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Photo © Brendon Pierpaoli
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At the official press conference on Monday at Shelly's in New York to announce the fight, unbeaten Brazilian bomber Acelino 'Popo' Freitas and two-time world champion Diego 'Chico' Corrales both predicted knockouts when they do battle for Freitas' WBO 135-pound title on August 7 in one of this year's most eagerly anticipated showdowns. Banner Promotions will present the event from Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut and Showtime will televise.
“This is going to be a very difficult, emotional, exciting fight, and I am more than ready," Freitas, 35-0 (31), told the assembled media. "Corrales is an excellent fighter and hard puncher, but I am prepared for anything that he brings and am confident that I will win. His style is good for me. He is a clever boxer and an excellent counter-puncher, but I am even a better counter-puncher and much quicker. If and when I hit him flush, the fight will be over."
Freitas, who in the past has been accused of dodging real challenges since narrowly out-pointing Joel Casamayor in a super featherweight unification bout in 2002, should be commended for taking on one of the hardest pure punchers in the game.
“Corrales is taller than me, but that is not a concern because I have defeated tall opponents before," explained Freitas. "I did not study any tapes of him. I hardly ever watch tapes because fighters change from fight to fight. Corrales fought Joel Casamayor, and Casamayor is a dirty fighter and a southpaw, so it would not do me any good to watch that fight over and over. This is the most important fight of my career. If I win, I can turn my focus to getting a fight with Floyd Mayweather, whom I have been calling out for three years."
Corrales has rejuvenated his career since a two-year enforced hiatus from the ring due to legal troubles. After a disputed sixth round stoppage loss to Casamayor due to severe lacerations inside his mouth in October 2003, Corrales came back to show he can box as well as bang in the rematch, winning a split decision over twelve rounds in March of this year.
“Freitas is a class act, a gentleman and an awesome, explosive fighter, but we both want the same thing," said Corrales, 38-2 (31), whose only loss other loss is to pound-for-pound claimant Floyd Mayweather Jr. "There is no way this fight can end in anything but a knockout. Look at our records and our knockout percentages. How can it go the distance? I can see us maybe boxing a little at the beginning, but, at some point, it will be an all-out fight. I expect he will bring along his 'A' game, and I will bring mine. I really feel it is going to be the fight of the year. I love these kinds of match-ups. I love these kinds of fights.
"I know that I have to pay attention all the time because of Freitas’ punching power. Going up five pounds in weight is not a big deal for me at all. I am 6-feet tall so, if anything, it should make me stronger. Freitas says he has fought a lot of 'name' fighters, but has he fought more 'name' guys than me? I have fought them all, and am willing to fight anybody. It is hard to say exactly what kind of chin Freitas has, but we are going to find out for sure on Aug. 7."
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
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By Anthony Cocks (June 22, 2004) 
