| Freitas Determined to Daze Diaz |
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| Written by Richard Baker | |
| Saturday, 14 April 2007 | |
 The return to the ring of Acelino Freitas (38-1-0) against undefeated Juan Diaz (31-0-0) at Foxwoods Resort Casino on April 28th has all the makings of a classic slugfest. In a world of decent but boring fighters -Floyd Meyweather comes to mind - these two boxers actually fight. With 32 knockouts Freitas has no problem sending opponents to the mat.
Freitas started his knockout career putting away his first 29 opponents. At the age of 31, his experience exceeds that of 23 year old Diaz. Then undefeated Joel Casamayor felt his power when he tumbled in the third round of a title fight and lost a unanimous decision 114-112 on all judges cards.  Undefeated Daniel Attah barely lasted the twelve rounds of their title fight as he also lost a unanimous decision.
Boxing commentators expected great things from tough pro Jaun Carlos Ramirez, especially after he put Freitas down in round two. Freitas occasionally hits the canvas but never stays there. He rose to floor Ramirez at the end of the round then dropped him again the following round and pummeled him into submission. The WBO/WBA Super Featherweight title was on the line when Freitas faced Jorge Rodrigo Barrios. Off balance, he went down in round eight. A left right combination dropped him again in the eleventh. The fall appeared to enrage him and he returned the favor with a right hand dropping Barrios. Barrios crumpled again in the twelfth then tripped. Wobbling as he stood it appeared he could not continue and the referee stopped the bout.  The only one who has ever given him any trouble was Diego Corrales. Corrales fed him his first defeat and dropped him three times causing him to tell the referee he could not continue. Even with the knockdowns the fight was close. Judge Tom Kaczmurek had Freitas ahead while the other judges had him behind by just one and two points.
His last fight, almost a year ago, was for the vacant WBO title, a split decision to Zahir Raheam. Undefeated Juan Diaz is no slouch although he has not fought the caliber of opponents as has Freitas. A WBA title fight against Fernando Angulo ended in a controversial decision. Randy Suico proved little more than a punching bag as Diaz fed him a ten course meal of leather. Suico refused to fire back and referee Joe Cortez finally stopped the bout in the ninth round. His toughest opponent was probably Jose Migual Cotto, a big step up from the gym rats, like Arthur Cruz and over-rated Martin O'Malley, he had been fighting. The Vegas title fight resulted in a unanimous decision. |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 April 2007 ) |
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