Diego “Chico” Corrales was a remarkable American professional boxer who left an indelible mark on the sport during his career from 1996 to 2007.
Known for his aggressive style and impressive knockout power, Corrales captured multiple world titles in 2 weight classes and was involved in some of the most memorable fights of his era.
Diego Corrales’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Diego Corrales |
| Nickname | Chico |
| Born | August 25, 1977 |
| Age | 29 (at time of death) |
| College | Culinary Arts Degree |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5′ 10½″ |
| Turned Pro | March 19, 1996 |
| Net Worth | $94 million |
| Spouse | Michelle |
| Relationship Status | Married |
Diego Corrales was born in Columbia, South Carolina, to a Colombian father and a Mexican mother.
He grew up in a challenging environment, which shaped his resilient character and ultimately led him to find solace and success in boxing.
Early Career
Corrales had an impressive amateur career, compiling a record of 105-12. He showcased his talent early on, taking second place at the United States Amateur Championships in 1994.
His success in the amateur ranks set the stage for a promising professional career. Corrales made his professional debut at age 18 on March 19, 1996, defeating Everett Barry via a third-round TKO.
Professional Career
Corrales quickly rose through the ranks, winning his first 32 professional fights, with 26 of those victories coming by way of knockout.
At the age of 22, after just 28 professional fights, he captured his first world title by defeating Robert Garcia for the IBF super-featherweight championship.
Corrales went on to win multiple world titles in two weight classes, including the WBO super featherweight title, WBO lightweight title, and the WBC and The Ring magazine lightweight titles.
His career was marked by several notable fights, including his acclaimed bout with José Luis Castillo in 2005, which earned Fight of the Year honors from The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Despite facing personal challenges and serving time in prison, Corrales always managed to return to the ring with determination and skill.
Wife
Diego Corrales was married to Michelle at the time of his passing. She was his third wife and was described as the most compatible partner for him.
Corrales had a total of five children from various relationships throughout his life. He was known to be a devoted father, even helping to deliver one of his children at home.
Diego Corrales’s Net Worth Details
Diego Corrales’s net worth is estimated to be $94 million as of 2025. This impressive figure is a testament to his successful boxing career, which spanned over a decade.
Fight Purses
| Fight | Purse |
|---|---|
| Vs. Jose Luis Castillo (2005) | $2 million |
| Vs. Joel Casamayor (2006) | $1.2 million |
| Vs. Joshua Clottey (2007) | – |
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floyd Mayweather Jr. | Loss | TKO | 10 | Jan 20, 2001 |
| Jose Luis Castillo | Win | TKO | 10 | May 7, 2005 |
| Joel Casamayor | Win | SD | 12 | Mar 6, 2004 |
| Acelino Freitas | Win | TKO | 10 | Aug 7, 2004 |
FAQs
1. What were Diego Corrales’ most significant boxing achievements?
Diego Corrales won five world titles across two weight divisions, including the IBF and WBO super featherweight titles, and the WBO, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024.
2. What was Diego Corrales’ most famous fight?
Diego Corrales’ most famous fight was his first bout against José Luis Castillo on May 7, 2005. This fight is considered one of the greatest in boxing history and earned Fight of the Year honors from The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
3. What was Diego Corrales’ professional boxing record?
Diego Corrales had a professional boxing record of 40 wins and 5 losses, with 33 of his victories coming by knockout.
4. When did Diego Corrales start and end his professional boxing career?
Diego Corrales began his professional boxing career on March 19, 1996, and his last fight was on April 7, 2007, spanning a career of 11 years and 19 days.
5. What was Diego Corrales’ nickname?
Diego Corrales was known by the nickname “Chico” throughout his boxing career.
6. What personal struggles did Diego Corrales face during his career?
Diego Corrales faced several personal struggles, including involvement with street gangs in his youth, serving 14 months in prison for domestic violence, and battling with alcohol abuse.
7. What was Diego Corrales’ net worth at the time of his passing?
At the time of his passing, Diego Corrales’ net worth was estimated to be $94 million.
8. How did Diego Corrales die?
Diego Corrales died on May 7, 2007, in a motorcycle accident near his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. His blood alcohol content was 0.25%, approximately three times the legal limit for Nevada.
9. What was Diego Corrales’ educational background?
Diego Corrales held a degree in culinary arts.
10. How many children did Diego Corrales have?
Diego Corrales had a total of five children from various relationships throughout his life.
