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08/06/2004 Archived Entry: "New England Chatta"
New England Chatta
By J. D. Vena
Popo versus Chico is where it’s at
A few years ago, it wasn’t too difficult to determine who the best jr. lightweight in the world was. With impressive wins over Genaro Hernandez, Angel Manfredy and the fearsome, Diego “Chico” Corrales, most without hesitation, assumed that “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was the division’s premier 130-pounder. The only question was who the next best.
In a series of major duels between Cuban defector Joel Casamayor, Acelino Freitas of Brazil and Sacramento native Corrales, it seems that we may get a pretty good idea who that fighter is when former IBF jr. lightweight champ Corrales (38-2/ 31 KO’s) challenges unbeaten two-division champion, Freitas (35-0/ 31 KO’s) tomorrow night at Foxwoods for the Brazilian’s WBO lightweight belt. We’ll also have a pretty good idea who holds the distinction of best lightweight. This summer blockbuster, which will air live on Showtime at 9:00 P.M. (EST), may also prove to be one of the most exciting fights of the year let alone one of the most intriguing.
Since Freitas’ clash with Casamayor two years ago, which he won narrowly, the powerpunching Freitas has failed to put away three of his last four opponents and relied more on in and out fighting. Though no one is suggesting that his punching power is a question mark at lightweight, he’ll need every once of his power to chop Corrales down.
Corrales, modified his style in his last outing, when he avenged only his second defeat by split verdict over Casamayor in a classy performance. Corrales displayed tremendous poise as well as a sharp jab and according to the current WBO jr. lightweight champion, feels better than ever going into his most recent super bout.
“Camp has been perfect,” Corrales said in a national conference call on Tuesday. “We’ve trained very hard, everything has gone well and I’m just happy that it’s this close to finally fighting.”
At Camp Freitas, the current WBO lightweight champion who easily dethroned longtime belt-holder Artur Grigorian of Germany in his last bout has also been a positive experience.
“He’s a very good student,” said Freitas’ trainer Oscar Suarez. “Each training camp is special with Acelino. I can’t describe how hungry of a champion he is.”
Though his hunger has won him all of his bouts and his country’s adulation, Freitas has never faced a meal of Corrales’ freakish size. At a towering 6’0’’, Corrales will sport a 5 inch height advantage, something of which he is used to in every fight of his.
“My height advantage should play a lot into the fight and I’m sure, he’s not been in the ring with someone my size,” said Corrales.
“I’ve trained with tall fighters,” countered the champion. “The way I see it, he is a man with two arms and two legs.”
Freitas will enjoy an almost home field advantage because of his devoted Brazilain following. In his last bout at Foxwoods, which took place in the Fox Theater, the their presence felt as if the entire nation of Brazil was in the limited venue. The Brazilian constituency celebrated and sang for hours after Freitas’ victory in January, but Corrales doesn’t expect the potentially hostile crowd, which will fill the sold-out and larger Bingo Hall, to affect his concentration or performance.
“I’ve fought around Sacramento only a couple of times in my career,” said Corrales. “Everywhere I’ve gone practically has been in the other guy’s backyard. When I get into the ring my focus is on fighting the man in front of me.”
On Saturday night, the focus will be on the Freitas and Corrales. A win for either man will increase their earning power and will raise their names in the pound-for-pound lists, but neither man is concerned with the mythical rating.
Said Corrales: “Pound-for-pound is not important to me. I’m trying to make my mark and win all of my fights. To me, ‘pound-for-pound’ doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“All that is important to me is the kind of man I am,” said Frietas. “Being the fighter I am today and a good family man is all that I’m concerned with.”
Those who follow the amateur boxing scene in New England may have been a little surprised about the surprise which took place at the first annual Micky Ward Invitational in June. In one of the most exciting amateur New England fights in years, unheralded Castulo Gonzalez of Everett, MA upset 2-time Golden Gloves champion Omar Pena in a spirited brawl that was named the show’s “Fight of the Night.”
What Pena and others didn’t know was that Gonzalez was a national champion of Guatemala and has medaled in many international tournaments in the featherweight neighborhood. Gonzalez, who moved to the United States to earn money for his family in Guatemala, will make his first paycheck as a professional prizefighter Tuesday night at Hank Touhy’s “Battle Zone at the Tent” in Hyannis.
The show’s main event will pit local Cape Cod native, Jay Pina (12-1/ 8 KO’s) of Falmouth, MA versus New England trial horse Mike “The Heat” Bonislawski (16-17-5/ 5 KO’s) who has been unbeaten in his last two bouts. Unbeaten Lenny Silva (12-0/ 8 KO’s) of nearby Harwich, MA will be paired with his toughest test, Ike Ezeji (7-6-1/ 2 KO’s) of New York City. Perhaps the best match-up on the card however is between Jimmy “The Dream” LeBlanc of Southie versus Shaka Moore of Norwalk, CT. A winner between the two could determine a likely challenger for New England Jr. welterweight champion, Jeff “The Hellraza” Fraza of Haverhill, MA. Other bouts which include the debuts of Angel Vargas of Haverhill via the Dominican Republic, Mike Kouhmouros of Centerville and Southie’s Joe “Sugar” Rea, a native of County Antrim, Ireland.
The official weigh-in for Tuesday night's boxing show will be held Monday night at Hooters in downtown Hyannis, starting at 6 p.m., and is open to the public. A cigar smoker will be held (9 pm) at Electric Café. Another cigar smoker will be held Tuesday evening, after the boxing show, at Puff The Magic. Full two-night, all-inclusive packages -- hotel accommodations, car rentals, golf, and boxing tickets - are available by contacting Tuohy Sports & Entertainment: (toll free) 888.334.4265, (phone) 508.477.5355, (fax) 508.477.4955, hank@tuohysports.com.
