39 years ago

Date: 19th April 1985

Title: WBC World Super-featherweight Title

Promoter: Don King Productions

Tv: HBO World Championship Boxing

Julio Cesar Chavez
( 45 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 129½ lbs

Ruben Castillo
( 60 - 4 - 2 )
Weight: 130 lbs

On Friday, 19th April 1985, the Forum in Inglewood, California hosted the WBC World Super-featherweight title match between the champion, Julio Cesar Chavez and seasoned challenger, Ruben Castillo. The event was promoted by Don King Productions.

Chavez was a rising boxing superstar with an unblemished record of 45-0-0 and was defending his WBC World Super-featherweight title against seasoned contender Castillo who had a substantial career record of 60-4-2. 

Chavez, originally from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, was making his first defense of the WBC title that he had won against Mario Martinez the previous September. Chavez was known for his aggressive fighting style and body punching. On the other side of the ring, Ruben Castillo, hailing from Bakersfield, California, was a veteran of the sport, having already had four unsuccessful attempts at world titles.

The fight was broadcast on HBO World Championship Boxing. Chavez weighed in at 129½ lbs, slightly under the super-featherweight limit, while Ruben Castillo hit the scales at exactly 130 lbs, the super-featherweight limit.

As the match unfolded, Chavez demonstrated his boxing prowess. His aggression and power proved too much for Castillo. The referee for the fight, Carlos Padilla, had to step in at 2:56 of the 6th round, giving the victory to Chavez by technical knockout (TKO). This victory solidified Chavez's position as a dominant force in the boxing world.

For Ruben Castillo, the fight against Chavez marked his fifth and final attempt at a world title. His career had seen him challenge for world titles on multiple occasions, including a loss to Alexis Arguello for the WBC World Super-featherweight title in January 1980 by 11th-round TKO, and a unanimous decision defeat against Salvador Sanchez for the WBC World Featherweight title three months later. Castillo also challenged WBC featherweight Titleist Juan LaPorte in February 1983, again losing on a unanimous decision.