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Remembering Diego Corrales

One year ago on this day, the sport of boxing lost a great warrior when Diego "Chico" Corrales passed away at the age of 29.

One year later, I thought it would be nice to simply look back on a few of Diego's most memorable moments.

First up, of course, is the first fight with Jose Luis Castillo, and in particular, the miraculous 10th round. This one took place on May 7, 2005, two years to the day before Corrales died.

I fully expect to live the rest of my life without ever seeing a more dramatic fight or more thrilling round of boxing, and I could live until 120 and see all the great fights in the world and probably still feel that way.

This clip is from his totally uneven loss to Floyd Mayweather, Jr., when Mayweather just picked Corrales apart and destroyed him. But what's memorable about this, in my view, is that Corrales refused to stop trying to fight. He was massively behind, and you get to see knockdowns four and five of Corrales in this clip. And when his corner decides he's taken enough punishment and there's no way back, Corrales refuses to accept that reality. It was what made Chico the fighter he was. He had an unrelenting spirit.

Next we take a look at his win over Acelino "Popo" Freitas, from 2004, his last fight prior to the first meeting with Castillo.

Here is the latter portion of his first meeting with Joel Casamayor, a terrific fight that is somewhat overlooked. Casamayor, not Castillo, was Corrales' greatest rival.

Last is the post-fight interview from his final bout, a lopsided loss at welterweight to Joshua Clottey. While Corrales was dominated, it again showed how tough-minded an individual he was as a fighter. Corrales never stopped trying to fight, even though he was getting smoked by a stronger, fresher fighter. He was Diego Corrales, right until the end.

The sport will never replace Chico Corrales, and we as fans will always miss him. A fighter truly worth fond remembrance, Corrales' career was filled with ups and downs, highs and lows, but never was there a dull moment.

Rest in peace, Chico, and thank you again.

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Thanks
Matt, thanks for that great tribute.  

You know, I think it's worth mentioning that when I was kid coming up, we didn't have a VCR let alone the Internet.  You had to wait for broadcast TV to relive the greatest moments in your favorite fights.  The world is so completely different now, its almost shocking.  We have technology that not only let's us relive those moments, but allows younger fans to see them for the first time.  So when you say things like "that was an incredible fight" to a young fight fan, they can actually see it and know what the hell you're talking about.

How great is that?

by jrok on May 8, 2008 10:43 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Scott

Whoops, I mean, thanks “Scott.”

by jrok on May 9, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can't believe it
I can't believe it's already been a year.  What a fighter he was.  I hope his family is doing well.

by erod on May 8, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank You

I was hoping you would do a post on Chico, he is sorely missed. I was in complete shock a year ago and I am still saddened by his passing. Boxing has more than its fair share of sad stories and this is yet another. Watching these videos though does help me muster a smile, even if only for a brief moment. Chico, you were a warrior brother.

by BeastMode on May 9, 2008 4:22 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I’ll probably wind up doing something like this every year. He was just such a special fighter.

by SC on May 9, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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