World Boxing Council no. 7 lightweight and Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation champ Dennis Laurente has made known his interest to fight WBC lightweight champ Jose Luis Castillo following his successful defense in Japan last Sunday. Laurente (21-1-4, 11 KO’s), who was bestowed the no. 7 slot in the WBC during the organization’s convention in Phuket, prevailed on a majority decision last Sunday in Tokyo over Chikashi Inada. Japanese judge Nobuaki Uratani saw it 115-114 and Filipino Ramon Flores had it 119-109 both for Laurente, while scoring referee David Chung of Korea penned it 115-115. It was the 27-year-old southpaw’s third defense of the OPBF crown he won with a unanimous decision win over another Japanese Yosuke Otsuka in 2001. Prior to Sunday’s win, Laurente had also registered a win over Indon Ferdinand and drew with compatriot Fernando Montilla to retain his crown. “Dennis hopes to fight WBC champ Jose Luis Castillo next,” said an elated Liza Elorde, whose husband Johnny manages Laurente. The veteran Castillo (50-6-1, 45 KO’s) regained the WBC crown he previously lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr, prevailing on a unanimous decision win over Juan Lazcano last June. Castillo and Lazcano vied for the title when Mayweather decided to vacate it to campaign in the bigger super-lightweight category. Laurente, however, will need to take another fight in the immediate future as Castillo is already slated to face WBO champ Diego Corrales in a unification war on December 4 in Las Vegas. October 7, 2004
