His opponent provided the perfect measuring stick. Castellani was the No. 1 ranked middleweight contender after falling short in a title challenge against Bobo Olson the previous year. Oddsmakers installed him as roughly a two-to-one favorite, believing the younger contender’s pressure and strength would be too much for the 34-year-old Robinson.
Neither man had a championship on the line, but the fight carried enormous significance. Robinson needed a victory to earn another opportunity at Olson and the middleweight title. Castellani knew a win over boxing’s biggest star would almost certainly lead him back into championship contention.
Both fighters weighed 160 pounds for the scheduled 10-round bout. The nationally televised contest drew 8,230 fans. The live gate totaled $39,819. Referee Jack Downey officiated the fight, with Jack Silver and Frankie Carter serving as judges.
The action lived up to expectations from the opening bell. Castellani pressed the fight immediately, forcing Robinson to give ground while looking for room to box. Early in the contest, he landed several heavy punches, including one that visibly shook Robinson. His legs briefly buckled. Robinson answered with crisp combinations, a sharp jab, and steady body punching whenever Castellani crowded inside.
The dramatic moment arrived in the sixth round. Castellani connected with a powerful left hook before following with a right hand that sent Robinson to his knees. Robinson took a nine-count before climbing to his feet. He survived the remainder of the round. It was the only knockdown of the fight and one of the few times Robinson appeared seriously hurt during his comeback.
Instead of fading, Robinson produced his best boxing over the final four rounds. He invested heavily downstairs, slowing Castellani’s attack with repeated body shots before opening space for clean punches to the head. His footwork also became more effective as the fight wore on. That approach allowed him to dictate the range. Accurate combinations steadily increased his lead on the scorecards.
When the final bell sounded, the scoring reflected how competitive the contest had been. Referee Jack Downey scored it 56 to 54 for Robinson. Judge Frankie Carter also favored Robinson by a 56 to 54 margin, while Judge Jack Silver saw Castellani ahead 56 to 54. The split decision awarded Robinson the victory, although some observers believed Castellani had done enough after scoring the bout’s only knockdown. The Associated Press scored the fight 57 to 53 for Robinson, noting that he controlled nearly every round except the sixth.
The victory earned Robinson the opportunity he had been chasing. Five months later, he challenged Bobo Olson for the world middleweight championship and stopped him in two rounds to begin his third reign as champion. Castellani remained one of the division’s toughest contenders, but he never captured a world title despite giving Robinson one of the sternest tests of his celebrated comeback.
Read the full article here
