Recap from NVBHOF’s Amateur Boxing Show
The first-ever Diego “Chico” Corrales Classic took place on Friday, August 9 at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. This inaugural event was held during the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 & 2024 induction weekend honoring some of boxing’s best.
The amateur boxing show (also billed as the Green Belt Classic Boxing Show) was hosted by Glass Jaw Boxing Gym, The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF), the World Boxing Council (WBC) and Title Boxing (Doug Ward).
It was a good day watching these talented amateurs compete in the ring. The afternoon honored the late and beloved champion Diego “Chico” Corrales; his wife Michelle Corrales-Lewis is the current NVBHOF CEO/President. She and her crew were there in support along with NVBHOF Founder Rich Marotta, NVBHOF Vice President Anthony Randolph, NVBHOF Director of Amateur Programs Nate Gould and the WBC’s Nancy Rodriguez.
And August 9 was a very busy day for Team NVBHOF. There was this first-ever Chico Classic, a Meet & Greet Fan Experience and a “Legends of the Ring” Celebrity Bowling Experience all taking place on Friday, the night before the big induction ceremony in which the 2023 and 2024 inductees would take their place in boxing history.
There was a lot of excitement as young boxers arrived at the 7am weigh-in, hoping to compete in the first annual show paying tribute to Chico Corrales. He had 40 victories with 33 knockouts and fought the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Jose Luis Castillo, Joel Casamayor, Acelino “Popo” Freitas, Joshua Clottey, Angel Manfredy, etc. But, of course, he is known for his wars versus Castillo.
Corrales passed away in 2007 but his legacy continues and his memory has been kept alive. And that fighting spirit and warrior mentality is embedded in the next generation. His teenage son Diego Corrales Jr. has also been training in boxing and preparing for future amateur bouts. He didn’t fight in this year’s classic but look for Corrales Jr. to lace up soon.
And back inside The Orleans’ Convention Center, Friday’s Classic proved to be the place to be. The ballroom was packed from the early morning weigh-ins to the last bout of the afternoon. The USA Boxing combatants were both male and female, all ages, and both novice and open.
The matchups were very competitive with some super close bouts. It was a great time watching the youngsters and teens give it their all inside the ropes. And whether or not their hand was raised in victory, each fighter received respect from the audience. The first place and second place finishers received some cool swag too. First place winners scored a Title Boxing championship belt with Diego Corrales and NVBHOF emblems on them plus a framed commemorative WBC plaque. And the second place boxers received beautiful WBC medals honoring the late Don Jose Sulaiman. Don Jose’s son and current WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has been an advocate of amateur boxing and the WBC has held their various Green Belt Challenge events around the globe.
There were several notable faces in the crowd who were there to show support and cheer on the youth. Prizefighters Timothy Bradley, Shawn Porter, Zab Judah, Ishe Smith, Hasim Rahman, Lamon Brewster, Michael Nunn, Joel Casamayor, Bones Adams, Yoka Valle, Jeff Mayweather, Merqui Sosa, Elena Reid, Lazaro Lorenzana, Victor Terrazas, Ken Camel, Kat Howard (fighting as Katarina De La Cruz), actor Clint Howard, announcers Ralph Velez Jr. and Lisa King, Eva Futch, Steve Harpst, IGMOB’s JR Zinzun, Alan Santana, Tony Triem and more.
The day brought a steady stream of spectators as the bouts continued. Boxing clubs from Vegas and around the state all convened to participate in this historic Chico Classic. And there were plenty of fireworks in the ring (all under the watchful eyes of the Nevada USAB officials). The youngsters and teenagers showed courage and skill on the canvas. These amateur shows are a chance to hone their skills under the bright lights, practicing footwork, defense and punch output. Many boxers have dreams of making it to the Olympics and/or also going pro. But for now, each 1.5- 2 minute rounds gives them an opportunity to learn the sweet science while also learning discipline and sportsmanship too.
Many of the pro fighters and champs (current and former) told me how much they enjoyed watching the amateur fights. A lot of them remembering and reminiscing what it was like back in the day when they fought with headgear as a hungry young amateur. It’s this strong foundation of rounds in the bank that can help build a future world champion.
And some of the champs currently work with the youth, training them and mentoring them. NVBHOF inductee “Showtime” Shawn Porter was seen in the corner with his amateur, Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor was spotted in the hallway going over drills with a fighter, and I also saw veteran slugger Merqui Sosa in the corner with one of his charges.
While chatting with the kids after their bouts, they told me that they really enjoyed meeting some of their heroes and getting with fist bumps and photo ops with world titlists. They look up to these pro boxers, Olympians and boxing stars who have made it to the top. And the champions also loved meeting the children and teens, giving them words of encouragement and presenting the awards to the bout winners too.
At the end of the day, the prestigious Fight of the Night/Outstanding Boxer Award was chosen. NVBHOF President Michelle Corrales-Lewis and new NVBHOF inductees and Nevada champs Shawn Porter and Ishe Smith stood center ring as the winner Eric Johson III was announced. The boy received a WBC hat and a special WBC green and gold mini belt as the room erupted with cheers.
Congratulations to everyone from those who organized the show to the amateurs and their families to the pros who took time to support the youngsters and all of the volunteers that made it a KO day. And a big shout out to the fans that showed up applauding for both the red corner and the blue corner.
All in all, the Diego “Chico” Corrales Classic was a huge success!
Photos by Michele Chong