BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Bakersfield boxing great Ruben Castillo, a former four-time world title challenger, has died.
Castillo was born in Lubbock, Texas, but he was raised largely in Bakersfield.
He turned pro at age 17 and he won his first 43 consecutive featherweight fights before moving up in weight to junior lightweight and losing a close, memorable bout to the brilliant Nicaraguan, Alexis Arguello.
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Castillo fought a succession of boxing greats, including Julio Cesar Chavez. He retired in 1997 with 67 wins, 10 losses, 2 draws and 35 knockouts. But he also had a great second career as a broadcaster, exhibiting a sense of humor not always associated with such a brutal sport…