By Tony Ronson
With the recent resurgent in Aussie boxing with George Kambosos Jr, Tim Tszyu and the Moloney Brothers, I wanted to ask him some of his favourite Aussie moments and fighter in his lifetime.
Tony Ronson: His Sean, what are you doing these days.Sean Castle: I’ve been so flat-out raising teenagers and working in the executive of a number of schools. So, for I’ve stepped out of regular boxing writing and reporting for a while, but I hope to be back soon.Tony Ronson: I always enjoyed reading your articles and stories and thought I would ask you what your favourite Aussie boxing moments are, a top five or so.
Sean Castle: So hard for to limit to just five. But I always must go straight to the Marrickville Mauler, Jeff Fenech. I loved everything about him. People often refer to the robbery when he was robbed of his fourth world title in a fourth weight division. And the discussion often goes back to beating Satoshi Skingaki for the IBF Batamweight world title in just his seventh fight or his two other world titles. But for me I can’t go past his beat downs of a bunch of really tough South Americans. All rugged, very experienced fighters with great records. Names such as Mario Martinez, Marcos Villasana, Osmar Alfredo Avila, Victor Callejas and Carlos Zarate. Many a story there.
Tony Ronson: Wow, many names there haven’t seen or heard in many years. Ok gives us number two.
Sean Castle: This time I go to an overseas, naturalised Australian. The legendary Kostya Tszyu. Tough as they come. Carried sleeping tablets in my hands. Deadly and tough. Aussies loved his reserved and humble manner. Especially when he dealt with super cocky Zab Judah in two rounds. What a moment. But my favourite Tszyu fight is when he came back from his defeat to Vince Phillips to beat the super tough Mexican Miguel Angel Gonzalez to win the WBC Junior Welterweight world title. Gonzalez never recovered from the beating.
Tony Ronson: I remember that Gonzalez fight clearly. Brutal! You often wrote and spoke about the Middleweight champion, Daniel Geale. Tell us about him.
Sean Castle: The Real Deal! Totally underrated and underappreciated. Great guy. Humble. Did something many people can never achieve. Won two world middleweight titles, the IBF and WBA. Both times went to Germany, notorious for dodgy decisions, just ask Danny Green, beating Sebastian Sylvester and Felix Sturm on home turf. Unheard of! Also was a Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist. Also beat Anthony Mundine to defend his world title.
Tony Ronson: I remember reading one of your stories on Vic Darchinyan, the Armenian-born, naturalised Australian. You loved watching him fight.
Sean Castle: I certainly did. Fearless and mad and not surprising he got knocked out a few times. World champion amongst multiple divisions but his peak really was when he beat two legendary Mexicans in Cristian Mijares and Jorge Arce in front of very hostile pro-Mexican crowds in the USA. Knocked them both out in undisputed world title fights at Super Flyweight. Vic was really a heavyweight trapped in a Super Flyweights body. Always turned up with a fearless attitude.
Tony Ronson: You have really walked me down memory lane. You got another in closing?
Sean Castle: I could mention so many more. Anthony Mundine and his achievements, Danny Green, Billy Dib, Michael Katsidsis, Sakio Bika, Lucas Browne. So many big moments. But for me, 1989, Trump Casino, Atlantic City. Jeff “Hitman” Harding”, wearing down and beating Dennis Andries for the WBC Light Heavyweight title. Way behind on the cards and with a punchers chance. He wore Andries down, especially from the 10th round onwards. Knocked him out in the 12th and final round. Great win. Super memories. Really a real-life Rocky story.
Tony Ronson: Sean Castle, thanks for the catch up. Always worth the chat. Let’s do it again so. So more to discuss.
Sean Castle: Anytime!
