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After personal problems manifesting outside of the ring that lead to a stint in jail, Diego Corrales could be on the path of reclaiming his dominance in boxing. Earning his respect in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions, at five-feet-eleven-inches and a seventy-inch reach advantage, he has the tools to control the lightweight division. With two losses, a clear beating from Floyd Mayweather and an all out slugfest stoppage with Joel Casamayor, Diego Corrales’ two losses to outstanding fighters add more to his credibility and strength than weaknesses. He avenged his one loss to Casamayor with a decision win and the likelihood of a Mayweather rematch seems long distant. Yet, the rebuilding of his career is more inspirational.
Mayweather has had the power to erase fighters’ ring confidence and when they lose to him, they usually are not the same. Corrales on the other hand has reinvigorated his career with risky and high quality fights. The Acelino Freitas fight was a boxing fan’s joy to watch. Freitas, who is one of the best fighters in the lightweight division, went down in the eighth, ninth and in the tenth rounds and rejected the idea of continuing. Now Corrales steps up to Jose Luis Castillo, a fighter with fifty-two wins. If Corrales emerges victorious, what will he do next? His height is a good indication of approval for moving up in weight class. The power he holds and patience he can display when motivated is another plus sign to his advancement in a higher weight division.
Another lucrative Mayweather bout is even more bait to ponder this idea of moving up. Let’s play promoter and push Mayweather into winning, who would he face next as a quality opponent? Mayweather usually takes on rematches when he wants them and Corrales foe Castillo is a man who earned two fights with Mayweather. Now, if Corrales can destroy Castillo with a devastating knockout or stoppage, could the deal for Corrales vs. Mayweather II, be one in the making? Just imagine the added talent if Corrales enters the junior welterweight division. The future opponents of Kostya Tszyu, Vivian Harris, Miguel Cotto, Arturo Gatti and Ricky Hatton are all potential fight of the year candidates.
The junior welterweight division is by far the most talented on the spectrum of pure boxing ability. Corrales, I am sure, realizes his road to rebuilding and being recognized as a world-class champion was not going to be easy and flowing. It’s boxing, what did you expect?
Shaun Rico LaWhorn can be reached at filmmaking_mentality@msn.com
