On June 16, 2001, Jose Luis Castillo made the fourth defence of his WBC lightweight crown against South Korean challenger Seung Ho Yuh at the Centro de Usos Multiples in Hermosillo, Mexico. The contest highlighted the vast gulf in experience between the 42-1 champion and his 13-1-1 challenger.
The disparity was evident from the opening bell. While both men initiated with jab-focused strategies, Castillo's superior versatility showed as he alternated between body and headshots. The champion's experience manifested in a brutal sequence midway through the first round when he planted a stiff jab to Yuh's midsection before unleashing a decisive left hook that floored the Korean. Though Yuh beat the count at seven, his night deteriorated rapidly.
The challenger's momentum was further compromised when he lost his footing during an exchange and twisted his knee. Castillo seized the moment by displaying the ruthless efficiency that had marked his championship reign. A precise left hook to the head sent Yuh down for the second time, prompting referee Jay Nady to halt proceedings.
The bout, promoted by Top Rank, lasted less than one full round and reinforced Castillo's dominance in the lightweight division. For Yuh, the gulf in class proved insurmountable, and his visible pre-fight nervousness proved prophetic.
