Diego Corrales
- Super featherweight
- Lightweight
Diego "Chico" Corrales Jr. (August 25, 1977 – May 7, 2007) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2007.[2] He was a multiple-time world champion in two weight divisions, having held the IBF super featherweight title from 1999 to 2000; the WBO super featherweight title in 2004; the WBO lightweight title from 2004 to 2006; and the WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal lightweight titles from 2005 to 2006.
In 2005, Corrales received Fight of the Year honors by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America for his acclaimed first bout with José Luis Castillo.
Corrales was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.[3]
Early life
Corrales was born in Columbia, South Carolina[4] to a Colombian father, Diego Corrales Sr.[5] and a Mexican mother.[2][6] Corrales' early life was filled with violence; he was raised in the Oak Park section of Sacramento, was involved with street gangs at age 13, and witnessed his best friend's death via drive-by shooting. Corrales had a degree in culinary arts. He trained at "Sac Pal" (Sacramento Police Athletic League) Boxing Gym.[7]
Amateur career
Corrales compiled an amateur boxing record of 105-12.[8] In 1994, he took second place at the United States Amateur Championships, losing to Frankie Carmona on points in the featherweight final. He reached the first round of the featherweight bracket at the 1995 Pan American Games, losing to Arnaldo Mesa. At the 1995 World Championships, he lost out on a medal after losing to Marco Rudolph in the lightweight bracket.
Professional career
Super featherweight
Corrales vs. Mayweather
On January 20, 2001, Corrales challenged Ring No. 2 ranked Super Featherweight and #7 Pound-For-Pound Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC super featherweight title and recorded his first knockdown and first loss. In the bout, Mayweather knocked down Corrales five times (three times in the seventh round and twice in the tenth). After the fifth knockdown, Corrales' corner stopped the fight, despite Corrales' protests.
Shortly after the Mayweather fight, Corrales served 14 months in prison after opting for a plea bargain on charges he faced for abusing his pregnant wife, Maria.[9]
Corrales vs. Casamayor I & II
In 2003, Corrales returned to the ring. After easily winning four fights, Corrales fought against Ring No. 1 ranked Super Featherweight Joel Casamayor. After the sixth round, the fight was stopped because of a deep cut inside of Corrales' mouth. On March 6, 2004, there was a rematch for the vacant WBO super featherweight title. Corrales won by close split decision.
Lightweight
Corrales vs. Freitas
On August 7, 2004, Corrales fought former two-time Super Featherweight champion and current WBO Lightweight champion, Acelino Freitas, who came into the bout unbeaten. Corrales won the fight, via TKO in the tenth round, making Corrales a two weight champion. Freitas won the early rounds, but by the later rounds he was visibly tired and began to be caught by Corrales. After rising from his third knockdown, Freitas walked away from the referee and quit.
Corrales vs. Castillo I
On May 7, 2005, Corrales defeated WBC and Ring Lightweight champion José Luis Castillo via TKO in the tenth round, giving Corrales his fourth title in 2 weight classes. The fight is almost universally regarded as the best fight of 2005.[10][11][12] Both men stood in front of each other, battering each other with hard combinations and power punches throughout the entire fight. Finally, in the tenth round, Castillo knocked Corrales down. Seconds later, Castillo knocked Corrales down again. Corrales managed to beat the count, and, after a point was taken away for excessive spitting out of the mouthpiece, Corrales connected with a punch that Castillo later called "a perfect right hand."[13] Corrales then trapped Castillo against the ropes and landed numerous punches, causing the referee, Tony Weeks, to stop the fight.
Corrales vs. Castillo II
A rematch between Corrales and Castillo occurred on October 8, 2005. On the day before the fight, Castillo weighed-in 3½ lb over the 135 lb (61 kg) lightweight limit. Since Castillo did not make the weight, the fight became a non-title bout. The two fighters continued with the same fighting style that they had used in the first fight, trading inside punches throughout the first three rounds. Early in the fourth round, Castillo knocked down Corrales with a left hook to his chin. Corrales wobbled to his feet at the referee's count of ten, causing the fight to end.
Corrales vs. Castillo III, dubbed "The War to Settle the Score," had been scheduled for February 4, 2006, but it was postponed because of a rib injury that Corrales suffered while training. The fight was rescheduled for June 3, 2006. At the weigh-in, however, Corrales weighed the 135 lb (61 kg) lightweight limit whereas Castillo weighed 139½ lb—causing the fight to be cancelled. Corrales later sued Castillo for punitive damages.
Corrales vs. Casamayor III
Corrales was scheduled to defend his lightweight title in a third bout against Joel Casamayor on October 7, 2006. However, Corrales weighed in 5 pounds over the limit. He was given two hours to shed five pounds, but came back at 139 pounds. Corrales would have been stripped of the title if he had won the bout, but Casamayor defeated him by split decision for the WBC and The Ring lightweight titles.
On April 7, 2007, fighting in the welterweight division, Corrales lost a unanimous decision to Joshua Clottey.[14] Corrales was dropped in rounds 9 and 10 and lost by the scores of 97–90, 98–89 and 100–87.
Prison
Corrales served 14 months in the Deuel Vocational Institution, a correctional facility in San Joaquin County, California,[15] after being convicted of domestic battery on his then pregnant girlfriend.[16]
Death
On May 7, 2007, exactly two years to the day after his first fight with Castillo, Corrales was killed in a three-vehicle accident near his Las Vegas home. Corrales was riding a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 1000 motorcycle, traveling northbound on Fort Apache Road in the southwest part of the Las Vegas Valley when he struck the back of a car and was thrown more than 100 feet into oncoming traffic and struck by another vehicle. An ambulance was called by the witnesses at the scene, Corrales was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Las Vegas police spokesman Sgt. Tracy McDonald said: "The accident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. PDT." McDonald could not say how fast the motorcycle was traveling. Corrales' blood alcohol content was 0.25 at the time of the crash, approximately 3 times the legal limit for Nevada.[17]
Professional boxing record
45 fights | 40 wins | 5 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 33 | 3 |
By decision | 7 | 2 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
45 | Loss | 40–5 | Joshua Clottey | UD | 10 | Apr 7, 2007 | Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Springfield, Missouri, U.S. | |
44 | Loss | 40–4 | Joel Casamayor | SD | 12 | Oct 7, 2006 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost The Ring lightweight title |
43 | Loss | 40–3 | Jose Luis Castillo | KO | 4 (12), 0:47 | Oct 8, 2005 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
42 | Win | 40–2 | José Luis Castillo | TKO | 10 (12), 2:06 | May 7, 2005 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBO lightweight title; Won WBC and The Ring lightweight titles |
41 | Win | 39–2 | Acelino Freitas | TKO | 10 (12), 1:24 | Aug 7, 2004 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | Won WBO lightweight title |
40 | Win | 38–2 | Joel Casamayor | SD | 12 | Mar 6, 2004 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | Won IBA and vacant WBO super featherweight titles |
39 | Loss | 37–2 | Joel Casamayor | TKO | 6 (12), 3:00 | Oct 4, 2003 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For vacant IBA super featherweight title |
38 | Win | 37–1 | Damian Fuller | KO | 3 (10), 1:48 | Jun 20, 2003 | Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. | |
37 | Win | 36–1 | Felix St Kitts | TKO | 3 (10), 1:36 | Apr 24, 2003 | Grand Casino, Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S. | |
36 | Win | 35–1 | Roque Cassiani | RTD | 1 (10), 3:00 | Feb 22, 2003 | The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | |
35 | Win | 34–1 | Michael Davis | TKO | 5 (8) | Jan 25, 2003 | Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
34 | Loss | 33–1 | Floyd Mayweather Jr. | TKO | 10 (12), 2:19 | Jan 20, 2001 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBC super featherweight title |
33 | Win | 33–0 | Angel Manfredy | TKO | 3 (12), 2:38 | Sep 2, 2000 | Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | Retained IBF and IBA super featherweight titles |
32 | Win | 32–0 | Justin Juuko | KO | 10 (12), 2:35 | Jun 17, 2000 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained IBA super featherweight title |
31 | Win | 31–0 | Derrick Gainer | TKO | 3 (12), 1:50 | Mar 18, 2000 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF super featherweight title; Won vacant IBA super featherweight title |
30 | Win | 30–0 | John Brown | UD | 12 | Dec 4, 1999 | Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, U.S. | Retained IBF super featherweight title |
29 | Win | 29–0 | Robert Garcia | TKO | 7 (12), 0:48 | Oct 23, 1999 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won IBF super featherweight title |
28 | Win | 28–0 | Angel Aldama | RTD | 4 (12), 3:00 | Jun 12, 1999 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Won vacant IBA Intercontinental lightweight title |
27 | Win | 27–0 | Claudio Victor Martinet | TKO | 5 (10), 2:06 | Apr 2, 1999 | Convention Center, Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 26–0 | Gairy St. Clair | UD | 12 | Dec 18, 1998 | Yosemite Hall, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
25 | Win | 25–0 | Hector Arroyo | TKO | 5 (10), 1:01 | Nov 20, 1998 | The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 24–0 | Benito Rodriguez | KO | 6 | Sep 12, 1998 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Rafael Morfin | TKO | 2 | Aug 15, 1998 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Benito Rodriguez | TD | 7 (8), 2:49 | Jul 5, 1998 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Unanimous TD after Rodriguez could not continue from an accidental low blow |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Eduardo Contreras | KO | 2 (10), 1:12 | May 30, 1998 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Juan Carlos Salazar | KO | 1 | Apr 18, 1998 | Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Angel Aldama | UD | 10 | Dec 4, 1997 | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Juan Angel Macias | KO | 6 (12), 2:35 | Oct 18, 1997 | Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBA Intercontinental lightweight title |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Isagani Pumar | KO | 4 (10), 2:28 | Aug 22, 1997 | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Manny Castillo | TKO | 11 (12) 0:48 | Jul 11, 1997 | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S. | Won vacant IBA Intercontinental lightweight title |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Javier Pichardo | KO | 2 (12), 2:47 | May 9, 1997 | The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBA Intercontinental super featherweight title |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Steve Quinonez | TKO | 4 (12), 2:21 | Apr 4, 1997 | The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant IBA Intercontinental super featherweight title |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Idelfonso Bernal | TKO | 2 (6), 0:34 | Mar 14, 1997 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Salvador Montes | KO | 1 (6) | Jan 13, 1997 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Julian Vasquez | KO | 1 | Dec 16, 1996 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Mario Gonzalez | KO | 1 | Dec 13, 1996 | Tecate, Mexico | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Juan Santos | TKO | 1 | Nov 29, 1996 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Sergio Macias | TKO | 4 (4), 1:46 | Oct 11, 1996 | Texas Station, North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Murphy Hughes | KO | 1 (4), 2:52 | Sep 13, 1996 | Knapp Center, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Cesar Morales | TKO | 2 (4) | Aug 17, 1996 | Sports Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Lorenzo Raul Chaires | KO | 1 (4) | Jun 27, 1996 | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Ciro Canales | UD | 4 | Jun 7, 1996 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Victor Manuel Mendoza | TKO | 3 (4), 2:59 | May 30, 1996 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Enrique Beltran | UD | 4 | Mar 28, 1996 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Everett Barry | TKO | 3 (4), 1:12 | Mar 19, 1996 | Club Rio, Tempe, Arizona, U.S. |
See also
- Cameron Dunkin - Corrales' manager
References
- ^ a b Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the third Joel Casamayor fight.
- ^ a b John Rawling (2007-05-10). "Diego Corrales | Boxing | guardian.co.uk Sport". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ^ Joseph Santoliquito (2023-12-07). "Diego Corrales and Ricky Hatton top the 2024 Hall of Fame Class". The Ring. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "Former two-division champion Corrales killed in Vegas". Espn.com. 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
- ^ "James Quawrells.: "There Will Never Be Another Diego 'Chico' Corrales"". Fighthype.Com. 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
- ^ "Olga Woods: "I Want Chico To Rest In Peace"". Fighthype.Com. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
- ^ Press release. "Showtime Championship Boxing to feature WBO lightweight championship." 2 June 2004. Showtime. Retrieved 28 August 2006.
- ^ Boxing-Records editors. Boxing-Records: Diego Corrales 1 March 2006. GFAX. Retrieved 28 August 2006.
- ^ "Diego Corrales Looks Ahead". Maxboxing.com. 2003-06-18. Archived from the original on May 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ Eisele, Andrew. "Ring Magazine Fight of the Year." Archived 2005-09-17 at the Wayback Machine About.com. Retrieved 23 July 2006.
- ^ Gregg, John. HIS main goal was to beat castillo."2005 Boxing Year in Review." Archived 2006-05-27 at the Wayback Machine 3 January 2006. The Boxing Times. Retrieved 23 July 2006.
- ^ "Corrales vs. Castillo I- Fight of the Year 2005." Archived 2006-08-20 at the Wayback Machine 5 January 2006. TigerBoxing.com. Retrieved 23 July 2006.
- ^ Castillo, José Luis. "Showtime Conference Call Quotes: Corrales, Castillo & Their Teams." Archived 2006-09-02 at the Wayback Machine 5 December 2005. East Side Boxing. His main goal was to beat Castillo. Retrieved 23 July 2006.
- ^ "ESPN - Fight lasts 10 rounds, but Clottey dominates throughout - Boxing". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ^ Gerbasi, Thomas (2001-01-20). "ESPN.com - BOXING - Diego Corrales: No More Drama". A.espncdn.com. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
- ^ "SN&R • Local Stories • News • the rises and falls of Diego Corrales • Apr 17, 2003". Sacramento News & Review. 6 July 2005.
- ^ "ESPN: Serving sports fans. Anytime. Anywhere". Archived from the original on October 18, 2001.
External links
- Boxing record for Diego Corrales from BoxRec (registration required)
- The rises and falls of Diego Corrales by Jason Probst, 17 April 2003, Sacramento News & Review.
- Diego Corrales at Find a Grave
- Diego Corrales profile Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine at About.com
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Regional boxing titles | ||||
New title | IBA Intercontinental super featherweight champion April 4, 1997 – July 11, 1997 Won lightweight title | Vacant Title next held by Patrick Hyland | ||
IBA Intercontinental lightweight champion July 11, 1997 – July 1998 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Gabriel Ruelas | |||
Vacant Title last held by Gabriel Ruelas | IBA Intercontinental lightweight champion June 12, 1999 – March 2000 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Josh O'Reilly | ||
Minor world boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by José Luis Castillo | IBA super featherweight champion March 18, 2000 – June 2000 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Carlos Navarro | ||
Vacant Title last held by Carlos Navarro | IBA super featherweight champion June 17, 2000 – October 2000 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Joel Casamayor | ||
Preceded by Joel Casamayor | IBA super featherweight champion March 6, 2004 – August 2004 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Érik Morales | ||
Major world boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by Robert Garcia | IBF super featherweight champion October 23, 1999 – October 22, 2000 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Steve Forbes | ||
Vacant Title last held by Acelino Freitas | WBO super featherweight champion March 6, 2004 – June 18, 2004 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Mike Anchondo | ||
Preceded by Acelino Freitas | WBO lightweight champion August 7, 2004 – January 14, 2006 Vacated | Vacant Title next held by Acelino Freitas | ||
Preceded by José Luis Castillo | WBC lightweight champion May 7, 2005 – October 6, 2006 Stripped | Succeeded by Joel Casamayor | ||
The Ring lightweight champion May 7, 2005 – October 8, 2006 | ||||
Lineal lightweight champion May 7, 2005 – October 8, 2006 | ||||
Awards | ||||
Previous: Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Érik Morales III | The Ring Fight of the Year vs. José Luis Castillo 2005 | Next: Somsak Sithchatchawal vs. Mahyar Monshipour | ||
Status | ||||
Previous: Pedro Alcázar | Latest born world champion to die May 7, 2007 – April 19, 2010 | Next: Edwin Valero |
Family: