lost an eight-round decision to Del Bryan, in Benidorm. But he followed that loss with a streak of twenty two victories in a row.

Among the most notable wins during that streak were a fourth-round knockout on 19 October 1990, of Alfonzo Redondo, which gave Castillejo the Spanish Welterweight Championship, at Leganés. On 5 July 1991, he retained that national championship, with another fourth-round knockout victory, this time against Domingo Sanchez, in Lugo. On 10 April 1992, Castillejo got his first win when he knocked out former IBF lightweight champion, Puerto Rican Harry Arroyo, in three rounds at Leganes. He followed that victory with another win against former WBC light welterweight champion Saoul Mamby of Jamaica, by an eight-round decision on 15 May, at Bilbao. On 12 December of that year, Castillejo added the WBC's Mundo Hispano light middleweight title, when he defeated Enrique Areco by a twelve-round decision in Oviedo.

First title shot

Despite the fact that he had not fought outside Spain as a professional yet and thus he had little international fan recognition as a boxer, Castillejo received his first world title try, when he challenged Julio César Vásquez of Argentina, for Vazquez's WBA light middleweight title, on 24 April 1993, also in Leganes. Vazquez outpointed him over 12 rounds, ending his 22 fight winning streak.

After defending his Mundo Hispano regional title with success in a rematch with Victor Hugo Sclarandi on 29 October of that year by a knockout in five rounds, Castillejo finally had his first fight abroad when he beat Bernard Razzano by a knockout in six rounds, at Dijon, France, to conquer the European light middleweight title. He defended the title successfully four times, then lost it, on 3 January 1995 to the then WBA light middleweight champion Laurent Boudouani, in Épernay, France, by knockout in the ninth round.

His next fight was a victory by disqualification in six rounds on 14 July against Carlos Rocha Tovar in Seville. The victory against Tovar was followed by a rematch with Boudouani, who would once again defeat Castillejo, this time around by a twelve-round decision, at Levallois, 6 January 1996.

Castillejo then won six more fights in a row before fighting for a world title again. He regained the EBU light middleweight title by knocking out the former WBA welterweight title challenger, Ahmed Dottuev, in round twelve at Suffolk, England, on 2 July 1998.

First world title

On 29 January 1999, Castillejo got his second chance at becoming a world champion. He outpointed Lineal and WBC light middleweight champion Keith Mullings over twelve rounds to join a handful of world champions to come from Spain. Despite some protests from Mullings' management team, the judges' decision remained, and Castillejo held the WBC title.

Losing the title to De La Hoya

After five defenses, where Castillejo retained the title, a fight was set between him and Oscar De La Hoya. It was Castillejo's first big time, Pay Per View event. Many fans, perhaps ignoring Castillejo's achievements in Europe and as defendind world champion, regarded Castillejo as another stepping stone in De La Hoya's career. Castillejo commented to this regard, saying on a press conference before the fight, which was held in Las Vegas, that "(he) didn't come to Las Vegas to do tourism, but to defend (his) title". Castillejo lasted the twelve round distance with De La Hoya, but was sent to the canvas seconds before the fight ended, and lost a unanimous twelve-round decision and his world title, on 23 June 2001.

After six months, Castillejo returned to the boxing ring, beating the well regarded Xavier Moya by a knockout in five rounds, On 11 January 2002, to win the vacant European Community's Junior Middleweight title, in Barcelona.

On 12 July 2002, he partially regained the WBC light middleweight title, when he beat Roman Karmazin by a twelve-round unanimous decision in Madrid, for the WBC's "Interim" title. This interim recognition was later retired from him, however, because he did not fight the WBC's recognized champion, which at the time was Shane Mosley, who had suffered an injury and was unable to box for the period being.

Castillejo then won four fights in a row, all by knockout.

He fought Fernando Vargas, in a fight that was supposed to be for the WBA's vacant light middleweight title, on 20 August 2005, in Chicago. It was decided ultimately to make the bout a ten-round affair instead of a world championship fight. Despite being dropped in round three, Castillejo was able to last ten rounds with fellow former world light middleweight champion Vargas, but he lost a ten-round decision to the Mexican-American.

Winning a middleweight title

On 15 July 2006, Castillejo sprang back on the boxing scene by defeating younger Felix Sturm of Germany to seize the WBA middleweight belt in an exciting fight. Sturm, making his first title defense, was headed to a one-sided win until Castillejo (61–6, 41 knockouts) caught him with a left hook against the ropes with 13 seconds left in the 10th Round.

Castillejo, then hit Sturm (27–2, 11 knockouts) with three uppercuts before the referee called the fight, making Castillejo, 38 at the time of his upset victory, the oldest man to win a recognized version on the World Middleweight Championship. He lost his title in his first defence against Argentine Mariano Natalio Carrera via a disputed 11th-round TKO. Later on, Carrera tested positive for Clenbuterol and was suspended for 6 months by the WBA, thus Castillejo regained his title on 23 February. [1]. He lost the title 28 April 2007 in a rematch against Felix Sturm. He fought Mariano Natalio Carrera again on 13 November 2007, this time winning by KO in the 6th round.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
72 fights 62 wins 8 losses
By knockout 43 2
By decision 18 6
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
72 Draw 62–8–1 (1) Pablo Navascues MD 10 4 Apr 2009 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
71 Loss 62–8 (1) Sebastian Sylvester KO 12 (12), 1:53 12 Apr 2008 Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg, Germany For European middleweight title
70 Win 62–7 (1) Mariano Natalio Carrera KO 6 (12), 2:14 13 Nov 2007 Hohenstaufenhalle, Göppingen, Germany
69 Loss 61–7 (1) Felix Sturm UD 12 28 Apr 2007 König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany Lost WBA middleweight title
68 NC 61–6 (1) Mariano Natalio Carrera TKO 11 (12), 1:53 2 Dec 2006 Estrel Hotel, Berlin, Germany WBA (Regular) middleweight title at stake;
Originally a TKO win for Carrera, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
67 Win 61–6 Felix Sturm TKO 10 (12), 2:47 15 Jul 2006 Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany Won WBA (Regular) middleweight title
66 Win 60–6 Luis Carmona TKO 2 (10) 3 Feb 2006 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
65 Win 59–6 Presente Brito PTS 8 4 Nov 2005 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
64 Loss 58–6 Fernando Vargas UD 10 20 Aug 2005 Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois, US
63 Win 58–5 Enrique Campos TKO 5 (8) 11 Jun 2004 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
62 Win 57–5 Genaro Rios TKO 3 (10) 16 Apr 2004 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
61 Win 56–5 Ignacio Solar TKO 2 (10), 2:26 12 Sep 2003 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
60 Win 55–5 Diego Castillo TKO 1 (12) 9 May 2003 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain Retained WBC interim light-middleweight title
59 Win 54–5 Roman Karmazin UD 12 12 Jul 2002 Club Polideportivo, Parla, Spain Won vacant WBC interim light-middleweight title
58 Win 53–5 Pierre Moreno TKO 7 (10) 26 Apr 2002 Palau Blaugrana, Barcelona, Spain Retained European Union light-middleweight title
57 Win 52–5 Xavier Moya TKO 5 (10) 11 Jan 2002 Palau Blaugrana, Barcelona, Spain Won inaugural European Union light-middleweight title
56 Loss 51–5 Oscar De La Hoya UD 12 23 Jun 2001 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US Lost WBC light-middleweight title
55 Win 51–4 Javier Martinez Rodriguez TKO 4 (12), 1:43 21 Oct 2000 Salon 21, Mexico City, Mexico Retained WBC light-middleweight title
54 Win 50–4 Tony Marshall UD 12 21 Jul 2000 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain Retained WBC light-middleweight title
53 Win 49–4 Juan Rondon TKO 3 (10) 14 Apr 2000 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
52 Win 48–4 Mohamed Boualleg KO 8 (10) 17 Mar 2000 Ciudad Real, Spain
51 Win 47–4 Michael Rask TKO 7 (12), 1:41 17 Dec 1999 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain Retained WBC light-middleweight title
50 Win 46–4 Paolo Roberto TKO 7 (12), 1:47 10 Sep 1999 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain Retained WBC light-middleweight title
49 Win 45–4 Humberto Aranda TKO 4 (12), 2:52 14 May 1999 Pabellón Europa, Leganés, Spain Retained WBC light-middleweight title
48 Win 44–4 Keith Mullings MD 12 29 Jan 1999 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain Won WBC light-middleweight title
47 Win 43–4 Cristinel Acatrinei TKO 2 (8) 16 Oct 1998 La Cubierta, Leganés, Spain
46 Win 42–4 Ahmet Dottuev TKO 12 (12), 1:38 2 Jul 1998 Corn Exchange, Ipswich, England Won vacant European light-middleweight title
45 Win 41–4 Fernando Jose Riera PTS 10 18 Mar 1997 Valencia, Spain Won Spanish light-middleweight title
44 Win 40–4 Juan Ramon Medina TKO 8 (12) 12 Jul 1996 Hernani, Spain Won WBC Mundo Hispano light-middleweight title
43 Win 39–4 Tibor Horvath TKO 4 (6) 16 May 1996 Madrid, Spain
42 Win 38–4 Stefan Driscu TKO 2 (8) 7 Mar 1996 Madrid, Spain
41 Loss 37–4 Laurent Boudouani UD 12 6 Jan 1996 Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France For European light-middleweight title
40 Win 37–3 Carlos Rocha Tomar DQ 6 (6) 14 Jul 1995 Seville, Spain
39 Loss 36–3 Laurent Boudouani TKO 9 (12) 3 Jan 1995 Épernay, France Lost European light-middleweight title
38 Win 36–2 Ludovic Proto TKO 8 (12) 23 Jul 1994 Boiro, Spain Retained European light-middleweight title
37 Win 35–2 Patrick Vungbo PTS 12 29 May 1994 Leganés, Spain Retained European light-middleweight title
36 Win 34–2 Valentino Manca TKO 3 (12) 25 Mar 1994 Córdoba, Spain Retained European light-middleweight title
35 Win 33–2 Santo Colombo TKO 3 (12) 19 Feb 1994 Leganés, Spain Retained European light-middleweight title
34 Win 32–2 Bernard Razzano RTD 6 (12) 11 Jan 1994 Dijon, France Won European light-middleweight title
33 Win 31–2 Hugo Daniel Sclarandi KO 5 (12) 29 Oct 1993 Leganés, Spain Retained WBC Mundo Hispano light-middleweight title
32 Win 30–2 Javier Rivera TKO 4 (8) 25 Jun 1993 Leganés, Spain
31 Loss 29–2 Julio César Vásquez UD 12 24 Apr 1993 Polideportivo Parquesur Sport, Leganés, Spain For WBA light-middleweight title
30 Win 29–1 Jesus Carlos Velez PTS 8 26 Mar 1993 Leganés, Spain
29 Win 27–1 Enrique Areco UD 12 12 Dec 1992 Palacio Municipal de Deportes, Oviedo, Spain Won vacant WBC Mundo Hispano light-middleweight title
28 Win 27–1 Antonio Campbell KO 3 (8) 13 Oct 1992 Leganés, Spain
27 Win 26–1 Vasile Citea PTS 8 17 Jul 1992 Leganés, Spain
26 Win 25–1 Jorge Sclarandi UD 8 19 Jun 1992 Leganés, Spain
25 Win 24–1 Saoul Mamby PTS 8 15 May 1992 Bilbao, Spain
24 Win 23–1 Harry Arroyo TKO 3 (8) 10 Apr 1992 Leganés, Spain
23 Win 22–1 Edison Martinez KO 3 (8) 14 Mar 1992 Leganés, Spain
22 Win 21–1 Lindon Scarlett PTS 8 8 Feb 1992 Polideportivo Parquesur Sport, Leganés, Spain
21 Win 20–1 Gejza Stipak RTD 4 (8), 3:00 17 Jan 1992 Leganés, Spain
20 Win 19–1 Patrick Vungbo TKO 5 (8) 6 Dec 1991 Leganés, Spain
19 Win 18–1 Domingo Sanchez TKO 4 (10) 5 Jul 1991 Lugo, Spain Retained Spanish welterweight title
18 Win 17–1 Juan Rosario TKO 6 (8) 18 May 1991 Madrid, Spain
17 Win 16–1 Eric Dindaine PTS 8 21 Dec 1990 Leganés, Spain
16 Win 15–1 Alfonso Redondo TKO 4 (10) 19 Oct 1990 Leganés, Spain Won Spanish welterweight title
15 Win 14–1 Jose Salinas KO 1 (8) 17 Aug 1990 Almería, Spain
14 Win 13–1 Claudio Salgado TKO 1 (6) 14 Jul 1990 Parla, Spain
13 Win 12–1 Mateo Valdez TKO 2 (8) 31 May 1990 Madrid, Spain
12 Win 11–1 Felix Rodriguez TKO 5 (8) 5 May 1990 Zaragoza, Spain
11 Win 10–1 Carlos Tavarez TKO 2 (6) 16 Feb 1990 Bilbao, Spain
10 Win 9–1 Louie Antuna PTS 6 30 Dec 1989 Santoña, Spain
9 Win 8–1 Jimmy Bartes TKO 2 (6) 16 Nov 1989 Madrid, Spain
8 Loss 7–1 Del Bryan PTS 8 19 Aug 1989 Benidorm, Spain
7 Win 7–0 Victor Carvalho PTS 6 29 Jul 1989 Madrid, Spain
6 Win 6–0 Juan Antonio Lopez PTS 8 14 Jun 1989 Palacio de Deportes, Madrid, Spain
5 Win 5–0 Modesto Villardell TKO 1 (6) 23 Feb 1989 Madrid, Spain
4 Win 4–0 Santiago Vasquez PTS 6 19 Nov 1988 Irun, Spain
3 Win 3–0 Juan Perez TKO 1 (4) 4 Nov 1988 Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain
2 Win 2–0 Angel Diez TKO 4 (6) 2 Sep 1988 San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Spain
1 Win 1–0 Angel Diez PTS 6 22 Jul 1988 Madrid, Spain

Pay-per-view bouts

Date Fight Billing Buys Network
June 23, 2001
De La Hoya vs. Castillejo The Quest 400,000 HBO

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Javier Castillejo para niños

  • List of light-middleweight boxing champions
  • List of middleweight boxing champions
  • List of WBA world champions
  • List of WBC world champions
  • List of European Boxing Union light-middleweight champions
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