20 years ago, Javier Castillejo became world champion
On this day, 20 years ago Francisco Javier Castillejo Rodríguez, known as the “Lince de Parla”, became champion of the world.
Castillejo is the most decorated Spanish boxer, with an outstanding career of 21 years in which he fought 71 occasions, with only eight defeats. Of those eight setbacks, seven were with world champions.
That night in the bullring of Leganes, Madrid, Spain, the ‘Lynx Parla’ challenged Keith Mullings, the then world champion also known as ‘Brooklyn Assassin’, but 12 rounds later Francisco Javier managed to gain the belt.
Castillejo, in an exhibition of technique and courage, beat him by points to proclaim himself super welterweight champion of the World Boxing Council. Spain was once again at the top of the world of boxing after a historic night in which the whole country was cheering him on.
At the end of the fight, the Madrilenian addressed the audience to thank them for their support and said: “You already have a world champion.” Later he said that he had won the match with intelligence, thanks to his manager Ricardo Sánchez Atocha, commenting: “I have proved boxing is also an intelligence sport. ”
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