Diego Corrales – Final 10 Bells for a Warrior
 Photo and Article by Rob Scott (May 16, 2007) Doghouse Boxing
Ever sense we received the news of the untimely and tragic death of Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales, each time that I sat at my desk and attempted to type, I would sit there with my hands on the keys, but lacked the ability to press them. Now it’s not abnormal for a writer to periodically get what’s known as a writer’s block; basically it’s when a writer may have a thought on their mind, but he or she finds it to be a chore to put them to paper. It may also be times when a writer just can’t seem to muster up a thought at all; when that happens, all we can do is just sit and stare at our screens.
Boxing writers seem to come from a different cloth though, as some have been accused of being thought-less, but we never seem to be speechless. Talking and writing whatever comes out of the air, no matter how educated or uneducated, often has been some boxing writer’s everyday way of being. I often like to go against the grain, but in this case, it was definitely easy, because speechless is what I’ve been, but the thoughts have come in abundance.
With this multitude of thoughts going on in my head, they have tended to trample one another, leaving me to continuously ask, just where do I start? How can I put into words what ‘Chico’ has meant to the sport of boxing as a whole and me? Basically, just what can I say that hasn't already been said?
The dictionary describes a warrior as a man engaged or experienced in warfare, but it could have just as simply said, “Diego Corrales” because warring was his specialty, and he did it just for our pleasure.
By never running from a challenge, even when that challenge may have been one in which in the end he probably should have avoided, Diego gave us fights to always remember. His were battles that can easily be placed up there with some noted wars from the past. His battles with Jose Luis Castillo had the controversy of Dempsey vs. Tunney, while having the dramatic finishes of Zale vs. Graziano, along with the ferociousness of Hagler vs. Hearns. While we who look at the old fights say that those were classics, it would behoove us to do the same with the Corrales vs. Castillo bouts, which both were as classic as classic comes.
I always thought about the adage ‘styles make fights’ when I talked to Diego before his fights. I say this because, while most fighters overly embrace that definite truth, Chico was one that fought anyone, no matter what style they may have brought to the table. The point when it comes to describing Diego is he was a throwback. He was a throwback to the time when fighters fought just to prove and showcase their worth. He wanted to prove he was one of the very best by facing the very best. If you thought you were the best, then it was you who needed to take notice, because you were on his radar.
Talking with some that were close with Diego, he was described as funny, competitive, and even stubborn at times. Me? My experiences with him conjure up all of those adjectives along with the one of (respectful). In a sport where you can easily see a fighter that has done nothing in the game walk around an arena as if he was the second coming of ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson, Corrales always stayed humble. He was approachable and always treated me with the same respect that was given to him. He always was a pleasure to talk to, even when he was going through a period in which he actually had a sour taste in his mouth concerning the media. When we spoke, it was like a definite conversation between friends, as he grew to realize that all in the media weren’t the same.
In the end, it was just a goal of his to put on a great show - win or lose. For the most part, leaving the audience excited was a goal that he always seemed to reach. The problem is, there is such a thing as momentary excitement, and then there is one of eternal excitement. Momentary excitement reigns for that night, while eternal excitement stays with you forever.
Yes Diego was a warrior; yes Diego was a soldier; I just hope that his battles stand appreciated, and not made into the battles like those that in the end are just seen as soldiers laboring in futile wars. He shouldn’t be remembered as momentary, but looked at as an eternal part of boxing history.
Every man has his issues, and Diego was no different. He was a champion in the ring, and never claimed to be an angel, just as no man can truly stake claim to that title. When he is laid to rest this week, I hope he can truly find peace. I hope his family, fans and friends can find contentment with the time, love and excitement that he gave us all when he was here.
For a week I have had writer’s block, and I now know why I’m just coming around to writing something concerning Diego’s passing; my silence has been as if I was listening to the ten bells – the final ten bells for a warrior. Now? All that there is left to be said is, rest in peace my friend.
|
|
|
|
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2007
|
|
|
