| Corrales-Casamayor III 10-6-06 Quite a bit has changed since March 2004 in the careers of Diego Corrales and Joel Casamayor. The boxing world was given the gift of the epic Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo clash and the ensuing fallout of their second fight, and aborted third fight. Corrales also knocked out Acelino Freitas in brutal fashion in that time. Casamayor meanwhile is 3-1-1 since March ‘04, with a loss to the aforementioned Castillo and a draw with Kid Diamond in a strange fight. Three wins over fringe contenders round out Casamayor’s resume in that time. Why is March 2004 so relevant to today you ask. That is the last time Chico and El Cepillo (“The Hairbrush“, don’t ask me why) got it on. That fight, like the first was hotly contested with many close rounds and a few knockdowns thrown in for good measure. Obviously these were two evenly matched, if stylistically different fighters. These guys could fight ten times, and each would win five, or so it seemed. In October of 2006, I am no longer so sure of this. Corrales, while still employing the warrior’s heart style of fighting, seems to have maintained that edge which made him a near great. Casamayor on the other hand looks to have slipped just enough to struggle with the Kid Diamond’s of the world, and not completely dominate guys like Daniel Seda and Lamont Pearson. The reason’s may be many. Casamayor had an extensive amateur career in Cuba, fighting hundred’s of fights and adding wear and tear to his ring odometer. He is also a reported 35, which may or may not be the case, given the way a few well known Cuban athletes over the years have shaved a few years off their bio’s. Where is this leading me? It may just be a case of my heart speaking for my mind. I may be trying to convince myself and you that Corrales should win the rubber match between these two. We’ll find out Saturday night, but the Arturo Gatti fan in me hopes the warrior after his own heart knocks Casamayor out. |
