It is difficult to believe that exactly one year has passed since the tragic death of Diego "Chico" Corrales. Ask any diehard boxing fan and I guarantee they can recall in vivid detail where they were at on the morning of May 7, 2007 when news broke of Corrales' fatal motorcycle accident. I remember I was just walking into work and upon sitting down at my desk, I began surfing the net (as I did every morning) and came across the news on Yahoo! Sports. Immediately, a lump welled up inside my throat and sadness overcame me to the point that my co-workers were legitimately concerned about me. It all seemed so silly to be this moved by a boxer I did not know on a personal level, but such was the lasting effect left on fight fans by the fighter affectionately known as "Chico".
Of course, I was not alone in my sentiments. It was quickly realized, after reading the thoughts and expressions by fans and media alike on various websites and message boards, that many echoed my thoughts and feelings. It was a testament to the fighting spirit Corrales possessed, that his passing resonated in such a manor with so many individuals. As more and more fighters fancy themselves to be businessmen first and boxers second, Corrales was a throwback to a bygone era when a fighter took pride in their legacy within the ring.
Corrales secured his legacy taking on the best the super featherweight and lightweight divisions had to offer. He lost some and won most, but in both defeat and victory, he displayed a warrior's mentality that was unparalleled. It was that trait that endeared him in the hearts of fight fans the world over. One minute he was a pure gladiator in the ring, but once the final bell rang, the arena would be lit up with his infectious megawatt smile.
Perhaps no fight fully encapsulates the essence that was Corrales quite like his epic battle with Jose Luis Castillo. Coincidently enough, their fight happened two years to the day prior to his tragic death. In what is commonly described as one of the greatest fights of all time, Corrales would rise from the canvas on multiple occasions to stop Castillo in his tracks in the tenth. It was the type of performance that had you hoarse from yelling and left both physically and emotionally drained. For Corrales, it was just another day at the office and the type of fight that he himself longed to be in. In fact, many in the media recall fondly the day that Corrales invited some of them up to his suite to re-watch the fight. Corrales was reported to have been just as excited to see it as any fan in the arena. It was typical Corrales.
To be completely honest, I'm not exactly sure where I wanted this piece to go. I just knew that I had to write something to commemorate this anniversary. On a personal level, Corrales was my favorite fighter to watch. His destruction of Angel Manfredy was the lightning bolt moment that took my casual fandom of the sport to a complete obsession. Corrales is what we all yearned for in our fighters, a man who fought, not solely for money, but for pride and honor. He was the living embodiment of a warrior and though gone, his memory will never be forgotten.
