Jeff Mayweather has been through his share of ups and downs with his fighter, former multiple time world champion Celestino Caballero. In his latest trip into the ring, after being out of action for well over a year, Caballero lost a disappointing split decision to Robinson Castellanos in a bout that was to serve as a title eliminator fight for the WBC featherweight championship.
While Castellanos is a talented fighter, it was expected that Caballero would win, and go on to either face Daniel Ponce De Leon in a rematch of their 2005 fight, or Abner Mares who takes on De Leon in May. Instead, following the loss, it has to be asked if the end of the road is near for the aging Panamanian.
Mayweather has seen his share of fighters call it a career after disappointing outcomes. Recently, Deandre Latimore retired following a loss to Carlos Quintana, and Sultan Ibragimov never fought again following his first, and only, loss to Wladamir Klitschko. He has always been honest with his fighters, letting them know when he thinks it is time for them to hang them up.
With Celestino Caballero, he thinks that there is enough left in the tank to make one more run. However, he would like to see it take place at 130 lbs., a weight that he thinks will be less taxing on the soon to be 37-year-old fighter.
Caballero did fight once recently at 130 lbs., when he lost a split decision to Jason Litzau. In that fight, as in the loss to Castellanos, Mayweather believes the poor performance was a result of Caballero not having his legs under him. That, he believes, is the key to success for Caballero.
Time will tell if Celestino Caballero decides to continue on with his career. But either way, he has carved out a great legacy for himself. Unfortunately, however, his days as a title contender may be in the past.
