Beloved American Boxer, 4-Time Title Contender, Dies of Cancer at 68

Former boxer Ruben Castillo, who earned four shots at world titles in two weight classes over a professional career spanning more than two decades, has died. He was 68.

Castillo passed away this week surrounded by family and friends in Beaumont, California following a long battle with cancer.

A stellar career remembered.

Born in Lubbock, Texas, Castillo was raised in Bakersfield, California. He turned pro as a boxer in January 1975, going on to post a 67-10-2 overall record in the ring with 37 knockouts.

Castillo fought for the world title four times in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions. In 1980, he lost to reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Alexis Argüello; later that year, he fell to featherweight champion Salvador Sánchez.

In 1983, Castillo lost another featherweight title bout, this time against Juan Laporte. He received his last shot at a belt in 1985, losing to super featherweight champion Julio César Chávez.

Castillo later worked as a broadcaster for ASPN and appeared in the 1988 movie Fists of Steel.

Tributes pour in

The boxing world has been mourning Castillo's passing over the last two days, with tributes popping up on social media.

"The WBC mourns the passing of four-time world title challenger Rubén Castillo, a true warrior who faced the very best: Julio César Chávez, Salvador Sánchez, and Alexis Argüello. The WBC family extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," the official WBC X/Twitter account wrote.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman also honored Castillo in a video shared to social media.

"I'm so deeply saddened by the passing away of Ruben Castillo," Sulaiman said, "What a wonderful man. [He fought] so many greats in the ring, yet he was such an unbelievable friend. Nice, kind, always happy, always funny. ... We will always remember Ruben Castillo. May he rest in peace."