Talent vs Tenacity; Freitas vs Diaz
 By Julian Kasdin (April 28, 2007) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © HBO)
This Saturday HBO finally breaks their streak of mismatches and brings us a fight that fans truly want to see. WBO lightweight champion Acelino ‘Popo’ Freitas, 38-1 (32), takes on WBA lightweight champion Juan ‘Baby Bull’ Diaz, 31-0 (15), in a fight that pits one of the hottest fighters from the early part of the decade against one of the fastest rising names today. This is the very definition of a crossroads fight with the winner establishing themselves as the man to beat at 135 and setting up a potential fight with WBC titleholder Joel Casamayor.
Diaz is certainly hot right now. He is a young undefeated titlist with a come forward in your face style that fans love to see. He isn’t just a brawler volume puncher Diaz has an increasingly educated jab and improved defense. This combined with his stamina, youth, and what seems to be a solid chin will probably make him a stalwart at 135 for years to come. However that is looking towards the future and as of right now it is our job to look at the past and more immediate future. Juan has impressed as of late, he has solid wins over Lakva Sim for the WBA title, Julien Lorcy, Billy Irwin, Jose Miguel Cotto, Randy Suico, and the decent Fernando Angulo. However he has never fought a fighter like Freitas.
Freitas has recently taken a hit due to his loss to Diego Corrales, which one must point out is the only loss in his near forty fight career, and what some perceive as his lack of heart due to the manner in which the fight ended. Freitas was a long time titleholder who defended it against Jorge Rodrigo Barrios, Daniel Attah, Juan Carlos Ramirez, and Javier Jauregui among other solid fighters. He also has wins over current WBC 135 pound titlist and one of the craftiest boxers in the game, Joel Casamayor, and Erik Morales conqueror Zahir Raheem. Not only does he have a lot of big fight experience, but Freitas has that great combination of speed and explosive power to go along with his awkward and very physical boxing style. There are some questions about his stamina, largely due to the Corrales fight, but it is my belief that his loss there had more to do with a bad style match up and less to do with Acelino’s abilities as a fighter.
Many out there see Juan Diaz as just having too much for Freitas. I, however, see it differently. I think that Freitas has too much for Diaz. Freitas has shown he can beat the same level of competition as Diaz, but in more decisive fashion. He is faster, harder hitting and more skilled than anyone that Juan has fought, and has the kind of footwork that can trouble the Baby Bull. I won’t rule out that Diaz can win, obviously he can, but Freitas is not as shot as people think. Unfortunately far too many people place an emphasis on a fighter having a 0 at the end of their record, and don’t really take into account that one loss does not mean a fighter is done. At 31 Popo is still young, and frankly he is the more talented of the two fighters. He does have heart, as is evidenced by his fight with Barrios, and he is an elite fighter. Come this Saturday Acelino Freitas should get himself back on the map by beating Diaz via late round TKO, thus setting up a possible rematch with Joel Casamayor.
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