Dave Castilloux

Dave Castilloux (June 4, 1916 – March 8, 1994) was a Canadian professional featherweight, welterweight, and lightweight boxer who won Canadian titles in three weight classes.

Early life Dave Castilloux was born on June 4, 1916, in Hope Town, Quebec, Canada.

Professional boxing career He turned professional in 1934, posting 11 wins, 2 losses, and 4 draws across 17 bouts in his first year alone.

Castilloux left Winslow, Maine, in the mid-1930s, settling in Montreal in search of tougher opponents and better paydays. He was managed by Montreal's Raoul Godbout.

Taking the Canadian lightweight championship, June 1939 During a four-bout run at Maple Leaf Gardens, he scored a win against Phil Zwick, then claimed the vacant Canadian lightweight championship by defeating Joey Bagnato, who entered with a 23–1 record, on June 5, 1939.

Notable bouts during title reign On June 15, 1939, he secured a sixth-round technical knockout over the experienced Everette Rightmire, followed by a July 1939 unanimous decision win over Leo Rodak.

Castilloux appeared on two Madison Square Garden cards, most notably facing Aldo Spoldi of Milan, Italy, in January 1941.

In April 1941, he fought to a stalemate with Harry Hurst to retain the Canadian lightweight championship.

Loss against reigning NBA world lightweight champion Sammy Angott, May 1941 The Canadian champion lost a decision to NBA world lightweight champion Sammy Angott in May 1941 in Louisville.

Like many boxers of his generation, Castilloux served in the Canadian Army during World War II.

Losing the Canadian welterweight championship to Johnny Greco, August 1946 His Canadian welterweight title reign ended on August 28, 1946, with a 10-round decision defeat to Johnny Greco. The bout set a Canadian indoor gate record with 14,750 spectators in attendance and $49,549 in revenue.

Losing the Canadian lightweight championship to Danny Webb, October 1946 In October 1946, Castilloux met Danny Webb for the Canadian lightweight crown in front of 7,041 spectators. After damaging his left hand in the first round, he fought on but suffered a majority decision loss, marking back-to-back title fight defeats within a month span. Their April 1947 rematch for the title drew a near-capacity crowd, which he lost by split decision.

Castilloux's final professional bout took place in July 1948 at Montreal's Exchange Stadium, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Gaby Ferland.

Competing in the professional ranks from 1933 to 1948, Castilloux recorded 106 victories against 20 losses and 4 draws, with 48 of his wins coming by knockout.

Legacy He made history as the first Canadian to simultaneously hold titles in three weight divisions. In 1992, he was admitted into the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame.