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Sports
May. 08, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Corrales killed in crash

Former champ was 'true warrior in ring'

By MATT YOUMANS and DAVID KIHARA
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Diego Corrales, who scored one of the most memorable knockouts in recent history, was killed in a motorcycle crash Monday, exactly two years after that fight with Jose Luis Castillo.
Photo by John Gurzinski.



Diego Corrales hits the speed bag during a workout before his May 7, 2005, fight with Jose Luis Castillo. Corrales was killed Monday night in a motorcycle crash on Fort Apache Road near Russell Road.
Photo by John Gurzinski.

Diego Corrales, a former super featherweight and lightweight boxing champion, was killed Monday night in a traffic accident on Fort Apache Road near Russell Road.

Corrales, 29, a Las Vegas resident, was riding a motorcycle at the time of the accident.

Gary Shaw, Corrales' promoter, confirmed that Corrales was the victim. Shaw, who lives in New Jersey, said he spoke with Corrales' manager, James Prince, who arrived at the scene and identified Corrales.

"It's a sad, cold way to die, and I know deep down he's trying to get up off the ground right now," Shaw said. "He was a true warrior in the ring.

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    • "I'm proud to have represented him. He's the first fighter I've had die on me. It's a weird feeling."

    Las Vegas police Sgt. Tracy McDonald said he could not confirm the victim in the fatal accident was Corrales. He said a motorcyclist was northbound on Fort Apache at about 7:15 p.m. when he drove into the rear of a 1997 Honda Accord.

    The victim was thrown from the motorcycle and flew into an oncoming 2004 two-door Mercedes-Benz sedan, McDonald said.

    Corrales was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

    McDonald said the motorcyclist was wearing a full-face helmet. He said the motorcyclist's failure to decrease his speed when he approached the Honda contributed to the accident, but the incident remains under investigation.

    Corrales had a professional record of 40-5, with 33 wins by knockout, and was best known for a pair of 2005 fights against Jose Luis Castillo.

    His death came two years to the day of his most memorable fight. On May 7, 2005, Corrales defeated Castillo for the WBC lightweight title with a 10th-round TKO. The fight was regarded as the best of 2005.

    "His first fight with Castillo is one that will be remembered for a long time," Shaw said.

    Their rematch five months later was won by Castillo with a fourth-round knockout.

    Corrales fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC super featherweight title on Jan. 20, 2001. Mayweather knocked Corrales down five times and Corrales' corner stopped the fight. It was the first loss of his career.

    After losing to Mayweather, Corrales ran into personal problems. Accused of violence against his pregnant ex-wife, Corrales accepted a plea bargain and spent 14 months in prison.

    Corrales returned to the ring in 2003 with Shaw as his promoter. On March 6, 2004, Corrales fought Joel Casamayor for the vacant WBO super featherweight title, which Corrales won by split decision.

    Five months later, Corrales won the WBO lightweight title from Acelino Freitas with a TKO in the 10th round.

    "He had some troubles and some problems of late, and I know he was working hard to overcome that," Shaw said.

    Corrales considered leaving Shaw's company for Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

    "We had a close relationship, and then it got a little rocky when De La Hoya tried to steal him from me," said Shaw, who worked with Corrales last month.

    In his last bout on April 7, Corrales fought in the welterweight division and lost a unanimous decision to Joshua Clottey in Springfield, Mo.

    Corrales won the first world title of his career when he took the IBF super featherweight belt with a seventh-round TKO of Roberto Garcia on Oct. 23, 1999, at the MGM Grand Garden.

    "He was what boxing is all about," Shaw said. "He left it all in the ring."

    Shaw said he hopes the Boxing Hall of Fame will make a "special exception" and induct Corrales as soon as possible.

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    Lance wrote on May 09, 2007 05:09 AM: I was a huge fan. He truely was the definition of the word "champion". Rest in peace.


    Eddie Barrios wrote on May 08, 2007 10:55 PM: Today the boxing world is at still. For the loss of a great warrior and family man who brought us memorable fights for la raza. May his soul rest in peace. My prayers and condolence to the Corrales family.You will be missed but never forgotten.~ Eddie Barrios


    Sergio Flores wrote on May 08, 2007 03:43 PM: I would like to send my deepest condolences to Diego’s family in what must be an unbearable time. Please know that Diego was a good man who has left us far too soon; But he’s in a much better place now. And he’ll watch over his loved ones from up above. He will be missed. He was a great example of what boxing should be and will be greatly missed. My thought and prayers are with him and his family. Thank you Diego, you will not be forgotten. ~Serg


    Erick wrote on May 08, 2007 03:05 PM: Never had the pleasure of meeting the man.
    However, the memories and the trills of his fights, will forever remind us of what a true warrior he truly was.
    Boxing has lost one of the very rare fighters, who always thought about his fans.
    R.I.P. Diego, my heart goes out to his surviving widow, and his children.


    Danny wrote on May 08, 2007 12:16 PM: We had some great times at Big Rich's Diego. You will be missed. Rest in Peace bro.


    Robinson wrote on May 08, 2007 11:05 AM: Never had the pleasure of meeting the man, but he seemed "real", and that's why I'm saddened by his premature departure.


    SAMUEL wrote on May 08, 2007 10:31 AM: corrales is and always will be # 1 in my books your knock outs are supper its hard to lose you. that day we met at rj's you were very cool dude i will miss you and your boxing from your friend samuel


    Chico Fan In Maryland wrote on May 08, 2007 09:31 AM: His loss is a tragedy. The man was a great warrior in the boxing ring and will be greatly missed by his fans around the world.


    stacy meadows wrote on May 08, 2007 08:52 AM: RIP Chico
    You will forever be in our hearts. We will love and miss you


    Stacy wrote on May 08, 2007 08:48 AM: Chico was a true fighter. To my cousin We will forever remember you and will keep you in our hearts. We love you.


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