R.I.P. Diego "Chico" Corrales

"Chico", whom won titles in two weight classes, died in a motorcycle accident on Monday night.

The lanky Corrales stood 5 feet 10 1/2 inches, but fought most of his career at 130 pounds. The 29-year-old was a big puncher best known for getting up after two 10th-round knockdowns to stop Jose Luis Castillo in one of the most thrilling fights ever. The fight took place May 7, 2005, exactly two years from the night he died. It was named by the Boxing Writers Association of America and numerous boxing publications as the fight of the year (if the Blogger system wasn't under construction, I would post the YouTube clip of the aforementioned 10th round -- it's an insane clip...the BEST fight of the past 15 years...a fight that will be discussed until the day we die).

His promotor, Gary Shaw, was quoted as saying, "He fought recklessly and he lived recklessly. That was his style."

You can say that again!

On the flip side...outside of the boxing ring, this guy was a scumbag. He once completed 14 months of time in the clink for beating his PREGNANT wife. While pregnant, Maria Corrales (all 98 pounds of her...seriously) suffered a broken collarbone, jaw, and ribs in the scuffle.

I'm not trying to make light of Corrales' death...just stating the facts. These facts are the reason why I never really appreciated his athletic prowess and warrior-like mentality.