Popó pounded: Juan Diaz dominates Acelino Freitas
Using a blistering left jab and body attack, an unrelenting Juan Diaz dominated Acelino “Popó” Freitas, with the Brazilian unable to answer the bell for the ninth round.
It was a complete performance by the 23-year-old Diaz, who has upped his game dramatically in the three years since winning the WBA lightweight title. In taking Freitas’ WBO title, Diaz now stands at 32-0 with 16 KOs, and has shown he’s ready for top-level competition from here on out.
Diaz used a wonderful left jab to compliment his body shots and thudding hooks, hurting Freitas severely in round five. From there on out, the writing was on the wall, as Diaz applied constant pressure to the wilting Brazilian. Throughout the fight, Diaz’s combinations and jab were remarkably fast, and his combinations hurt Freitas severely in round eight, leaving the former title holder (38-2 32 KOs) holding on and looking defeated. Freitas stayed on his stool after round 8, and the celebration of one of boxing’s top young champions began.
For Freitas, staying on the stool was no where near as egregious as his walking away from Diego Corrales. The Brazilian, who has appeared to lose a bit in the last few years, was game throughout and rocked Diaz on a couple of occasions. In the end, however, he had been whipped. He may not have went out on his shield, but he gave all he had.
One note on Freitas: While it’s often reported that he’s “wildly popular” in Brazil, that’s really not the case. He’s known and appreciated, to be sure, and a big star in his home state of Bahia. Overall, however, he maybe shares the same level of fame as some of the nation’s top volleyball players. The only “wildly popular” athletes in this South American country are footballers.
With all said and done on this battle of champions, let there be no doubt, the main story, however, is Diaz. He has taken his game to a much higher level since he was a highly touted teen, and is now a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions. It was a truly impressive performance by the “Baby Bull,” who is all grown up now.
–WKW
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:57 pm
[…] Big things and fights are yet to come for Hatton, who moves to 43-0 (31 KOs). Every top fighter from 130 through 147 will have Hatton in their sites. Perhaps we can get Juan Diaz to put on five pounds and take on the “Hit Man” from Manchester. Hatton-Diaz would be truly an exceptional matchup. […]