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Diego Corrales
Diego Corrales.jpg
Corrales in 2004
Statistics
Nickname(s) Chico
Rated at
Height 5 ft 10+1/2 in
Reach 70 in
Born (1977-08-25)August 25, 1977
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Died May 7, 2007(2007-05-07) (aged 29)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 45
Wins 40
Wins by KO 33
Losses 5

Diego "Chico" Corrales Jr. (August 25, 1977 – May 7, 2007) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2007. 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.

Early life

Corrales was born in Columbia, South Carolina to a Colombian father, Diego Corrales Sr. and a Mexican mother. 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.

Amateur career

Corrales compiled an amateur boxing record of 105-12. 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.

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. 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." 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. 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, after being convicted of domestic battery on his then pregnant girlfriend.

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.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Diego Corrales para niños

  • Cameron Dunkin - Corrales' manager
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