Ringside Boxing Report: Juan Diaz – Acelino Freitas

Photos ©Jim Everett/SaddoBoxing.com

Foxwoods Resort & Casino celebrated their 100th professional boxing card with high action this past Saturday. The “Foxwoods Fight Centennial” co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Don King Productions headlined a World Lightweight title unification match between undefeated WBA Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz and WBO Champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas.

The high level action started from the opening bell. Freitas was active early landing several clean shots while the Baby Bull charged forward throwing combinations. Although Freitas won two of the first three rounds by landing the cleaner punches, it was Diaz who continuously moved forward backing up his opponent.

Diaz turned the momentum of the fight to his favor in the fourth round. Although Freitas was still moving well Diaz continued to move in on him cutting off the ring and pressuring him on the ropes with combinations. Freitas would try to end the round strong but Diaz would answer with a barrage of punches.

Diaz would continue his high pressure fighting and dominate the fifth round. He was able to land punches at will throwing a variety of combinations. A strong 1-2 combination hurt Freitas and knocked him off balance. Every where Freitas moved the Baby Bull chased him down not allowing him to catch his breath. Freitas held Diaz nearly tackling him through the ropes in desperation to try not to go down from the barrage of punches.

After taking a beating in the previous round Freitas came back strong in the sixth getting the better of a toe-to-toe exchange in the center of the ring. Although he would win the round he was clearly exahusted compared to Diaz who seemed to be tireless.

The next two rounds Diaz regained control of the fight. Fretias was breathing heavy with no where to hide as he still tried to dance away from Diaz who seemed to get stronger and as the fight progressed. Diaz would launch a consistent attack in the eighth round, pressuring Freitas who had no where to hide from the onslaught of combinations.

The attack mounted by Diaz along with his strength and stamina would prove too much for Freitas as he would quit on his stool and not answer the bell for the ninth round. This would mark Freita’s with the second loss of his career which was a near image of his first loss after refusing to continue in his fight against Corrales back in 2004 also at Foxwoods.

During his post fight celebration Diaz spoke of wanting to fight any of the other champions in the lightweight division. “My goal now is to unify the lightweight division, give me a champion and I will fight him.”