Heroic Corrales a legendary warrior

Diego Corrales, who has died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 29, was a throwback fighter who scorned the notion that boxing greatness is measured by unbeaten records and alphabet belts.

Corrales' death came on the second anniversary of his career-defining victory over Jose Luis Castillo, when he twice clambered off the canvas in round 10 to score a sensational knockout in the same round.

Ricky Hatton, who was often linked with a projected fight against Corrales, told PA Sport:"There are other fighters with unbeaten records, more world titles and more talent. But not many of them are going to be remembered as fondly as Diego Corrales will be."

He added: "You think of Hagler-Hearns and Ali-Frazier, but that was one of the most sensational fights of any era."

Many astute boxing judges have described that 10th round as the equal to any other in the history of their sport, and it is one which will hasten Corrales' posthumous entry into the Hall of Fame.

Corrales' long-time promoter Gary Shaw added: "He always cared about the fans and gave them their money's worth. He was a true warrior. He was what boxing stood for, and what boxing is all about."

Corrales' closest confidants had expressed their fears for the boxer after his top-level career was effectively ended when he dropped a unanimous decision to Joshua Clottey last month.

Corrales' life outside the ring mirrored his kamikaze attitude in it. "He fought recklessly and he lived recklessly," said Shaw. Last year Corrales spoke about his love of riding his motorcycle at high speeds.

Corrales told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "I'm only young once, and unless someone hasn't told me something yet, I only get to live once. If I couldn't do this stuff now, I would never get a chance to do it."

Corrales was thrown from the bike he was riding, reportedly at high speed, through a suburb of Las Vegas late on Monday night. At least one other vehicle is believed to have been involved in the accident.