Boxer Diego Corrales Dies In Motorcycle Crash
Posted May 8, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Diego Corrales, who will forever be remembered by boxing fans for his remarkable knockout of Jose Luis Castillo in what many considered one of the greatest fights of all time, died on Monday night after a high-speed motorcycle crash. He was just 29.
The lanky pugilist was apparently speeding through the streets of residential Las Vegas , not far from his home, when he collided with the back of a car. He was thrown from the motorcycle, which was then hit by another car.
The man affectionately known as “ Chico ” was pronounced dead at the scene.
His promoter, Gary Shaw, said Corrales recently purchased the high-speed motorcycle – a toy that suited his lifestyle.
“He fought recklessly and he lived recklessly,” Shaw said. “That was his style.”
Las Vegas police say it appeared Corrales did not have a valid Nevada driver’s or motorcycle license, adding his inexperience likely played a role in the fatal crash.
“We’re trying to calculate the speed,” Sgt. Tracy McDonald said. “It appears he was well above the posted speed limit” of 35 m.p.h. (55 kilometres per hour).
Corrales’ career may have hit a downslide over the past two years, but he’ll forever be immortalized for his heroic effort in the first of two fights with Castillo, which took place on May 7 th, 2005.
The two staged a ferocious war, throwing a hellacious volume of punches at each other until it appeared Castillo had his opponent in big trouble in the 10 th round. Castillo sent Corrales down to the canvas twice in that memorable round, b ut Corrales proved to have the heart of a warrior and he rose from the canvas both times and ended up stopping Castillo with an explosive combination against the ropes.
Corrales was knocked out by Castillo in the rematch, but by then, his legend was firmly in place.
“He always cared about the fans and gave them their money’s worth,” Shaw said. “He was a true warrior. He was what boxing stood for, and what boxing is all about.”
Corrales was the father of five children and his wife, Michelle, is currently seven months pregnant.
Photo Courtesy Getty Images/Jonathan Ferrey
Jose Luis Castillo Statement
“I was very surprised and upset when I heard about Chico. It really is tragic when something like this happens. My heart goes out to his family who I know he cared a lot about. I always liked Chico. We had what I would call as a friendly rivalry when we got into the ring. We had two amazing fights and our names will be linked forever. For me it was a privilege of knowing Chico and being part of such great fights.”
