05.03.04 – By Marc Abrams: The last time Joel Casamayor and Diego Corrales were in the ring together, they were fighting on a card billed as “The War On October 4”. That was the title for the main event that consisted of James Toney destruction of Evander Holyfield. The real war that night was the hotly contested 130 pound showdown between the afore mentioned Casamayor and Corrales. That night Casamayor scored a disputed 6th round TKO when ring doctor Margret Goodman ruled that the blood coming out of Corrales mouth was too severe for him to continue. The rematch will be held Saturday night at the Foxwoods resort in Connecticut, and as an added bonus the Vacant WBO Super Featherweight title will be on the line. On the undercard, Mark “2 Sharp”Johnson will make the 1st defense of his WBO Super Flyweight title against the undefeated Colombian challenger Luis Bolano. These 2 fights will be broadcast to a nation wide audience via Showtime Championship Boxing.
Casamayor, is 32 years old and lives in Miami by way of Guantanamo, Cuba. He brings an outstanding record of 30-1 (19 KO’s). This decorated former Olympian won the WBA Super Featherweight title in June, 1999 with a Unanimous decision over Antonio Hernandez. He defended that title 6 times that included wins over David Santos in November, 1999(UD), Roberto Garcia in January, 2001(TKO 9). His biggest fight to date was the only defeat Cassamyor has incurred. In January of 2002, Cassamayor attempted to capture the belt he is fighting for on Saturday, when he came up against the Brazilian sensation Acelino Freitas. This was a very controversial fight, as Freitas won all 3 scorecards 114-112. The decisive margin was the controversial knockdown Freitas scored in round 3, and the 1 point deduction that was handed to Casamayor in round 6 for hitting on the break. Since then, he has won 4 straight fights including a highly competitive decision over great prospect Nate Campbell (UD); and the before mentioned 1st fight with Corrales. He brings a 7-1, 4 Ko’s record in championship fights.
The 26 year old Las Vegas resident, Corrales, is seeking redemption to a fight he thought was unjustly stopped and wanted go on. He is a former IBF Super Featherweight champ. He won the belt with a 7th round TKO of the aforementioned Roberto Garcia in October, 1999. He made 3 defenses of the crown, with victories over John Brown(UD), Derrick Gainer (TKO 3), and Angel Manfredy(TKO 3). After fighting Manfredy, he then Vacated the title and took a shot against the great Floyd Mayweather jr. In that fight Corrales was knocked down 5 times and his corner threw in the towel in the 10th round. Since the loss to Mayweather, Corrales is 4-1(4), with the only loss to Casamayor.
I believe this fight will be similar to the 1st fight, with Corrales pressing the action and Casamyor countering and picking his spots. A unique dynamic for this fights is the addition of Joe Goosen in the corner for Corrales. Gossen ironically was in the corner for Casamayor for the 1st fight. Casamayor added the great trainer of Buddy McGirt for this fight. There should be no feeling out and I expect this to be a continuation of the 1st fight, but this time Corrales landing the big shots and possibly a late round knockout.
The WBO Super Flyweight Johnson in one of the best little men of the past 20 years brings in a tremendous record of 42-3(27). He is coming off an upset win to capture the belt over Fernando Montiel, last August. The 3 time world championship first won the IBF Flyweight title with an explosive 1st round knockout of Fransisco Tejedor. Johnson defended that title 7 times, with 6 knockouts in that span. He moved up to win the IBF super flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Ratanachai Vorapin in April, 1999. He defended that title one time with 1 no contest. After Vacating the belt to moved up to Bantamweight, where in his 3rd fight at the weight, he lost a split decision to current Bantamweight Rafael Marquez, in a fight where he lost 2 points for holding. In the rematch he was knocked out the bigger Marquez in the 8th round. He is 11-0-1 no contest with 5 knockouts in world title fights.
The 34 year old Bolano is from Cordoba, Colombia. He brings a very impreesive record of 38-0(28). He has been off for almost a year when won a unanimous decision victory over Cecilo Santos, in an Eliminator fight for this belt.
Just for the experience factor in being in big fights for the better part of the last decade, I see Johnson scoring a late round knockout over the tough Colombian.