TalkingBoxing Interviews
Talking Boxing with DIEGO CORRALES
THU July 14, COYOTE DURAN - Much like everyone else who was waiting with bated breath for the
World Lightweight title clash between Jose Luis Castillo and
Diego Corrales, I assumed it was going to be an entertaining,
tactical, slugfest that would deliver to the masses. Why not? You could
easily expect that from these men who have always put forth their best
under pressure and have honed themselves into top notch, upper echelon,
elite fighters. How could fans not go wrong?
Well, on May 7, 2005, we writers, fans and sports fans alike were given a gift like no other when Castillo clashed with Corrales to unify their respective WBC and WBO lightweight straps and Castillo's Ring World Championship. What ensued was 10 rounds of unprecedented, slacked jawed greatness that wasn't delivered in slices, but in entire main dishes of brutality, will and heart. The end result was astounding and saw Corrales rise from the canvas from two knockdowns that many saw as harbingers of doom for the then-WBO titlist. Corrales would then go on to mercilessly batter his surprised opponent into defensiveless helplessness while gaining the distinction of being the One True World Champion in the lightweight division.
Our Sport was in utter shock, amazement, euphoria and intoxication all at once. And it was beautiful. For weeks, the names Corrales and Castillo were on the lips of every fight fan and in the ears of anyone, fan or not, who would listen. This fight, dear Howlers, was borne of the template that has made this sport great for decades. But I don't have to tell you, right?
I caught up with "Chico" 2 months after his grueling confrontation with "El Temible" to give up the goods on the upcoming rematch with Castillo (scheduled for October 8), what the past greats of the sport thought of him, hoe he sees himself in the current mix of top lightweights and what he feels he needs to do to be ultimately known as the man at 135 pounds.
Coyote Duran: Even if it is a couple of months after the fact, congratulations are still warranted on an Earth-shattering victory.
Diego Corrales: Thank you! Thank you very much.
Coyote Duran: I know that right after a fight there's got to be the adrenaline pumping. There's got to be an absolutely different crazy, wacky, zany state of mind after such a huge win. Being that your fight with Jose Luis Castillo is what many are calling a "Fight of the Decade", a "Fight of the Millenium", what are the feelings like when you reflect on your victory two months later now that everything is healed up and that you're in a different mindset?
Diego Corrales: It feels the same as it always has, y' know. It's been pretty normal to me. A lot more "hustle and bustle." A lot more phone calls. Tons of interviews. A lot more travelling. But overall? It's been great! I mean, it's been awesome. I've had a good time. I try to enjoy it because it's hard to reach this point in your career and for me to have officially done that is pretty nice.
Coyote Duran: That's gotta be mindblowing. Personally, I'll never forget that night. Chico, there's been a lot of talk that you were possibly going to give Acelino Freitas a rematch. There's also the Artie Pellulo (Freitas' promoter) connection that had to be ironed out where he had an option that said you had to face Freitas. Well, I guess that's out of the way and now the Castillo rematch is being discussed. Can you give me any new details on that?
Diego Corrales: Yeah, that's happening in October. We are ready to move forward with the fight with Castillo in October. Artie did try to enforce his rights to a rematch and the whole problem with that was He had to get me back in the ring by August. But we all know that after such a brutal, brutal fight, as you can see things are starting to slow down a little bit, there's no way that I could get back into that ring by August.
Coyote Duran: Unquestionably. I think a lot of us felt the same way. But the likes of Top Rank Promotions were really lobbying for a rematch with you and Castillo. Many were wondering whether or not that was even a good idea. With the brutality of the fight alone and the enregy expended and the back and forth, would it have been wise to have a fight with anyone that soon? There was just so much that was left in the ring that night. I was exhausted and I wasn't even in the ring!
Diego Corrales: Yeah, it was very hard to imagine doing it all over again at any point. Me and him (Castillo).....when we get together, the obvious thing is that there is no choice but for sparks to fly. Our styles, our mentalities are exactly alike. We basically think the same way. It's all or nothing and we both fight that way. We care for that win and the end result is the fight that everybody just recently seen. And here we are. We're gettin' ready to do it again. So, there is no choice but for it to happen all over again.
Coyote Duran: Well, this (first) fight really changed the view of the fight game. I remember the day after the fight, I shot over to Wal-Mart and I picked up a big multi-pack of videotapes and when Showtime presented the fight on their On Demand menu, I taped the fight on every single videotape and I handed it out to friends who don't watch boxing. Now they all watch boxing and half of 'em are new Showtime subscribers.
Diego Corrales: (Laughs)
Coyote Duran: I'll tell ya, I certainly don't know how I would feel if a fight that I was in had made this kind of impact. I mean, it's being called "Fight of the Year," "Fight of the Decade." It's being referred to as "Hagler vs. Hearns Times Ten." Has it really sunk in that this is the stuff that legends are made of and that it really brought life back to a sport that has had its share of black eyes with shining moments thrown in here and there?
Diego Corrales: Yeah, I mean, it sank in a little. I'll tell you when it really sank in and when I really realized how special this fight was when I talked to Marvin Hagler at the World Boxing Hall of Fame and Marvin Hagler, of course you know, is one of the best fighters to ever walk in a ring and ever lace up a pair of gloves. He sat back and told me in his own words....he said, "Man, that was a helluva fight. You are a helluva fighter. You fight like we used to fight and we don't see people fight like you anymore. People don't fight like you do anymore." He said, "You are a helluva fighter!" And I think that's when you have to sit back and go, "Damn. This is Marvin Hagler saying that?!"
Coyote Duran: Man, I don't know what I would do. I couldn't imagine that!
Diego Corrales: And then Sugar Ray Leonard told me, he's like, "Let me tell you something: What you have done, you are a legend. You're gonna be in the Hall of Fame. You're gonna be a legend. But I'm gonna tell ya one thing first: Welcome to the neighborhood." I'm like, "Wow!" These are things that're coming from these guys who helped carve boxing into what it is today! These are the mega-stars of boxing and these are the kind of words they're giving me. It's just unbelievable. So, yeah, I think I know what I've been a part of but now I know what is expected of me and I think that's probably the more scarier thing.
Coyote Duran: I can imagine. They say that it's not as difficult to get to the top as it is to stay at the top. Really, you have a good point there. I think a lot of fans are going to expect this same performance and truthfully, there's a lot of selfishness to it. Reasonably, one shouldn't be expected to perform in the same manner and put out that much. Worse than in general, there's dire danger involved so there has to be that concern there. Many of us in the press and fans alike who were absolutely elated for you were really very worried about the repercussions at the end and after the fight for both of you guys. I remember coming down from the high and going, "Jesus, I hope they're OK."
Diego Corrales: Yeah, y' know what? See, for me there really wasn't a high moment until my body healed. When my body heals, that's when I really find my high. I was so tired. I was just so brutally beaten.
Coyote Duran: Now, in the 135 pound division, you've made a helluva mark, naturally. You beat THE man at the top, Jose Luis Castillo. Do you feel that with this win, there's a lot more pressure for you to move up in weight? As you know, that notion always comes up when a fighter wins a title or fans feel that that individual has cleaned out a division. Is there a lot of pressure for you to move up or is it suggested just as equally to stay at 135? What do you see yourself doing?
Diego Corrales: There is a lot of pressure for me to move up right now. But there are some stones that I have not yet turned over. I think I need to do that before I move up. So I think I'd really like to stay here at lightweight for a little while and continue my "reign of terror" and dismantle the rest of the division! Then I'll feel that I've officially shown that I'm the master of this domain. That means, in order to do that, I have to take apart each and every champion. I have to absolutely deny anyone an inch in my division including any of the big names coming up. The way I can do that is by holding everything. If I hold the key to everything, you have to come to me to get the key in order to get in. That's what they all have gotta do.
Coyote Duran: Look, you don't have to tell me, man. You are THE World Lightweight Champion. If there ever was a giant The Ring Magazine ass-kisser, it's me. I admit it. To me, you are the man because of that. Are you saying that you want to unify the alphabet belts? Do you want to go after all these titleholders?
Diego Corrales: I do believe that there are some people here that I need to handle. If they own a "piece" of my crown, no matter what it is, I need to own it! I feel like it's mine. I wanna take control. At this point in time, I'm very being very selfish! I want everything! I want it all!
Coyote Duran: I think you've got a right to be after all that work!
Diego Corrales: You know? I want everything. I want everybody just to sit back and say, "Hey, I'm struggling at 130 but I'm not going up there messin' with Corrales!" So I'm gonna go ahead and stay right here and the only way I can do that is to sit back and unify all those titles and then really strike fear into people. I'm not opposed to moving up either because I am a big lightweight so there are some pressures with being in the division I'm in. Actually, I think it's all about how you handle your pressures and me.........I try to keep it simple and separate my career from my (personal) life. That way, I can keep things in perspective. When I come back to work, my minds in it and I'm ready to roll and then make my decisions from there.
Coyote Duran: Speaking of your family, how do they feel about "Diego Corrales: Gigantic Star of Boxing"? How has it affected them?
Diego Corrales: You know what's funny is, there isn't a "Diego Corrales: Giant Star" in my family. I am Diego Corrales: A husband. A father. And Diego Corrales: The brother, the brother-in-law, the son-in-law, the son. That's who I am. My life is completely separated from my career and I keep them separate, you know?
Coyote Duran: Something you just mentioned a little bit when we were discussing moving up in weight and going after sanctioning belts, rang familiar with particular guys at junior lightweight. You commented that some guys may struggle at 130 but they don't wanna come up and tangle with you. One name that comes to mind with me is Erik Morales.
Diego Corrales: Right.
Coyote Duran: He's a brave cat. Doesn't turn down challenges. Do you think that he has his sights on you? Is a potential barnburner like this something you'd look forward to?
Diego Corrales: Absolutely! Because I'll tell you what, he made a comment to one of the networks or one of the press that there was no way........he guaranteed 100%, he guaranteed that there was no way I would beat Castillo. But if I somehow found I way to beat Castillo, he would wanna come up and avenge his friend's loss. Well, guess what? I somehow found a way to beat Castillo. So now, my thing is, stand by your word. Be the man that you say because my thing is, if I say I'm gonna walk across fire, you better believe I'm gonna do it. Hell or highwater, I'm gonna walk across fire. I'm gonna keep my word.
Coyote Duran: That sounds like a challenge to me! I mean, here we are, we've got the World Lightweight Champion chasing everybody else. Most of the time, you hear about titleholders, guys who have a fraction of a world title,.......but here you are, guy at the top, wanting to chase everybody down. Don't you think that's kinda intimidating to the rest of the division?
Diego Corrales: (Laughs) I hope not! I hope they're like me and they go for the challenge. Y' know what? I'm unique. I believe that we are fighters. We are true gladiators. And being a gladiators,....they'd maybe enter a cage and they fought a lion, they fought a tiger, they fought a bear. They fought whatever you put in front of them. I feel that's what I am. I'm a gladiator and I'm ready to match mine againstanybody at anytime and hopefully, they're not afraid of my challenge but if they are, hey, they're showing their weaknesses right there. I need to go chase them down and completely eliminate them.
Coyote Duran: You and Castillo have set a benchmark on what has made this sport so great. Some fans have lifted this fight to a higher standard, in some senses, than the Ward-Gatti trilogy. In respect to that, you and Jose Luis Castillo have immense respect for each other. Have you talked to each other since your fight or has it all just been business?
Diego Corrales: No we haven't. It's just been busy. It's been so busy. I'm sure it's been busy for him as well. I think I would love to talk to him even though we have the language barrier and I'm sure he has some interpreters and they'd be there to help us out but you know what? I really respect the guy! He's an awesome dude! I'll tell you what, the dude? What he did with me, is something that no one has ever done with me ever. With him, no one has ever stepped to him either like I stepped to him, ever. So I think we have earned, we have taken each other's respect. That's what's important!
Coyote Duran: Chico, it's not like you've ever been short of confidence, but it seems like now, you have your near future really mapped out. Before, you weren't looking past Castillo and now you're talking about taking the lightweight division by storm. Did this just come to you after the Castillo fight or was more thought out a bit in the aftermath?
Diego Corrales: Well, it was well thought out. Not everything is so cut and dried but I've always had a plan. If there's one thing I've done, I've done everything according to my plan. I'm still trying to follow my plan out. I never do look past anybody so when everything is finally said and done, my focus will be only on whoever is set to fight me. If it's me and Castillo, guess what? I'm not looking past Castillo. Castillo is there in front of me and I will never give anybody else any of my attention. So I wouldn't even think of fighting another fight or fighting somebody else.
Coyote Duran: Now at the risk of sounding unprofessional, I take a huge amount of pride with predicting the exact outcome of that fight. I called that sucker because I remembered that out of 6 losses, 4 of them were by KO and 3 of those came in the 10th so I just went with it. But, man, was I scared! After the two knockdowns, I'm thinking, "Holy Shit! Did I predict this wrong??".......
Diego Corrales: (Laughs) And then I reversed it!
Coyote Duran: You came back and I damn near had a stroke. I've gotta tell ya, and I think I speak for the world in saying, thank you guys. Thank you both so much (Chico laughs) for you winning and Castillo's effort, even in losing. I mean, holy shit! I still get goose bumps thinking about it.
Diego Corrales: First of all, let me thank you. I love the appreciation and to have your appreciation like this. It's unbelievable. Thank you!
Coyote Duran: You're very welcome.
Diego Corrales: It was a fun, fun thing that happened. It was nice. It may have hurt a little bit. It hurt! It was good to get in there and finally prove our places. And the funny thing is, forever mine and Castillo's names are gonna be tied together for what we have done. We're gonna go down in history together. It's like the funnest thing in the world! Dude, me and him are together forever.
Coyote Duran: Here's an unrelated-to-boxing question that my friends and I have been curious about and weren't certain if you've divulged on before. The tattoo on your stomach, "M.O.P.". What does that stand for?
Diego Corrales: (Pauses) "Made Out of Poverty."
Coyote Duran: Dude, that is heavy. Now look at you.
Diego Corrales: I made it out. (Laughs)
Coyote Duran: Last time we spoke, I asked you how, in one word, you summed up your career up to that point going into the Castillo fight and you said "Dream." You were living the dream. Do you feel that the word still fits or is there a greater description for what you've done?
Diego Corrales: No, not at all. There can be no greater description. I'm living my dream. I mean, on average, the majority of adult men at some point of time in their lives dream of being a star athlete. Being a professional athlete of some type. And here I am. I'm a professional athlete. But guess what? I'm not just a normal professional athlete. I'm at the top as a successful fighter. That is what makes it the dream. I'm living that dream. I'm living the dream for a lot of men that sit there and say, "God, I could've been that one day. I could've been that. I remember boxing when I was a kid and I quit and I remember playing football and I got caught up with a girl." or "I remember playing basketball and I hurt my ankle and I couldn't do it anymore." I'm living that dream for a lot of adults that sit back and watch sports and watch boxing. They think , "Wow, I wish I could've done that." or "I wonder if I could've done that if I would've kept going and didn't get tired." or something else. That's why I say it's my dream. I'm living my dream. If I could've still summed it up in one word, it's still my dream.
Coyote Duran: How did it feel to be nominated for the "Fighter of the Year" award for ESPN's award, the ESPY?
Diego Corrales: Awesome! It's awesome! We've gotta get that ESPY award! I want my ESPY! That's always been a dream. I wanna grab everything! And before I leave, I wanna have it all.
Coyote Duran: Don't be surprised. You and Jose Luis Castillo are a lock for "Fight of the Year" in The Ring Magazine. If you guys didn't get that one, I have to quit on 'em (Laughs) and I've supported that mag through thck and thin. Don't be surprised if you walk away with "Fighter of the Year" either.
Diego Corrales: I hope so, but thank you, though. It's been fun. It's really been a lot of fun. It's been tiring. Very, very tiring and very, very busy but all in all, I still kept my household in order and as long as it (success and demands) doesn't interfere with my household, I guess I can accept everything else.
Coyote Duran: Thank you very much, Chico, for everything. Let's talk again before the fight!
Diego Corrales: You've got my number. Don't lose it! (Laughs)
TalkingBoxing would love to thank Mr. Corrales for his time in this excellent interview. If you have any comments or questions, please e-mail me at coyoteduran@talkingboxing.com
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