Freitas vs Diaz: Will 'Popo' Have the 'Baby Bull' Seeing Red? written April 27th, 2007 by Aaron S. Bayley It didn't take long for Brazilian sensation Acelino 'Popo' Freitas to come out of retirement after winning a world lightweight title off Zahir Raheem. Freitas, whose only blemish--and loss--in an otherwise stellar career is a 2004 loss to Diego Corrales in which Freitas quit in the 10th round, is fighting Juan 'The Baby Bull' Diaz for his piece of the alphabet title at the Foxwood Casino Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Freitas' preference was to unify the titles with Cuban Olympian Joel Casamayor--who owns the Ring magazine and legitimate lightweight title, after decisioning Corrales--but HBO balked at the matchup, accepting a Freitas-Casamayor fight only if he beat Diaz. Freitas, 31, is a technician with great lateral movement and devestating knockout power, but his heart and chin were questioned after the Corrales fight, a fight he was winning easily until the later rounds. Diaz, 23, is anything but a big puncher at 31-0 (15), but he throws every punch with conviction, and throws a lot. Because of his high punch output--to say Diaz punches in bunches is a gross understatement--Diaz is sometimes a liability on defence, although he certainly has defensive skills. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when Freitas hits him clean. Freitas, 38-1 (32), will be pressured by Diaz, and his conditioning will be a key factor. Diaz' body looks soft, but he never seems to tire, and should he prove able to take Freitas' best punches and keep the pressure on, a hard fought points win is not entirely yout of the question. This is a huge step of for Diaz, and for him to beat Freitas he has to fight the perfect fight. Freitas is not Lakva Sim or Billy Irwin--two fighters that Diaz beat convincingly--and once Diaz tastes Freitas' pop he might all of a sudden turn gunshy. Not to mention that Freitas has boxing skills and could possibly outbox Diaz. Freitas' last fight against Raheem was a stinker, and Diaz is a more sutiable opponent for 'Popo' to look senstaional against. If Freitas can take the heat, Diaz' '0' is going to go. Prediction: Freitas KO 12