Miguel Castellini vs. Eddie Gazo 'The Dullest Bout Ever'

[Rover]

Coming out for Round 11, there was still a 'Sliver-of-Hope' for the Champion to save his WBA Championship,
but he would need to 'sweep' the last 5-Rounds to do it.

But, the Champion showed absolutely 'No Heart', and after throwing a decent left-right-left to open Round 11,
the Challenger came back quickly with another awkward left-right to send the Champion off-balance.

This seemed to drain Castellini of his 'will-to-fight', and he failed to counter-back with anything half-way decent.

The Challenger was not overly aggressive either, and was content to just grapple and hold, while apparently resting
during an 'Even' Round 11.
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Rounds 12 was fought in the same pattern, with the Champion again coming out and throwing a left-right-left
to start the Round, and then going into a 'non-action mode' for the rest of the Round while looking for a single-punch.

The Challenger, again fought in a non-aggressive style, other than moving forward occasionally and getting in close
to grapple while throwing an occassional left jab, while pushing the Champion off-balance.
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Before Round 13, Eddie Gazo's corner was 'cued' by one of the Ringside Officials that he was well ahead on the Scorecards,
and just needed to finish out the last 3-Rounds, and he would get the Decision.

Suprisingly, the Champion fought with 'no desperation' and allowed himself to be mauled by the Challenger, as Gazo
just moved in close and swarmed over Castellini with light left jabs and short right hands, while grabbing him and clinching.

The Champion didn't even try to fight back.
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The last '2-Rounds' (Rounds 14 and 15} were probably the 'two' most inept 'non-action' Championship Rounds ever
fought, as Eddie Gazo moved around the Ring in a clumsy defensive-manner to protect his points-lead.

The Champion, showed 'No Heart' and looked like he was wearing 'cement shoes' as he did not make any aggressive
charges in attempting to salvage his Championship.
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Nicaraguan Challenger - Eddie Gazo raises his hands after Round 15 in front of 34,000 Nicaraguan fans at the
Estadio Nacionale' in Managua, Nicaragua, while a 'dejected' Champion - Miguel Angel Castellini bows his head
in disgust and shame.

The 26 1/2 year-old {6-1 Betting Underdog} used his strength and endurance to 'outpoint' the 30 year-old
WBA Light Middleweight Champion.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... DTKZUIUQNA

Which official told Gazo he was ahead?

[Rover]

On Paper, this looked to be a 'Walk-in-the-Park-of-Nicaragua" for the Champion - Miguel Angel Castellini.

Miguel Angel Castellini {'Cloroformo'} was a well-schooled ring technician from La Pampa, Argentina.

Not only a smart tactical boxer, but one who was well-muscled and physically strong. His nickname of
'Cloroformo' was as a result of his many 'one-punch' Knockouts, where he put his opponents to
sleep {62 Wins with 43 KO's}.

An experienced boxer (12-years with '77-bouts'), very few in the game had his ring smarts. And Managed
by Tito Lecture of Argentina, Miguel was had World-Class support.

Miguel had won the WBA Light-Middleweight Championship on October 8, 1976 - where defeated Champion
and Spaniard - Jose Duran in Spain by a tough 15-Round Split-Decision.

Looking for a relatively easy 'first' Title Defense, in December 1976 Miguel signed to face #10 WBA-ranked
Eddie Gazo of Nicaragua for a March 5, 1977 bout, to be held in the Challengers home country.

Miguel was to receive a $60,000 fight purse, plus Ancillary Fee's to Argentina and Italy which would net Miguel
an additional $15,000.

Miguel was installed as a solid '6-1' Betting-Favorite to retain his Championship.

How'd Gazo go from #10 to #5?

[Rover]

My error in 'not explaining'.

Eddie was ranked #5 WBA and #10 WBC at Light Middleweight.

Nicaraguan Boxing Commissioner - Jose Wenceleas Mayoraga had a running
tab of the Scorecards.

Remember, this bout was 'controlled' by the Nicaraguan (Anastasio Somoza) Government,
and over 400 National Guard members were in attendance {with Machine Guns).

Miguel Angel Castellini in an after the bout Press Conference.

At first, Miguel said that Eddie Gazo was a good fighter and that he would be a good Champion.

His explanation for his 'poor performance' was due to the fact, that he just couldn't get motivated in
the fight, and he couldn't get his punches off.

Interview;
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... r9z92yBKyw

Sounds like the decision was legit.

[Rover]

All accounts say it was 'more than fair'.

Referee - Jay Edson (USA)......... 149-144 {6-1-8 in Rounds}
Judge - Juan Barde (Argentina).. 148-144 {6-2-7 in Rounds}
Judge - Ricardo Rizo (Panama)... 148-143 {7-2-6 in Rounds}

Miguel Angel Castellini only controlled Rounds 3 and 9.

Eddie Gazo took Rounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 10.

Rounds 11 thru 15 were 'Even' on all Scorecards.
{Except, Round 13, which Ricardo Rizo scored 10-9 for Eddie Gazo}

Wasn't Rizo Nicaraguan?

[Rover]

A few weeks after his loss to Eddie Gazo,

Miguel Angel Castellini found out that the Nicaraguan was going to receive a $140,000 fight purse
to face 'worn-out' former Champion - Kiochi Wajima in Japan.

Miguel was supposed to fight Kiochi Wajima after he 'defeated' Eddie Gazo, but was only to receive $60,000.

Miguel went 'beserk' when he found out about the 'astronomical fight purse' and claimed that the bout
in Nicaragua was 'fixed', and that Eddie Gazo was nothing more than a 'mediocre fighter' who had connections.

Miguel then asked for a 'rematch', but the WBA Championsho Committee brushed off Miguel Angel Castellini
and Tito Lectoure's demands.

Why would Castellini have agreed to fix the fight?

[Rover]

Just Sour Grapes on the part of Miguel Angel Castellini,

When he found out that Eddie Gazo was getting $140,000 instead of $60,000 {Typical Fight Purse}.

New WBA President Fernando 'Mandy' Galindez of Venezuela disregarded Miguel's demand for a 'rematch'.

Miguel left his 'fight game' in Argentina when he fought Eddie Gazo in March 1977 in Nicaragua.

Other rumors were, that he was 'Full-of-Wine' after winning the Championship in October 1976, and he
had spent 5-Months by 'drinking and celebrating' his victory.

I'd read his name was Victor Mandry Galindez. I only remember it because I thought "Victor Galiindez, like the boxer.".

[Rover]

The 'Skinny' on Miguel Angel Castellini, who had the nickname 'Cloroformo'

He was one of the most popular boxers in Argentina.

He was also a key sparring-partner for World Middleweight Champion - Carlos Monzon,
especially for the Gratien Tonna bout that was held in Paris, France in December 1975.

After he won the WBA Light Middleweight Championship in October 1976 over Jose Duran
in Spain, Miguel was honored as a Hero in Argentina.

Miguel, along with Champions - Carlos Monzon, Victor Galindez, and soon to be Champion
Miguel Angel Cuello, were the Top Argentinian Sports Celebrities.

In sports interviews, Miguel stated that he planned on making several WBA Light Middleweight
Title defenses in 1977, before moving up to Middleweight when Carlos Monzon retired in
later-1977.

At {Age 30 years-old}, Miguel was in excellent physical condition, and was a strong and gifted
boxer with brilliant footwork. And, he carried 'Knockout Power' in either hand, as his record stated
of 62-5-10 {43 KO's}.

Manager - Tito Lectoure had Miguel lined for bouts with Eddie Gazo (for $60,000 in March 1977 in Nicaragua)
and Koichi Wajima (for $60,000 in June 1977 in Japan). Both bouts appeared to be relatively 'easy' Title Defenses
for the skilled and power-punching Argentinian.

Ah well, appearances can be deceiving.

[Rover]

Too much 'Wine and Dance' in Buenos Aires.

At Age 30, the body doesn't recover as well...........

Plus, Miguel took the 'awkward' Eddie Gazo very lightly in pre-fight training.

In an Argentinian Press Interview, Miguel said that Eddie Gazo was 'not dazzling',
'not technical' and 'not a big puncher'. But, he had a lot of 'spirit'.

The WBA wanted the bout in Nicaragua, as the Promoters were paying the 'gratuities' for all
the WBA Execuctives, plus additional niceties.

Tito Lectoure got the $60,000 Fight Purse for Miguel, plus the Ancillary Rights to
Argentina and Italy, which was worth another $15,000.

On paper, it looked like an easy 'Cash-and-Carry' bout.

Was Castellini punished for his "fixed" comment?

[Rover]

In the Spain Newspaper - ABC De Sevilla

Miguel claimed he was 'robbed'.

But the Newspaper Report account stated, that he was 'lacklustre' and vulnerable in his bout with Eddie Gazo.
And he had 'mental absence' both before, and during the bout.

Eddie Gazo was a 'poor quality boxer', but showed a 'desire' to win, something the Champion from
Argentina did not have {which was a lack of heart}.

Miguel retired after the bout, then wanted a rematch {which was a no go}.

Then, he asked for a bout with Eddie Gazo after he defended against Koichi Wajima in June 1977.

But the Argentinians could not match the fight purses being tossed around in both Japan and South Korea.

http://hemeroteca.abcdesevilla.es/prens ... 42_low.jpg

Ah, he said he was robbed. I was under the impression he'd claimed it'd been a fixed fight where he'd let himself be beaten.

[Rover]

Miguel was all over the place.

He was 'out-of-it' mentally at that time, and he was enjoying 'Wine' with his
hot 'bleached blonde beauty'.

Not sure where he went in the WBA Ratings after that bout, I'll have to check.
I know the WBC dropped him out of their Top 10 at Light-Middleweight.

From what I have, when he came back on November 3, 1977 in Denmark to
face Ayub Kalule, it was a WBA Elimination bout to face Eddie Gazo.

Ayub Kalule 'blasted' him out in 3, and the Ugandan was supposed to face
Eddie Gazo in January or February 1978.

Kalule got screwed. I read a Sports Illustrated article from March 1981 about how he got passed over again and again for a title shot.