Elieser Castillo was born in Havana, Cuba on Oct. 25th 1970. He lived in
a two story building with his mother Berta, father Luciano and 6
brothers and one sister.  As a young boy Elieser would follow his older
brother - Edilberto aka "Eddie" - to the local boxing gym.  As one of
Cuba's celebrated fighters "Eddie" became one of his first mentors.   

Elieser had aspirations of being a Judo champion, but his older brother
talked him into competing in a boxing tournament after a fighter
unexpectedly dropped out.

Not only did Elieser make it through his first boxing match - he ended
up winning the gold medal!   As early as 15, Elieser showed his trainers,
teammates and family that boxing was more than just a hobby – it was
his life.

Elieser Castillo Ramos was part of the legendary Cuban boxing program
from an early age, and he excelled.  He compiled an amateur record in
Cuba of 128-10 that included Caribbean and Central American titles.

The young boxer had to briefly give up the sport he loved during a stint
in the Cuban army, which was mandatory at the time.  Once he
completed his tour in the military - boxing became his full-time job. But
poverty and very little growth in Cuba as a boxer prompted him to face
his biggest battle.

In 1994, along with his brothers Eliade and Eliseo, whose a fellow boxer,
Castillo strung together three inner tubes.  At the age of 24, he made
his float to freedom; taking only the clothes on his back and some
drinking water.

After five days at sea on the homemade raft, Elieser and his brothers
were intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Florida Straits only to
be turned around to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Castillo was among the
thousands of Cuban rafters, who lived in the
so-called: “Tent City,” as the U.S. government decided his fate.

After three years in limbo, the Cuban defector was finally able to chase
after his dreams freely.  When Castillo made it to U.S. soil, he was
among the elite Cuban fighters, who became part of what was known as
"Team Freedom."   On February 20, 1996, Castillo made his professional
boxing debut in Miami, FL with a first-round TKO win over Kerry Parks.

In fact, four of Castillo’s first five pro opponents didn’t make it out of
the opening round, and with an aggressive style and south paw power;
Elieser quickly became a fan favorite in his adopted home of South
Florida.

By his ninth fight, Castillo was already fighting for and winning  
professional titles as he demolished 85-fight veteran Bobby Crabtree in
just two rounds to win the WBC Continental Americas title in 1996.

A 12-round decision win over Artis Pendergrass two months later put
the WBC Fecarbox title belt around his waist, and after four more
victories during 1997 and 1998, Castillo appeared to be unstoppable.

On May 30th, 1998, Castillo was matched up with highly regarded and
unbeaten heavyweight contender Chris Byrd. In a highly anticipated
clash between two of the sport’s rising young stars, Byrd outpointed
Castillo over ten rounds in Atlantic City.

Six months later, Castillo was back in the ring and back on another
winning streak, taking care of seven straight opponents over the next
two years.

On October 21, 2000, Castillo earned his first title belt as a heavyweight,
over hard-hitting 300-pound Paea Wolfgramm during 12 tough rounds,
to win the IBO Intercontinental crown.

Castillo was considered the underdog when he took on 32-0 Andre
Purlette on January 4, 2002. But with a Miami crowd cheering him on,
Castillo showed why he was so highly regarded by boxing experts when
he easily dismantled the unbeaten Purlette, knocking him out in five
rounds.

The momentum from the win over Purlette was lost when Castillo
dropped a hard-fought 12 round decision to Charles Shufford in
October of 2002, but eight months later, fighting at his lightest weight
since 1997, Castillo bounced back like a champion, knocking out former
US Olympian Lawrence Clay-Bey in nine rounds to win the NABF
championship.












Castillo’s next fight was dubbed: David –vs- Goliath as he was pinned
up against Corey Sanders – who weighed 85 pounds more than the
Cuban southpaw.   Through ring smarts and his upper cut strength -
Castillo retained his NABF belt by proving that David is stronger than
Goliath.

Castillo later knocked out former Cruiserweight World Champion Uriah
Grant in the first round.  A few months later Castillo faced a surprising
defeat during a 12 round war to DaVarryl Williamson on April 17th, 2004,
a bout in which Castillo sent Williamson to the canvas in round eight.

A close decision loss to Kendrick Releford in October 2004 surprised
boxing fans, but with a new attitude for 2005, Castillo was ready to get
back into the title mix.

On April 22, 2005, he faced crafty veteran Otis Tisdale.  It was a bout that
looked to be competitive on paper, but once the bell rang, it was all
Castillo, as he stopped his foe at the 2:43 mark of the opening round.

In 1996, Castillo took on a much heavier Bahamian - Renaldo Minus. The
walls of the University of Tampa's Sun Dome shook as the quick-handed,
300 plus pounder landed on the canvas - not once, but 3 times in the
fourth round.

It was just the type of statement Elieser needed to make to the
Heavyweight division.  

Castillo's most recent bout took place on February of 2008. He won after
a 5-round TKO - in a fight that Elieser used as preparation for bigger
things to come.

This was Castillo's last fight for a while as a Heavyweight. In 2008,
Castillo will focus on the Cruiserweight division and will then go back
after he places some more belts around his waist.  

The road to the World Championship belt may have some rough edges,
but Castillo is used to taking the road less traveled to get what he
wants.

Don’t expect anything in a boxing ring to rattle heavyweight contender
Elieser Castillo; as this Cuban southpaw has been through worse
situations in life, that didn’t have a referee,
three-minute rounds or boxing gloves.

Castillo is managed by his wife and business partner - Karla Guadamuz-
Castillo.

Guadamuz-Castillo is a professional journalist and magazine Publisher.   
She also serves as Director of Operations for Castillo Boxing.   The
couple share their home with their three beloved dogs.
Castillo Boxing...                           Bio
Cuban Boxing in the U.S.A