Exclusive Interview: Diego Corrales

- It's looking like you're going to be fighting Jose Luis Castillo in an immediate rematch of your May 7 classic. How do you feel about that?
Diego Corrales: I'm excited, I think it's going to be another great fight. I think this is the fight that the fans want to see and the fans know what they're going to get with this one. I get to put everything to rest now."

GL: What does that mean?
"Well G, you know they've done a lot of talking about the mouthpiece but it's like I've said, no mouthpiece hit Jose Luis Castillo, I did. This fight right here will give me a chance to finish a job I already started."

GL: This is going to be your fifth fight in a row against an A level opponent. You obviously feel the rematch is bigger right now as opposed to a few fights down the line, why?
DC: "After that first fight this is a bigger fight right now. Some people might think it's not the best idea to do it back to back but I want to get this out of the way before I move forward. It's a big fight for me because I want to move forward and get on with it."

GL: How do you improve on the first fight? Aren't boxing fans in for a let down?
DC: "Not at all. Our styles are made for explosion. It's like throwing gasoline on an open flame. We're two warriors and we're going create another explosion on October 8. You know, you're right a lot of people are going to say, how can't it be better than the first one? Well, I see where they're coming from, but I'll tell you this, don't bet on it. Please don't bet on it."

GL: This is going to be your first main even on PPV. How do you feel about that?
DC: "I'm very excited because it gives me the opportunity to take my career to the next level. It's at the Thomas and Mack and they're putting it on PPV because they have a lot of faith in this fight. People heard about the fight, they saw the replay and the way everything has just crossed over is going to make this fight even better, trust me!"

GL: The last time I was at your crib you told me the first round of a Castillo rematch would be round 11. Has your position changed any?
DC: "Not at all. I'll tell you what. I love to battle and I love the wars, that's what I'm made for. Not a lot of people have the mentality to be in those kind of fights, fortunately I'm a thoroughbred and I can take that kind of punishment. It's going to be round 11 G, and you know I got that NyQuill."

GL: Are you entering the rematch on the condition that there's going to be a third fight should things not go your way?
DC: "I believe so, but that's not going to be necessary. I'm thinking about one thing right now, another victory over Jose Luis Castillo in a great, great, fight. I have turned my mole hill into a mountain and I'm not going to let anyone bring it down. I'm too hungry, nobody is going to be able to take what I got."

GL: You went into the first fight following a nine month inactive stretch. Do you expect to be sharper since there's less time in between fights for you?
DC: "I'm going to be a lot better and a lot sharper. It's hard to improve on that kind of fight, but there's not going to be any rust factor and I'm going to be even better."

GL: What did you think about the beating Floyd gave Arturo Gatti?
DC: "You know I love Arturo Gatti but Floyd's speed made him look horrible. It was a great performance for Floyd and you know I have some unfinished business with Mayweather, but first I'm going to put a stamp on Jose Luis Castillo, so until I'm done with Castillo I don't really want to hear about Mayweather."

GL: What do you think about Erik Morales moving up to lightweight to fight Leavander Johnson?
DC: "It's funny because you know I've been wanting to fight this guy and look what he's done. Julio Diaz gave that belt up to fight Castillo. Castillo beat him and I beat Castillo, so why would he look anywhere else? He's known as a great warrior, but great warriors look for the toughest challenges and that's not what Erik Morales is doing with that fight. Funny thing is, Leavander's my boy and I don't think that's going to be a walk in the park for Erik. But if he beats Leavander and I'm fortunate enough to get by Castillo again, I hope Erik doesn't run away again."

GL: Do you plan on stopping Castillo earlier this time?
DC: "I hope so, but I'm not going to say anything negative about Castillo. That's a tough ass dude and after the first fight I could never say that. He'll find a way to stay in there until he can't stand up, and even then he won't go down. My prediction for this fight is another great, great fight."