Corrales-Bio

DIEGO "CHICO" CORRALES

August 25, 1977 - May 5, 2007

Biography (provided by SHOWTIME)

World championship fights - 7-1…
Former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight world champion…
Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight world champion
Former The RING lightweight world champion…
Former WBO junior lightweight world champion…
Former IBF junior lightweight world champion, three successful title defenses…

At the age of 28, Diego Corrales is a 10-year pro. A three-time world champion, Corrales is coming off of a sensational two-fight series against former two-time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo. Each fighter won one by knockout. Both incredible battles involved controversies, with each fighter at the center of one.

In the rematch on Oct. 8, 2005, Castillo scored a spectacular one-punch knockout victory. The controversy was that he did not make the 135-pound weight limit, and Corrales' originally scheduled WBC-WBO lightweight world title defense was changed to an over-the-weight, non-title fight.

In their first fight on May 7, 2005, on SHOWTIME, Corrales scored a 10th-round TKO win in a WBO-WBC title unification bout. Many veteran observers rank it as one of the top-10 greatest fights of all time. The controversy involved Corrales, who was knocked down twice earlier in the round, but gained extra time to recover after each knockdown by dropping his mouthpiece.

"It took a little while to really sink in," Corrales said. "Once you started hearing how everybody spoke about it, and how in awe the world was of that fight, it was just incredible to me. I could never fathom anything happening like that.

"It took about two weeks until my body started feeling normal again, and my insides stopped hurting. I came back in such a strong way that it is nice to sit back and watch it. It is kind of a redemption, a rebirth."

Regarding his strategy in their first fight, Corrales said, "I know people expected me to box the first time around, but I had to beat Castillo at his own game.

"Our styles are like mixing two explosive chemicals together. Things are bound to blow up. I am prepared to do it all over again. I have been working hard to improve everything, strength, speed, defense. I know what I am in for, and I am ready."

Corrales moved up to the 135-pound division on Aug. 7, 2004, and won the WBO title with a sensational 10th-round TKO win over previously undefeated defending champion Acelino Freitas.

In his previous fight on March 6, 2004, Corrales won the WBO junior lightweight world title with a 12-round split decision in a rematch against Joel Casamayor. It was the same title that had been vacated by Freitas when he moved up to lightweight.

Corrales is experienced against top opposition and has several impressive wins to his credit. He has fought former world champions Castillo twice (knocked out in fourth round, 10th-round TKO), Freitas (10th-round TKO), Casamayor twice (12-round decision, lost by sixth-round TKO), Floyd Mayweather (lost by 10th-round TKO), Derrick Gainer (third-round TKO) and Robert Garcia (seventh-round TKO).

Key Fights - In his last fight on 10-8-05 in Las Vegas, Corrales was knocked out by Castillo (52-7-1 going in). The rematch headlined a fight card at the Thomas & Mack Center that drew an announced crowd of more than 15,000. It was originally scheduled as a WBC-WBO world title defense for Corrales, but Castillo did not make weight. Therefore, it was changed to a non-title fight.

The action was as intense and exciting as the first fight, but more one-sided. Castillo consistently outworked Corrales and landed the harder punches. Castillo staggered his opponent with a right hand in the third round that sent him stumbling backward across the ring. Castillo then scored a knockdown with a left hook in the fourth that put his foe flat on his back. Corrales struggled to get up at the count of 10, but was counted out at 0:47 and stumbled into the ropes. After three rounds, Castillo led 30-27 twice and 29-28.

"I have no excuses," Corrales said. "Castillo hit me with a good shot."

FIRST WBO LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE DEFENSE, WON WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE - On 5-7-05 in Las Vegas, Corrales TKO'd WBC champion Castillo (52-6-1 going in). An announced attendance of 5,168 was on hand at Mandalay Bay. In a breathtaking battle, the action was close, intense and sustained from the opening bell. Many rounds were fought with the fighters head to head in the center of the ring. Also, there were dramatic shifts in momentum as each fighter steadily wore down the other. Castillo rocked Corrales with uppercuts repeatedly in the early rounds, but Corrales rallied to stagger Castillo late in the seventh and eighth. Both were rocked by simultaneous left hooks at the end of the eighth. Additionally, Castillo was cut over the left eye by a clash of heads in the fourth, and Corrales' left eye became swollen by the seventh.

At the end of nine rounds, the scores were split -- 86-85 and 87-84 for Corrales and 87-84 for Castillo. Castillo scored a devastating knockdown with a left hook early in the 10th that put Corrales flat on his side. The fighter rose from the canvas, but dropped his mouthpiece, which resulted in a break in the action. Moments later, Castillo scored a second knockdown with another left hook that put Corrales flat on his back. The courageous warrior got up again, but again dropped his mouthpiece, which resulted in an even longer break and a one-point penalty.

Castillo moved in for the finish but then, in one of the most dramatic turnarounds in boxing history, Corrales staggered his opponent and drove him back into the ropes, where he rocked Castillo with a series of punches. The referee stopped the fight at 2:06.

"I have been waiting for a chance to prove my will and prove I was a true warrior," Corrales said. "It was a war of attrition. That dude was unreal. How do you take so many clean shots, shots that were grouped together? I will always be a Castillo fan. The guy has earned every bit of my respect. It was a great fight. I went through hell and I survived."

2004 - WON WBO LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE - On 8-7-04 in Mashantucket, Conn., Corrales TKO'd previously undefeated defending champion Freitas (35-0 going in). Freitas dominated the first seven rounds by frustrating Corrales with constant, frantic movement, maintaining a busier pace and landing the sharper punches. After seven rounds, Freitas led 70-63, 69-64 and 68-65. However, Corrales constantly pressed forward and wore him down. Corrales scored knockdowns in the eighth, ninth and 10th rounds. The referee stopped the fight at 1:24 of the 10th. Freitas was penalized one point in the ninth for spitting out his mouthpiece for the second time. After nine rounds, the fight was scored 85-83 for Freitas, 85-84 for Corrales and 84-84.

"I wanted to take my time and put the pressure on," Corrales said. "I figured Freitas would get tired. I wanted to keep the pressure on and pound the body."

WON VACANT WBO JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE - On 3-6-04 in Mashantucket, Corrales won a 12-round split decision in the rematch against former WBA super featherweight champion Casamayor (30-1 going in). Corrales started fast, outworked Casamayor and built an early lead, but Casamayor rallied in the second half of the fight and scored a knockdown in the 10th round. Corrales came back strongly and staggered Casamayor in the 11th. The judges scored it 115-112 twice for Corrales and 114-113 for Casamayor.

2003 - On 10-4-03 in Las Vegas, Corrales was TKO'd by Casamayor (29-1 going in). Corrales rocked his opponent early in the initial stanza, but Casamayor came back and rocked Corrales later in the round. Corrales was cut over the left eye by a clash of heads. Casamayor scored a knockdown in the third round and rocked Corrales later in the round, but was penalized one point for holding behind the head.

Casamayor scored another knockdown early in the fourth, but Corrales rallied to knock down Casamayor midway through the round. Casamayor rocked Corrales early in the fifth round and several more times in the sixth, but Corrales staggered Casamayor late in the sixth round. Corrales' mouthpiece had cut through his mouth from the inside out, and the ringside doctor stopped the fight on the cut after the sixth round.

"The mouthpiece went through my lip," Corrales said. "I really feel like if I continued, I would have stopped him."

On 6-20-03 in Carson, Calif., Corrales knocked out Damian Fuller (21-3 going in). Fuller started fast and outworked Corrales in the first two rounds and staggered Corrales late in the second, but Corrales came back later in the round and landed some effective punches. Corrales scored a knockdown with a left hook early in the third that put Fuller flat on his back. He was counted out at 0:48.

On 4-24-03 in Gulfport, Miss., Corrales knocked out Felix St. Kitts (12-3-2 going in). Corrales scored three knockdowns in the third round, and the referee stopped matters at 1:36.

On 2-22-03 in Memphis, Tenn., Corrales TKO'd Roque Cassiani (21-10-1 going in). Cassiani was floored by a low blow in the opening round, and did not continue after the initial three minutes claiming an arm injury.

On 1-25-03 in Atlantic City, N.J., Corrales TKO'd Mike Davis (23-13 going in). Corrales scored a knockdown in the opening round, cut Davis over the right eye in the fourth and the referee stopped the fight at 1:57 of the fifth round

2001 - WBC SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE CHALLENGE - On 1-20-01 in Las Vegas, Corrales was TKO'd by defending champion Mayweather (24-0 going in). Mayweather kept Corrales off-balance with lateral movement, consistently landed the harder punches and wore him down. Mayweather scored three knockdowns in the seventh round and two in the 10th. Diego's stepfather-trainer, Ray Woods, stopped the fight at 2:19 of the 10th round. After nine rounds, Mayweather led 90-78, 90-79 and 89-79.

"I am angry because a fighter likes to go out on his back," Corrales said. "I do not think anybody had the right to stop the fight."

2000 - THIRD IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - On 9-2-00 in El Paso, Texas, Corrales TKO'd Angel Manfredy (33-4-1 going in). Corrales scored one knockdown in the opening round and two more in the third. The referee stopped the fight at 2:38 of the third round.

On 6-17-00 in Los Angeles, Corrales knocked out Justin Juuko (34-3-1 going in) in a non-title fight. Juuko gave a good effort, but Corrales scored knockdowns in the third and 10th rounds, and stopped him at 2:35 of the 10th. After nine rounds, Corrales led 88-82 twice and 85 apiece.

"I knew from the tapes I watched that Juuko had a pretty good right hand," Corrales said. "He let it fly tonight and caught me a few times. It shows on my face."

SECOND IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - On 3-18-00 in Las Vegas, Corrales TKO'd Derrick Gainer (33-4 going in). Corrales scored two knockdowns in the third round, and the referee stopped the match at 1:50.

1999 - FIRST IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - On 12-4-99 in Lincoln City, Ore., Corrales won a 12-round unanimous decision over John Brown (20-6 going in). Corrales had trouble making weight, but still gave an impressive performance. He bloodied Brown's mouth in the second round, staggered him in the third and won 117-111 and 116-112 twice.

WON IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE - On 10-23-99 in Las Vegas, Corrales TKO'd previously undefeated defending champion Garcia (32-0 going in). Both fighters were rocked in the early rounds, but Corrales came on strong by scoring two knockdowns in the sixth and one in the seventh. The referee stopped the fight without a count at 0:48. After six rounds, the bout was scored 57-55 twice for Corrales and 56 apiece.

"I have been dreaming of getting this title all my life," Corrales said after the fight. "I was nervous. He jarred me late in the third and woke me up."

On 4-2-99 in Chattanooga, Tenn., Corrales TKO'd South American featherweight champion Claudio Martinet (59-7-2 going in) in the fifth round.

1998 - IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR - on 12-18-98 in Sacramento, Calif., Corrales won a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated prospect Gary St. Clair (15-0-1 going in). Corrales pressured St. Clair throughout and was the busier, sharper puncher. He finished strong, dominated the last four rounds and won 118-109, 117-111 and 116-113…

On 11-20-98 in Las Vegas, Corrales TKO'd Hector Arroyo (18-5-2 going in). Corrales scored a knockdown in the last seconds of the first round, and scored another knockdown in the fifth. The referee stopped the fight at 1:01.

On 9-12-98 in Indio, Calif., Corrales knocked out Benito Rodriguez (26-23-2 going in) in the sixth round.

On 8-15-98 in Los Angeles, Corrales knocked out Rafael Morfin (32-6-1 going in) in the second round.

On 7-5-98 in Indio, Corrales won a technical decision against Benito Rodriguez (28-25-2 going in) in the seventh round.

On 5-30-98 in Los Angeles, Corrales knocked out Eduardo Contreras (12-1-3 going in) at 1:12 of the second round.

1997 - On 12-4-97 in Sacramento, Corrales won a 10-round decision over Angel Aldama (29-15-1 going in).

On 8-22-97 in Sacramento, Corrales TKO'd Isagani Pumar (26-9-2 going in). Corrales was rocked in the first round, but came back strong and scored knockdowns in the second and third rounds. The referee stopped the scrap in the fourth round.

On 4-4-97 in Las Vegas, Corrales knocked out fellow-prospect Steve Quinonez (13-1-1 going in). Corrales knocked down Quinonez in the first, won every round and knocked his opponent down again for the full count at 2:21 of the fourth stanza.

Corrales made his pro debut at age 18 on 3-19-96.

AMATEUR, PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Corrales was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and raised in Sacramento. He first started going to the gym with his dad/pro fighter Ray Woods, when he was three years old.

"I was just a mean kid, always getting into fights," Corrales said. "It was typical kid stuff. My dad just wanted me to find something to do to keep me out of trouble. Boxing was the great escape. I have two younger brothers. They both boxed, but I am the only one that stuck with it."

During a stellar amateur career, Corrales won 125 of approximately 145 fights, won the United States Championship, captured a bronze medal at the Pan Am Games and traveled with the U.S. National team.

When Corrales came home from traveling with the U.S. team, however, he was involved with street gangs in Sacramento.

"We did not live in the best part of town, but we did not live in the worst part of town either," Corrales said. "The gang culture almost got to me. I was one of the lucky ones that found a way out of it.

"The U.S. team was able to show me nice things, nice places, but when I got home it was still the same thing."

In one instance, Corrales was shot by the police.

"I was sitting in a stolen car," Corrales said. "Any time a cop shoots five or six rounds at you during a chase that will wake up anybody. I just got lucky. I kept finding my way back to boxing. Boxing really was my safe haven."

Corrales earned a chef's degree at a culinary trade school, but attended the institution for other reasons.

"I went to the Wolf Academy in Sacramento. The main thing was to meet girls. I later found out that it was a predominantly male-orientated field. I got tricked, but I took advantage of it. I got something out of it in the long run. I learned how to cook."

Corrales was married for the second time on New Year's Day 2003.

Corrales' life ended tragically on May 5, 2007 in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 29 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Michelle and his 3 children. Michelle is pregnant with his fourth child.

Read more about Diego Corrales at Showtimeboxing.com