Eliecer Castillo
Encyclopedia
Elieser Ramos Castillo is a Cuban professional boxer
in the heavyweight division.
(a fellow boxer) and Eliades and two other friends. Castillo strung together three inner tubes and at the age of 24, made his float to freedom; taking only the clothes on his back and some drinking water.
The group spent five days at sea before they drifted ashore in Panama
. Soon thereafter, they were returned to Guantanamo Bay
. After 18 months of processing the group was allowed to emigrate to the United States. He then moved to Miami, Florida
.
By his ninth fight, Castillo was already fighting for and winning professional titles as he demolished 85-fight veteran Bobby Crabtree in just two rounds to win the WBC Continental Americas title in 1996. A 12-round decision win over Artis Pendergrass two months later put the WBC Fecarbox title belt around his waist, and after four more victories during 1997 and 1998, Castillo appeared to be unstoppable.
On May 30, 1998, Castillo was matched up with highly regarded and unbeaten heavyweight contender Chris Byrd
. In a highly anticipated clash between two of the sport's rising young stars, Byrd outpointed Castillo over ten rounds in Atlantic City. Six months later, Castillo was back in the ring and back on another winning streak, taking care of seven straight opponents over the next two years.
On October 21, 2000, Castillo earned his first title belt as a heavyweight, over hard-hitting 300-pound Paea Wolfgramm during 12 tough rounds, to win the IBO Intercontinental crown. Castillo was considered the underdog when he took on 32-0 Andre Purlette
on January 4, 2002. Castillo dismantled the unbeaten Purlette, knocking him out in five rounds.
The momentum from the win over Purlette was lost when Castillo dropped a hard-fought 12 round decision to Charles Shufford
in October 2002, but eight months later, fighting at his lightest weight since 1997, Castillo bounced back like a champion, knocking out former US Olympian Lawrence Clay-Bey in nine rounds to win the NABF championship.
Castillo's next fight was dubbed: David vs- Goliath as he was pinned up against Corey Sanders, who weighed 85 pounds more than the Cuban southpaw. Castillo retained his NABF belt, beating Sanders. Castillo later knocked out former Cruiserweight World Champion Uriah Grant
in the first round.
A few months later Castillo faced a defeat during a 12 round war to DaVarryl Williamson
on April 17, 2004, a bout in which Castillo sent Williamson to the canvas in round eight. A close decision loss to Kendrick Releford in October 2004 surprised boxing fans, but with a new attitude for 2005, Castillo was ready to get back into the title mix. On April 22, 2005, he faced crafty veteran Otis Tisdale. It was a bout that looked to be competitive on paper, but once the bell rang, it was all Castillo, as he stopped his foe at the 2:43 mark of the opening round.
On October 9, 2009 after a year and six months he fought journeyman Charles Davis and was defeated by unanimous decision after six rounds.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the heavyweight division.
Amateur career
Elieser Castillo Ramos was part of the legendary Cuban boxing program before he defected to the United States.Defecting to the US
In 1994, Castillo escaped from Cuba on a raft with his brothers EliseoEliseo Castillo
Eliseo Castillo is a professional boxer. He is the younger brother of Heavyweight boxer Elieser Castillo.-Amateur career:...
(a fellow boxer) and Eliades and two other friends. Castillo strung together three inner tubes and at the age of 24, made his float to freedom; taking only the clothes on his back and some drinking water.
The group spent five days at sea before they drifted ashore in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. Soon thereafter, they were returned to Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
. After 18 months of processing the group was allowed to emigrate to the United States. He then moved to Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
Professional career
On February 20, 1996, Castillo made his professional boxing debut in Miami, Florida with a first-round TKO win over Kerry Parks. In fact, four of Castillo's first five pro opponents didn’t make it out of the opening round, and with an aggressive style and south paw power; Elieser quickly became a fan favorite in his adopted home of South Florida.By his ninth fight, Castillo was already fighting for and winning professional titles as he demolished 85-fight veteran Bobby Crabtree in just two rounds to win the WBC Continental Americas title in 1996. A 12-round decision win over Artis Pendergrass two months later put the WBC Fecarbox title belt around his waist, and after four more victories during 1997 and 1998, Castillo appeared to be unstoppable.
On May 30, 1998, Castillo was matched up with highly regarded and unbeaten heavyweight contender Chris Byrd
Chris Byrd
Chris Cornelius Byrd is a retired and former professional boxer. He is the former WBO and IBF heavyweight champion. His nickname is "Rapid Fire".- Early life :...
. In a highly anticipated clash between two of the sport's rising young stars, Byrd outpointed Castillo over ten rounds in Atlantic City. Six months later, Castillo was back in the ring and back on another winning streak, taking care of seven straight opponents over the next two years.
On October 21, 2000, Castillo earned his first title belt as a heavyweight, over hard-hitting 300-pound Paea Wolfgramm during 12 tough rounds, to win the IBO Intercontinental crown. Castillo was considered the underdog when he took on 32-0 Andre Purlette
Andre Purlette
Andre Purlette is a Guyanese boxer and was a highly touted prospect in the heavyweight division.Known as "Tombstone", Purlette turned pro in 1992 and won his first 32 bouts, including a victory over Jimmy Thunder. His career was sidetracked in 2001 when he faced Eliecer Castillo and was KO'd in...
on January 4, 2002. Castillo dismantled the unbeaten Purlette, knocking him out in five rounds.
The momentum from the win over Purlette was lost when Castillo dropped a hard-fought 12 round decision to Charles Shufford
Charles Shufford
Charles Shufford is a professional boxer.He had 35 amateur fights at superheavyweight and in 1996 beat Lance Whitaker but lost to Joe Mesi and Lovy Page....
in October 2002, but eight months later, fighting at his lightest weight since 1997, Castillo bounced back like a champion, knocking out former US Olympian Lawrence Clay-Bey in nine rounds to win the NABF championship.
Castillo's next fight was dubbed: David vs- Goliath as he was pinned up against Corey Sanders, who weighed 85 pounds more than the Cuban southpaw. Castillo retained his NABF belt, beating Sanders. Castillo later knocked out former Cruiserweight World Champion Uriah Grant
Uriah Grant
Uriah Grant was a professional boxer. Nicknamed "Bossman", Grant was not a force in his weight classes, but was a notable contender who briefly captured the IBF Cruiserweight Title.-Pro career:...
in the first round.
A few months later Castillo faced a defeat during a 12 round war to DaVarryl Williamson
DaVarryl Williamson
DaVarryl Williamson is an American boxer originally from Washington, D.C., but later a resident of Aurora, Colorado. His ring nickname is "Touch of Sleep". He has a current professional record of 26-6, 22KO...
on April 17, 2004, a bout in which Castillo sent Williamson to the canvas in round eight. A close decision loss to Kendrick Releford in October 2004 surprised boxing fans, but with a new attitude for 2005, Castillo was ready to get back into the title mix. On April 22, 2005, he faced crafty veteran Otis Tisdale. It was a bout that looked to be competitive on paper, but once the bell rang, it was all Castillo, as he stopped his foe at the 2:43 mark of the opening round.
On October 9, 2009 after a year and six months he fought journeyman Charles Davis and was defeated by unanimous decision after six rounds.