So this past weekend was Hall of Fame weekend for the boxing world . The class of 2024 was welcomed into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend in Canastota, New York, featuring notable figures from the boxing world.

Following votes by the Boxing Writers Association of America and an international panel of boxing historians, champions including Ricky Hatton, Michael Moorer, Ana Maria Torres, Jane Couch, Ivan Calderon, and the late Diego Corrales will be inducted into the Modern Boxers category.

Additionally, Wallace Matthews, Nick Charles, Kenny Adams, Fred Sternburg, Jackie Kallen, Luis Angel Firpo, and Teresa Kibby will be honored in various categories for their contributions to the sport.

Diego Corrales

It was May 2007 when we lost Chico in a terrible motorcycle accident here in Las Vegas. Chico” Corrales will best be remembered for the incredible 10th round of his epic first fight with Jose Luis Castillo in May 2005.

Corrales, a fighter from Sacramento, California with a record of 40 wins and 5 losses, was at his best when he was in trouble. Throughout his career, he showed resilience by winning match after match even when being knocked down. Known for his fearless approach and instinctual fighting style, Corrales consistently delivered thrilling bouts.

During a pivotal lightweight title unification fight against Castillo, Corrales found himself on the canvas twice in the 10th round. Despite facing an inevitable defeat at the hands of the two-time WBC champion Castillo, Corrales strategically bought time by spitting out his mouthguard to recover from the knockdowns. With what strength he had left, Corrales landed an overhand right that ultimately turned the match in his favor.

While we all remember the Corrales-Castillo saga, Diego was no one hit wonder.

He secured the IBF junior lightweight title in 1999 by defeating Roberto Garcia with a seventh-round TKO. he would go on to make three successful title defenses before a tough loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2001. Corrales got knocked down five times before being stopped in the 10th round.

Corrales left a lasting impact on the boxing world with his courageous and determined fighting spirit. On that note, his son Diego Corrales jr. Will be making his amateur debute this summer.

Be on the lookout for the full interview with Diego Jr this week.. I will be sitting down with him, and his mother to discuss what boxing means to their family, how important this moment was, to see Chico get inducted into the HOF. And All about his future boxing career, as he starts in the amateurs this summer!

By Vincent Quezada

Photo courtesy of the Corrales family