BoxRec

I get the feeling since after quitting against Juan Diaz, that Acelino Freitas is more than likely retired. Assuming this is the case, how great, good or bad do you think he was?

GREAT

29 consecutive KOs
11 WBO defenses
beat a prime Joel Casamayor by outboxing him.

GOOD

Beat the following fighters during his reign as WBO champ:

Javier Jauregui
Lemuel Nelson
Daniel Alicea
an undefeated Daniel Attah
Jorge Barrios
Artur Gregorian

all above average fighters when he fought them

BAD

Lost to Diego Corrales by brutal knockout
Lost to Juan Diaz by quitting in his corner

I think that he falls short of greatness. He'll be considered an above average fighter but not an all time great. I'm sure that in his native Brazil, he'll be revered and perhaps second only to Pele as an icon in that country. But in boxing terms; I think he disappoints.

oldwarrior

I really liked him he was exciting and had amazing power but also could box he looked beatable though I would of loved to seen a fight between Naseem Hamed and Frietas that would of been amazing

Actually becoming a better "boxer" under the guidance of the late Oscar Suarez ended up being his demise. Its like he got domesticated and lost that fire that got him 29 straight kos. He was beating Corrales until he ran out of gas and quit, then he quit against Diaz and he looked nothing like the warrior who pulled out the Barrios win.

When Diaz was beating everyone i used to think it would take a guy like Freitas to beat him. Diaz took lots of shots during his relentless attacks and i used to picture Freitas stopping him with a hughe right hand. The Freitas of the first part of his career drew comparissions to Roberto Duran while in the later years he was a pussy.

I agree. In the beginning, Freitas was a monster deluxe. So strong and powerful but like most fighters who fight that way (e.g. Marco Antonio Barrera for example), they have to change their style to prolong their career. Barrera was able to adjust and go on to even greater accomplishments. I agree though that Freitas' demise was that he strayed away from what got him his glory. This is why I feel, that he falls short of true greatness. Barrera on the other hand, will be considered part of the Mexican legacy of idols for generations to come along with Marquez and Morales at that weight class.

Of course, JCC ( 130, 135 & 140#) and Salvador Sanchez deserve mention too!!!!!!!!!!!

Freita's career fighting that way would have been shorter, but he would have created a legacy as the proverbial "unbeatable brawler" who destroyed everyone in his way.

I also agree with the other post about what a terrific fight it could of been between him and Naseem Hamed. "Naz" was a bit of a chicken IMO and at 130# it would have been an all out war. But Naz (and his brother) always wanted things their way to stack the deck in their favor. They wouldn't consider fighting Freitas unless it was at 126# and that would be too much of a drain in weight to Freitas.

oldwarrior

oldwarrior

oldwarrior

For me he was a GREAT KO artist... I think his heart might fade on him with Corrales but imo it wasn't great but no doubt about been a respectable champion. I was a fan of him and i had the privilege to meet him at the Pan Am Games back in 07 in Brazil. He was one of the coaches of the Brazil team.

Wow lucky you to have met him!!! I always sensed that he was a very warm person. He has a smile that just transcends all boundaries, languages and cultures.

I've heard that he does quite a bit of endorsements these days. Also, that he is very passionate about futbol.

oldwarrior

definently a guy who has unfairly been judged by the 3 lowest points in his career than the best points.

As bad as the Corrales (mouthpiece spitting), Diaz (quitting), and Raheem (winning a wrestling match) were. People forget about his brave performance against Barrios, who turned out to be alot better of a fighter, than people thaught he was when he took on Freitas. The fact that he had a cup of coffee he had in the p4p top 10 following the Casamayor and Attah wins. He is also one of those guys with a forgotten part of his career, as many people forget anything he did pre-Casamayor.

He was a badass KO artist at 130, but it didnt carry as well to 135.

oldwarrior wrote: BAD

Lost to Diego Corrales by quitting after getting knocked down
Lost to Juan Diaz by quitting in his corner

I think that he falls short of greatness. He'll be considered an above average quitter but not an all time great. I'm sure that in his native Brazil, he'll be revered and perhaps second only to Pele as an icon in that country. But in boxing terms; I think he disappoints.

oldwarrior

fixed

Freitas was a good boxer puncher with absolutely no heart. He had the skills imo, but not the fortitude to fight at an elite level. I will mostly remember him for quitting rather than for his boxing skills.

Potential unrealized due to lack of warrior spirit. Not that I blame any boxer for saying enough is enough, it just doesn't enhance one's legacy in this or most any sport. A guy like Ward who has that "never say die" attitude gets a better rep, even if he has nowhere near the potential.