Gallito" anxious to fight again!

It's been more than nine months since Martin "Gallito" Castillo fought and he's itching to get back in the ring. "I'm feeling anxious. I want my title back. I'm waiting for my promoters at Top Rank to get me a date," Castillo said from the Maywood Gym where he trains. "I'm feeling restless. I want to be champion again."

Castillo lost his title via tenth round stoppage after Japan's Nobuo Nashiro managed to cut up Castillo during a very close fight in Japan on July of 2006. Nashiro is now set to defend his WBA Super Flyweight title against Venezuela's Alexander Munoz on May third. The same Alexander Munoz that Castillo defeated twice. "It's going to be a tough fight for Nashiro. I think Munoz has the style to beat him," said Castillo. "Munoz is a very hard puncher and Nashiro doesn't have a great defense. Munoz will be too much for him."

Waiting around for a fight can be frustrating. "There have been a lot of dates that were mentioned but nothing materialized," said Castillo. "All I can do is wait patiently."

Castillo was penciled in to fight Jorge "Travieso" Arce who was just defeated by WBC champion Christian Mijares on the Pacquiao-Solis undercard. After Arce's loss, those plans are more than likely down the drain. "It was a real disappointment to see him lose," said Castillo. "Mijares was just too fast and boxed too well for Travieso. He showed he deserves to be champion."

Castillo was impressed by Mijares and sees him in his near future. "I'd like to get my title back against the winner of Nashiro versus Munoz and then unify the titles against Mijares," said Castillo. "If I get a tune up fight that's fine but I'm ready to go straight into the ring against any of the top guys if the chance comes up. I think Mijares would a great fight for me. I'm also interested in fighting Vic Darchinyan. I would take that fight without hesitation."

Manager Frank Espinoza would like to see "Gallito" in a tune up first. "I think Martin will eventually fight Mijares or the winner of Munoz versus Nashiro or Darchinyan. The important thing is to get him his next fight date so he doesn't get rusty," said Espinoza. "Castillo is a true warrior who'll fight anyone, anytime, but the fights he takes have to make sense and that's what I'm here for as a manager. To help Martin make smart decisions."

For now, Castillo awaits the phone call that will put him back on the road to a world title. "I'm at that point where I'm frustrated. I'm sure many other fighters know the feeling of disappointment when you're given several dates and they fall through," Castillo said. "I'm a fighter. I'm ready to fight."

For more on Martin Castillo go to www.espinozaboxingclub.com