In a richly talented division, Celestino Caballero fits right in

                                 by Alden "The Kid" Chodash

 In boxing, especially lately, there is one lone division that delivers a tremendous amount of excitement to the public. The most notable division, needless to say, is the heavyweight division primarily because it was boxing's first division and its history goes all the way back to the reign of James Figg in the 18th century. Yet since then, the majority of boxing's greatest thrills have came from the lighter weight classes. And just recently, our greatest thrills came from divisions in which abnormally light fighters fight in such as Featherweight, Bantamweight, and Super-Bantamweight.

   Though the division can be traced back all the way to the 70's, exceptional fighters have entered, exited, and reigned else where. The first great fighter in the division was Wilfredo Gomez who was one of the handful of fighters to stay in the division.  Ever since, other great talents such as Erik Morales, Daniel Zaragoza and Oscar Larios reigned. In other words, the division has always been bright, and especially now while Israel Vasquez, Rafael Marquez, and Celestino Caballero all are seemingly willing to take on and unify their crowns.

    The latest showing of the trio was put on by the hard-hitting Panamanian physical freak in Caballero. After beating up Daniel Ponce De Leon in 2005 and demolishing foreign champion Somsak Sithchatchawal in three, Caballero took his game to Florida, in the Hard Rock, against Ricardo Castillo who was more than a worthy challenger. Castillo immediately proved to the champion that he was in there to win with a right in the third that wobbled caballero, and an uppercut in the fourth. However, Caballero proved to be no paper-champion. He overcame adversity and pounded Castillo in rounds five through nine until a right hand prompted Castillo to turn away which itself prompted a stoppage.

   Caballero stated to me afterwards that he was willing to take on the rest of the division, especially former victim Ponce De Leon. Caballero also stated that he injured his left leg in the third which was supported by a noticeable limp after the bout. Luckily for him, the minor injury didn't prove major during the bout.

   Rafael Marquez, who's destined to face Israel Vasquez in a rematch later this year, was also on the Panamanian's hit list. Though at first glance Caballero looks less than a test for Marquez, his variety of punches, and the power behind them will always make him a tough competitor. His 6' frame doesn't hurt him either.

    A match against Ponce De Leon makes the most sense however. Both men are unorthodox, wild and of course are punchers. Though Ponce De Leon's recent success could make the bout attractive I believe the same victor would emerge.

     I believe the television exposure will make Caballero a respected fighter. The fact that he's an entertaining fighter will keep the fans tuned, and his physical attributes as well as power will keep him winning.