Michelle Corrales: A widow’s reflection


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Michelle Corrales: A widow’s reflection

By Interview by Realtorchill, Doghouse Boxing (May 15, 2008) Doghouse Boxing

On Monday, May 7, 2007 at approximately 7:20 p.m., Michelle Corrales received a call from a close friend of her husband who disclosed some terrible news. “Actually, I thought that maybe they were playing a joke on me,” Michelle says. “Of course, the pit of my stomach just felt really bad... could this possibly be true, or maybe it was just me hoping this was a joke.” She frantically called around to several sources, but unfortunately, her worst fears were confirmed. Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales had died in a motorcycle accident.

Michelle set aside May 7, 2008, the first anniversary of Chico’s death, to honor him with family and friends. It started with a 2:30pm memorial ceremony at the grave site. Legendary boxing referee Richard Steele gave a short, but sincere oration offering words of comfort to those assembled. That evening, a candlelight visual was held at the sight of the fatal accident. After a long and emotional day, Michelle took time to sit down with me and have an open and honest discussion about her innermost feelings. As I listened to her speak, I realized how inaccurate some of the rumors were surrounding the incident. However, it was also apparent that Mrs. Corrales was not totally interested in dispelling false rumors; she seemed more interested, rather, in focusing on the positive. Clearly, her priority is letting the world know how important Diego was to her, his family, and how much she appreciates the support of his fans from around the world.

As Michelle gazes up, sitting comfortably, she reflects on Chico’s background. “He was born in Columbia, South Carolina on a military base, and raised in Sacramento, California. He grew up in a home with two brothers and a very

supportive father who was athletic with them and was really into boxing. And he instilled that in Diego, actually all three boys. Diego was the one that excelled.”

She smiles when she thinks back to the time they met. “He met me while I was out with my family, and he was out with his family. We happened to be at the same place celebrating New Year’s Eve. We knew each other for two years, and then got married.”

I wondered how she would like her late husband to be remembered: “For his kindness, his courage that he showed in the ring. He used to always say that he wanted to be a legend in boxing. And I feel that he gave the sport of boxing some really good fights. And anyone who had a chance to meet him knew that he was the type of guy that would stand in a venue for hours signing autographs and pleasing the audience and public. I would prefer for him to be remembered just as that. Very nice guy, down to earth, never allowed the sport to consume him, and very approachable. Above and beyond the fact of being a warrior in the ring.” She laughed at the notion that there was another fighter like him. “Not that I know of. That’s a hard question. I don’t know their dedication and their heart and commitment level. If I had to pick someone… I couldn’t.”

Michelle never felt the boxing world treated her husband as well as he treated it. But she carries absolutely no bitterness for the sport’s apparent cruel treatment of its athletes. “Like most other unknowing fighters that just… that’s what they do. They’re not businessmen; they’re boxers. They’re fighters. And unfortunately, because they aren’t businessmen, it generally allows the sport . . . the business side of the sport to swallow them up.” (Thanks to his great relationship with the fans, who might have made up for it.) “For Diego, it (the fans) possibly did. Because he really, truly enjoyed being the guy that was liked by so many people, and I really think that they mattered to him more than the business side. He really just cared about being the guy that can make you happy or smile, the guy that could make your day because you bumped into him. He enjoyed that more.”

When Diego Corrales passed, rumors flew about a multitude of subjects. His finances, professional and personal future were all put in question. Even his willingness to live was doubted by some. Michelle has heard it all. “All of the boxing business rumors have been put to rest. The only thing that I’d like to clarify is... no, I don’t know what to say, you know? It’s kind of hard. I don’t have any boxing rumors to clear up or anything, because I’m unaware to what extent they are. Of course he did (have financial difficulties), but not family difficulties. He was excited about delivering his son. He delivered our daughter. He was equally excited about delivering his son. So I do know that even for a person who... for all intent and purposes... if we said here’s a guy who is unhappy with life, and is losing everything, or losing his wife, doesn’t have as much money as he should have, miserable with this, that, and the other. Even with that being said, if he were that guy, it’s very important to understand that... that would have never been the day to be chosen to have something so tragic happen, because he did have good things to look forward to still. He was in negotiations and talking to people, and possibly going to Golden Boy and things like that. Honestly, things were more positive than they were reported by the media. And he also, definitely, really looked forward to the birth of his son. We just did an ultrasound days before. He was really excited about Diego, Jr. It wasn’t like he was being a daredevil. He was driving his bike. He didn’t die popping a wheelie down the road. He died because of speed. If anyone understood the type of bike he was riding, you have a go a certain speed in order for the bike to function right.”

After being around the sport for a long time, Michelle has learned a lot about it. Now, she wants to continue from where Diego left off and make a positive impact. “I definitely plan on staying close to the boxing world. My good friend Jin Mosley and I were talking about trying to help several fighters. We want to help fighters who have fallen, and help fighters that may not be able to provide for themselves; fighters that are going to the Olympics that need decent things. We have a lot of ideas right now. We want to start a union for fighters, altogether. We want to help fighters, because so many don’t have anything after retirement. There’s so much that can be done, but just isn’t. I want to touch on all of that.”

We all have our theories and suggestions for this sport we love. I’ve heard hundreds of ideas, but I wasn’t surprised that the widow of the man who starred in the greatest boxing event that I had ever witnessed put it better than the vast majority. When she spoke about the pitfalls, she offered solutions, not the typical excuse-making. “I think it’s because you’re only as good as your previous fight and your next proposed fight in boxing. It’s not like baseball or football. That whole concept that there’s no ‘I’ in team, well for a fighter, it’s only ‘I’. It’s ‘I’ in every aspect. It’s ‘I’ if you’re the promoter. It’s ‘I’ if you’re the fighter. It’s ‘I’ if you’re the manager. Instead of looking at it like it’s all one big team, looking to be successful together, it’s not like that. A promoter will bargain this fighter to get the next fighter. You know, behind the scenes, in my opinion, they don’t really care about the fighter at the end of the day. It’s all about the next business deal. Until you get a third-party entity, some type of organization that oversees what’s happening with the fighters, I don’t think anything is going to change. One step would be a national organization that could provide these poor guys with health insurance. You know, that would be a huge step in the right direction. And it’s something so simple. Why can’t it be? Even if you forced the promoter to pay for it... the promoter has to. I think it should be part of a promotional contract. You know, if you’re in turn an independent contractor, why not be provided with some type of insurance? Technically, the fighter is only fighting for the promoter …. one year, two years, whatever... one fight, two fights, three fights, whatever . . . but yet, the fighter is still an “independent contractor.” But in actuality, if I know I’m signed with Top Rank for three years, I’m with Top Rank for three years. So why isn’t there something in Top Rank to provide me with decent health care coverage? You know? Even if I have to pay for it myself, at least it should be an option. And in all honesty, it’s so simple. These promoters could go get a group plan... Gary Shaw, GSP, whatever... go to Blue Shield, sign up for a group plan to cover all of your fighters and their families, some type of health care, you know.”

When the discussion returns to the personal matters, Michelle’s facial expression says a million words. It indicates to me that she wants no sympathy, maybe not even understanding, because who really could understand what’s she’s going through? Soon, she’ll put together a foundation that carries the Diego Corrales legacy forever. But before that, she’ll continue to find her way back to normalcy. “There’s been a lot going on with me. Having the baby, going through a lot of emotional trials and tribulations, ups and downs, highs and lows. So I haven’t been able to focus on the foundation, but I should have it set up in a couple of months. It’s been lonely, chaotic. It’s been a different year. It’s been a year of adjustments, losing a husband, gaining a child. Realizing that I have two small children to raise alone, one teenager to continue to raise. It’s definitely been a challenge. I’d be happy with actually knowing that the foundation is for whatever my future holds, knowing that I made a step in the right direction to make maybe the year after next that much better, knowing that I did something positive. I’m not exactly sure what I want to do, 100%. I’m the type of person that if I truly have my mind made up, I go for it, balls to the wall. I just don’t really know. Maybe because I’m not happy with anything right now. I don’t know exactly where my happiness lies.”

But one thing that she does constantly is think about her husband. “Oh gosh, every day, countless, countless times I think about Diego, whether it’s good or bad. It’s all good, but I don’t even... I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times... I’d lose count. The biggest thing I miss is the good night’s sleep that I can get, the good night of sleep. He would always hold me every night, so I would get the best sleep ever. I think I miss that the most. I miss the way he interacted with the kids. He was always taking them somewhere. We were always doing something as a family. I think I just miss having that male figure around, basically have a daddy there, you know. Whether it’s... here, hold the kids, grab the diaper bag. You know what else is weird? I miss the stability, someone I could turn to. Like in a relationship, it’s both of you together. It’s 50/50. Ultimately, you know your role and they know their role. As much as I may not feel like doing the dishes or washing the clothes, that was still my role. I knew I would do whatever it takes to get things done. And with Diego, he was the man of the house. He was the provider; he would fix things. I bought a new ceiling fan, and it’s been sitting in my garage for six months. Diego would have hung it up, just little things like that. I miss knowing I had that other person doing their role. It’s not all on me.”

Now that it is just her, she is able to feel the good vibes that his fans send. I could sense how sincere and genuine she feels. “I feel honored to know that he was loved so much. And those are people, even if they heard negative rumors, those were people that were true fans of his. In the ring, there are no rumors. He showed what he could do. And really, that’s why you like or dislike a fighter, for his performances in the ring. And I think that his real fans judge him and love him for that. You take that and compile it with the person that would stand in the arena for two and three hours after a fight, taking pictures and signing autographs, how could you not? And if you’re truly a fan of boxing, how could you not be a Diego Corrales fan? Anyone that truly likes boxing, how could they ever not like Diego Corrales? He gives you what you want.”

Amen. Rest in peace, Chico.

Questions, comments: Email Realtorchill@aol.com.