Samuel Castellanos’ recent knockout win was paved by his many trips to Bozy’s Dungeon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Castellanos - a welterweight prospect from Hollister, California -knocked out Clayton Hibbert with the first right-hand he threw. The shot sent Hibbert through the ropes to produce a first-round knockout on last Saturday's ProBox TV show from Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
The victory - which came in just 29 seconds - was the latest product of time spent sparring world champions since he was 16 years old. The list includes Devin Haney, Raymond Muratalla, Keyshawn Davis, Jaron Ennis, and Andy Cruz.
Yet, leaving the small town of Hollister to visit Derek “Bozy” Ennis’ gym in Philadelphia has been a game-changer for Castellano, 3-0 (2 KOs).
“That has helped us more than anything else,” Charles Perales, Castellanos ’ trainer, told BoxingScene. “I go to his gym and I sit back, and Bozy trains Trouble. That is the coach that I allow Trouble to learn as much as he can from.”
The trips began when he was 17, right after Castellanos - better known in the ring as 'Trouble' - turned professional in Mexico.
“He has done roughly 50 rounds with Jaron Ennis,” Perales said. “Bozy and his style just enhanced us. We have similar styles, and that is why we get along.”
The expensive cross-country trips the team has made paid off.
Soft-spoken during fight week, Castellanos showed his personality in the ring. He spent more time celebrating the win than the 29 seconds it took to get to that point, jumping up and down after being announced the winner and playing to the crowd once he had his opponent hurt.
“It was short and sweet,” Perales said of the performance. “I am laid back, and Trouble has some of my demeanor, but when he gets in the ring, he is an entertainer; it is like he is another person.”
Perales, who has trained Castellanos since he was a child, has high hopes for the boxer, especially given the world-class experience he has been in with.
“I see him becoming a multiple division world champion,” Perales said. “As long as we keep the girls away, nothing will stop him.”
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
