Corrales Opens Big Bear Training Camp Today

Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime

BIG BEAR, CA (August 18, 2003) - Former IBF jr. lightweight champion DIEGO "CHICO" CORRALES, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC (GSP), opens camp today, in the high altitude and solitude of Big Bear, CA., preparing for his showdown against former WBA super featherweight champion Joel Casamayor. Their 12-round rumble will highlight the "War on October 4" pay-per-view extravaganza at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, NV.

The once-beaten champions boast a combined record of
66-2 (49 KOs) -- a near-perfect winning percentage of 97%!

"I have a lot of respect for Joel," said Corrales. "But I have no fear of the man. At The Apollo Theatre in Harlem, when an act stunk, it was given the hook. That is exactly what I am going to do to Casamayor's act. I am going to give him the hook…the LEFT HOOK! I am going to turn out his house lights. I want my jr. lightweight title back. I want all the 130-pound titles and Joel Casamayor is not going to stop me. Casamayor will fall!"

Gary Shaw echoed Corrales' sentiments.

"I have worked with a lot of great champions over the years but I have never seen anyone more determined than Diego," said Shaw. "He is boxing's comeback story of the year, returning after a two-year hiatus from the ring and winning four fights in six months all by knockout. He is literally a heartbeat away from becoming a world champion again. I am so proud of him."

Corrales, 37-1 (31 KOs), of Sacramento, CA, captured the IBF title, October 23, 1999, dethroning champion Robert Garcia via a seventh-round TKO. He held the title for nearly two years, which included successful defenses against Derrick Gainer, Angel Manfredy and John Brown. He was dealt his only loss in 2001, against undefeated WBC champion Floyd Mayweather, where personal problems prevented him from training properly. Since resuming his career in January, Corrales has gone 4-0 (4 KOs), against four opponents with a combined record of 77-29-3, en route to becoming a top-rated contender in the WBA and the IBF.

The other main event bout on this card is a 12-round heavyweight special attraction between four-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and IBF cruiserweight champion James Toney.