Boxing

 

Exclusive Interview: Diego "Chico" Corrales


Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime

By Ed Ludwig

11.01 - This evening I had the pleasure of speaking with former IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion Diego Corrales. After a two-year absence Corrales (33-1 27 KO's) makes his much anticipated ring return against veteran Freddy Cruz (53-33-10 17 KO's) on January 25th from Bally's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This bout will be the co-feature on the Showtime double bill that also features Sharmba Mitchell (50-3 28 KO's) squaring off against Carlos Vilches (38-2-2 24 KO's). Corrales is very excited to be back. I would like to thank him for taking the time from his busy schedule to speak with East Side Boxing.

Ed Ludwig: How is training camp going and are you ready to go on January 25th?

Diego Corrales: Yeah, I'm ready to go. Training camp has been great. Every thing has been smooth and gone according to plan. I'm happy, feeling good and looking good.

EL: What can you tell us about your opponent Freddy Cruz and what kind of fight do you expect from him?

DC: I expect a good fight from the veteran. It's hard with a guy that you haven't seen to know what you are going to get. I can say this much, whatever he brings I'll be ready for it and I'm sure he will be ready for what I bring. It will be interesting.

EL: During your absence were you able to keep yourself in shape?

DC: I kept myself in pretty good shape. I sparred my second day out and I've done pretty well. I am focused mentally and I'm in good condition.

EL: How long have you been training for this fight?

DC: We've been in the gym since I came back home so that has been eight months now and its non-stop work.

EL: What weight class do you see yourself in for the balance of your career?

DC: For the balance of my career it's hard to say where I will wind up or end off at. With this kind of size I'm sure many people including myself would like to see multiple titles in multiple divisions and because of my size and my frame I'm very capable so we will look at that and say it would be nice if I could grab a whole bunch of titles all the way up the ladder and wind up at 147 or 154, somewhere in that area.

EL: There was a lot of bad blood between you and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Did the mind games and/or making weight throw you off your game plan?

DC: The mind games had little effect. I won't take anything away from Floyd. It was his day and he shined. If he wants to make a believer out of me he has to show me a second time. Weight was a problem and there were a lot of other factors but like I said, I wont take anything away from him because it's not my style. If there is anything slightly wrong at that level of competition where the two of us are on, it could ultimately affect the fight and that's what happened.

EL: Is there still any animosity between you and Floyd or have you both moved on?

DC: I think he has moved on but I have a little grudge because of things that were said that should not have been said. I still have a few issues and a bone to pick with him.

EL: Back to Freddy Cruz for a moment. Common logic would be that you would stop Cruz early. Are you hoping the fight goes a few rounds or would you be content with an early stoppage?

DC: I'll be happy either way. If it comes early then great and if I have to go a few rounds then that is good too. All I want is to put on the performance I know that I am capable of. That would be moving well and landing clean hard shots in succession then I will be happy.

EL: What was it like being a regular feature attraction on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights?

DC: I really loved it. Everybody is very good over there and very nice. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a lot of memories as I basically grew up on ESPN 2. It was very cool.

EL: Many fans got to know the name Diego Corrales from ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights and like you said they grew up with you. Was that something you thought about prior to winning your first world title on a major pay per view?

DC: Absolutely. I think the true fans of Diego know and can relate to me. I'm the type of guy who is down to earth and laid back. They can see that I enjoy what I am doing and that makes me happy. I love the fact they have grown up watching me. It makes a big difference and I get tons of mail and it never slows down. The support I got from the fans when I was gone made a big difference. That shows me the kind of impact I have made. I'm happy.

EL: How did you and James Prince get together?

DC: Well, he came to see me while I was gone and you have to respect any man who can come to a place like that and visit and talk with me and I respect him a lot for doing that. He kept his word on everything he said he would do. That is what makes our relationship work.

EL: You have been through a lot, almost like a soap opera. In your mind do have to separate your personal life from the business of boxing so you can stay focused on the tasks at hand?

DC: No, I think that if you take away the personal traumas and things that went on in my life that you would be taking away a piece of what makes Chico, Chico. That is one of the things that keeps pushing me harder, pushes me over the edge. It pushes me a little further then what these other guys that may have more talent but cant seem to make that next step and where I will put it all on the line. I have no fear. I can't separate that part of my life from boxing. It makes me stronger and I need that.

EL: What are you hoping to accomplish this year?

DC: The main thing is to spend much time with my kids as possible and make them proud. Making my kids and wife happy. That is most important to me.

EL: Some people may not know this but you are an accomplished chef. What is the story behind your hidden talent?

DC: I went to the Wolf Academy in Sacramento. The main thing was to meet girls and that was it. I later found out that it was a predominantly male orientated field. I got tricked but I took advantage of it.

EL: When your boxing career comes to an end would you like to be an owner/head chef of a restaurant one day?

DC: I would like to be an owner. I'm more interested in owning businesses then anything else so I wouldn't mind owning a restaurant, actually a couple of them. My heart and my soul are really buried in sports so hopefully I can become an agent and/or manager. I have always loved sports and there is this special type of energy and camaraderie involved and I do understand what it takes to be a great athlete. There are a lot of young up and coming athletes and I can help them understand the downfalls and the places you can get caught and tied up in.

EL: How old were you when you first laced up the gloves and what can you tell us about your amateur career?

DC: I was three when I first put on gloves. My amateur background was good. I was on the U.S. team and I had a lot of fights and travelled a lot with the team. I had a great time and loved my amateur career. U.S.A Boxing took good care of the team and many of us matured from travelling all over the world.

EL: I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview.

DC: It was my pleasure.

Questions or Comments: ed.ludwig@eastsideboxing.com

0 comments
 


Bookmark and Share

 

If you detect any issues with the legality of this site, problems are always unintentional and will be corrected with notification.
The views and opinions of all writers expressed on eastsideboxing.com do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Management.
Copyright © 2001- 2015 East Side Boxing.com - Privacy Policy