It was around two o’clock in the morning when I logged on to Boxingtalk to see the latest breaking news. When I saw that the great Diego Corrales was killed in a motorcycle accident, I felt a vicious combination of nausea and a racing heartbeat. Though I had only met the man once in person, I feel like I have lost a brother. Through his inspiring performances in the ring, and his pleasant demeanor in interviews and charity events, many of us boxing fans felt like knew this man as a close friend.
Corrales (final ring record of 40-5 with 33 KOs) is survived by his wife Michelle, four children and a step-daughter. He was the epitome of what an old school warrior. He had every physical advantage one could ask for at his weight, usually being a good six inches taller than most of his opponents. He was also just as fast, if not faster than most of his opponents (except for Floyd Mayweather), and beyond a shadow of a doubt, always the stronger and more powerful man in the ring. Corrales, like Arturo Gatti, was also a skilled technical boxer who always chose to brawl.
Corrales always had two things on his mind when it came to boxing: pleasing the fans, and fighting the best opposition possible. Never in a boring fight, Corrales’ resume is packed with name fighters who were the best of his era. The list includes Joshua Clottey, Joel Casamayor, Jose Luis Castillo, Acelino Freitas, Angel Manfredy, Derrick Gainer, and pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. Win, lose or draw, you always knew a fight with Corrales was going to be an exciting one. Going into every fight with a win or die attitude, Corrales fought his heart out 45 times, showing skill, heart, and determination in every bout.
Against Mayweather, Corrales was clearly in over his head, floored five times before his corner stopped the fight. Though he tasted the canvas repeatedly, he kept on fighting, and was upset at his corner for stopping the fight. However, Corrales showed his biggest display of courage in the fight he is most remembered for, his first bout against Castillo. The fight, one of the greatest in boxing history, was action packed from start to finish. The tenth round, up there with Gatti-Ward rounds as possibly the greatest of all-time, showed Corrales knocked down twice, only to rise up and dig down deep to fight back and knock out Castillo in the very same round. This was Corrales’ true claim to fame… it’s just too bad it was so short lived.
The dramatic comeback against Castillo turned out to be the last win of Corrales career. In the rematch with Castillo, Corrales pushed himself to the limit to make lightweight (135 lbs), which had become a problem, whereas it appeared Castillo had no plans of coming in on target. Though the title was only on the line for Corrales, Castillo was much more energized and scored a devastating knockout in another action packed fight, at least while it lasted. This knockout lead to a highly anticipated rubber match, and once again Castillo did not make weight. This time, more concerned about his health and well being, Corrales said no way, and the fight was cancelled.
Next was another rubber match with Joel Casamayor. Corrales lost two fights that night, one with the scales, resulting in being stripped of his title, and a split-decision to Casamayor. No longer able to make 135, Corrales skipped right over 140 and went to welterweight. His first and only test at 147 was Joshua Clottey. The fight was a virtual shutout, with Corrales taking a ten- round beating, hitting the canvas twice, but never giving up and never content with mere survival.
Many wondered about his future in the sport… it’s a shame there is no need for that anymore. Corrales was as wild outside the ring as he was inside, and unfortunately this time it cost him his life. He was indeed a great fighter and a true warrior. He will be greatly missed, and the sport will take a giant dent with the loss of this fan-favorite attraction. Rest in piece Diego “Chico” Corrales.
