Boxing Legend Ruben Castillo Dies After Battling Illness

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The World Boxing Council (WBC) has announced the death of Mexican boxing legend Ruben Castillo, who passed away while battling an illness in California, United States, on 25 February 2026.

“We have lost the great Ruben Castillo at the age of 68,” the WBC wrote on its official website, as monitored in Jakarta, Thursday.

Ruben had a brilliant professional career in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions from 1975-1997, with a record of 67 wins, including 35 knockouts (KOs), 10 losses, and two draws.

Ruben, who entered the world of professional boxing at the age of seventeen, fought in an impressive 540 rounds.

In each round, Ruben fought with all his might, with brilliant technique, cunning, skill, but also and most importantly with extraordinary courage and steel determination.

“Ruben tried and then tried even harder. He was a fan favourite. The fans adored him, instinctively knowing in the depths of their hearts and souls that he had given everything. Indeed, he deserved his fan base,” wrote the WBC.

The WBC stated that in today’s boxing world, Ruben would certainly have been a world champion. He was unlucky to fight in a golden era, where he bravely faced and lost to Salvador Sanchez and Juan LaPorte on points, and was stopped by Alexis Arguello and Julio Cesar Chavez.

During his career, Ruben admitted that the fight against Julio Cesar Chavez, who had just won the WBC super featherweight title, was the most difficult and challenging for him.

The WBC remembers Ruben as a pleasant figure. Everyone who ever met Ruben smiled and remembered precious memories, because he always tried his best in the ring and then became an extraordinary and loyal friend outside the ring.

“How we will miss Ruben Castillo. Full of spirit, invincible, blessed with an extraordinary sense of humour plus unforgettable kindness and touching humanity,” wrote the WBC.