Weighing In: Diego Corrales
 By Peter Chhim (July 28, 2004)
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Photo © Brendon Pierpaoli
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Diego Corrales has been a little up and down the last few years. He was up prior to fighting Floyd Mayweather in 2001. The then undefeated fighter was favored to defeat his brash foe in a battle of upcoming stars. However, he came crashing down, as he was stopped in a lopsided contest against the 'Pretty Boy', and to make matters worse, he was convicted of domestic violence and had to spend 14 months in prison. Having seen, and been through the spectrums of both success and failure, Corrales has discovered a profound new approach to both life, and work, 'be resilient'.
Speaking from Joe Goossen’s gym in Van Nuys, California, Corrales reflected on the catalyst for his reform.
“What drives me is resilience. You can go to the top of the mountain to the bottom, then back to the top. I have done that with resilience.”
Moreover, what does he have to say to those who don’t believe in his ability to sustain his reform?
“To all the naysayers out there, three years have gone by and nothing has gone wrong. I went through counseling and made a lot of changes in my life.”
Many of the changes he credits to his supportive wife, Michelle, and to his new trainer, Joe Goossen. Goossen, being the same trainer who less than a year earlier, was prepping Joel Casamayor to defeat Corrales, is the now the man behind the reigns of the Corrales express.
Less then 6 months after Goossen was behind Casamayor, he was behind Corrales, who subsequently avenged the earlier defeat.
Had Casamayor not split with Goossen, the situation and story may be entirely different, but speculation aside, here we are today. Corrales defeated Casamayor the second time around, with the help of his new trainer’s teachings, and is now moving forward to challenge the only other man to hold a win over the crafty Cuban southpaw, Acelino Frietas.
Strange circumstances lead to even stranger happenings, I suppose.
What is an added bonus in having Goossen is that he has been beneficial in ways that can’t readily be identified within the confines of a gym. He’s helped to provide some of the support and stability that Corrales needs to maintain his resilience.
When asked to explain the kind of impact Goossen has had on him and his family, Corrales has this to say:
“Joe Goossen has helped me more than I can explain. My wife, kids and I go over to his house every Monday for dinner. I have gotten to know him and his family.”
If you consider Joe a support beam that has helped hold the frame of Corrales' home, his wife most undoubtedly has been the foundation. Corrales openly credits his strength to her, and her unwavering faith in them.
“I do not think my wife, Michelle, realizes how much strength she has. She was put in a really tough position and she handled it great. When I lost my faith, she did not.”
So with the frame in good standing, and the foundation solid, Corrales believes there is little to worry of when he faces the formidable task of unseating the unbeaten Acelino Frietas. In fact, after taking into account what he’s already gone through in life, he knows his resilience will carry him through.
“I am more ready than I ever have been in my entire life," he said. "I have never been in better shape. I have left everything on the table. On fight night, it is show and tell time. If Freitas wants to go glove to glove, he cannot go forever. I am not letting this opportunity pass me by. He is a good guy, but when we hit the scales, it is on. Come hell or high water, I am coming home with the [WBO lightweight] belt. Nothing is going to stop me.”
It’s somewhat encouraging hearing that much focus from a man who has been through so many ups, and downs. But then again, it’s really nothing new. Actually, it’s a lot like making lemonade, when all you’ve got is lemons. Better yet, why not have Corrales explain it.
“When you are in a bad situation, you find out who really is there for you. Fourteen months later, the same people who walked me into jail walked me out. I will always be eternally grateful to my family for that.”
That’s resilience, baby.
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