Exclusive Interview With Diego
Corrales
Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime
By Ed Ludwig
23.04 - Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Diego
"Chico" Corrales prior to him boarding the
plane en route to Gulfport Mississippi. Corrales (35-1
29 KO's) will now face late replacement Felix "The
Cat" St. Kitts (12-3-2 7 KO's) in the main event
of the ShoBox double feature that will also have undefeated
Ishe Smith in the co-main event. Showtime will be televising
the twin bill this Thursday at 11 pm eastern. I would
like to thank Diego for speaking with Eastside Boxing.
Ed Ludwig: How was training camp for you?
Diego Corrales: I am ready as I ever will be. Lot of
preparation and hard work went into it and I'm glad
it's over. Just trying to get my self in championship
form. My wife is glad it's over because I'm not home
much and out three times a day because of training.
EL: Have you been disappointed that your last two
fights have not gone very many rounds? I could tell
you were angry about the Cassiani fight.
DC: I felt he took a cheap way out and I was not very
happy about it.
EL: Assuming everything goes well this Thursday
what do you hope for in the near future?
DC: Leonard Dorin and Paul Spadafora are getting ready
to fight each other and with that fight happening that
narrows down my plan of attack so I will have to make
my run and go after Artur Grigorian for the WBO title
and go from there.
EL: Any prediction for Dorin vs. Spadafora?
DC: No, not at all. Dorin is the "Rocky"
of the sport. He will keep punching and coming forward
so Spadafora will have to work hard and keep him off
by using his jab. I don't want to put myself on the
line and pick a winner there.
EL: Style wise do you see yourself matching up better
with Dorin or Spadafora?
DC: Style wise both are awesome but I would say fighting
Spadafora would be more exciting for the fans. If anything
he makes it more exciting for the fans plus I have fought
many southpaws and none of them have made it past four
rounds with me. Dorin being a short guy cuts easy and
pushes forward and I'm sure the fans would prefer that
one. Normally the guys who don't back up are the ones
you can make back up by using straight hard right hands
and uppercuts. They can't get any balance and they keep
turning around and I love it.
EL: Did you see the Mayweather - Sosa fight on the
weekend?
DC: I did, I had to watch my investment. I thought
the scoring was closer then how the judges had it. Things
are being narrowed down with Dorin and Spadafora meeting
soon and I will eventually get a rematch with Mayweather.
I had a mental goal but Dorin and Spadafora threw a
monkey wrench into that.
EL: Angel Manfredy and Victoriano Sosa were scheduled
to fight each other on two occasions before it fell
through. If it did happen whom do you think would have
won?
DC: Manfredy because he is a very sharp puncher, not
solid or heavy but very clean puncher and that always
makes a difference.
EL: We always hear fighters calling each other out
so why doesn't anyone ever call you out?
DC: To tell you the honest truth and it may sound a
little conceited and I hope people don't take it that
way but I am a genuine threat and not many people want
to fight me because I am a dangerous person. I can box
and punch and a big threat so that is why you won't
hear my name called out.
EL: Max Kellerman often plugs the Ring Magazine
rankings. Do you pay much attention to that?
DC: There is a bad thing about the sanctioning bodies
and they always look at it from a business point of
view and for the Ring I would say it's a little less
biased. There are a lot of guys who deserve title and
shots and wont get them. The IBF forced me to face my
mandatory John Brown and certain fighters are not of
the same calibre as others.
EL: Oscar De La Hoya and Yory Boy Campas are scheduled
to meet on May 3rd. In the year of upsets thus far it
is also the year of mismatches. What are your thoughts
on this upcoming battle?
DC: I think if anything Campas can make it a tough
fight for De La Hoya. I'm not sure why there are not
many good fights being made. Part of it has to do with
the champions and then the promoters. There are many
talented people out there but it all comes down to the
fighter and promoter. The best should be fighting the
best.
EL: During the course of your career have you been
put in a situation where you thought a fight of yours
would be a complete mismatch and you did not want any
part of it?
DC: No, I can't say that I have. I know all of my fights
had the potential to be a loss. That's what makes things
exciting for me and I need that excitement knowing that
I could lose. You need that bit of fear, anticipation
and nerve. You need that or you will lose your drive.
EL: As always it has been great speaking with you
and thanks very much for your time.
DC: Thank you and I will talk to you again soon.
Questions Or Comments: ed.ludwig@eastsideboxing.com
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