Acelino Freitas makes light middleweight debut

08.03.12

Brazilian legend Freitas to come out of retirement to take on countryman Oliveira

By Michael J Jones

IT WAS announced this week that the long-rumoured fight between retired Brazilian legend Acelino "Popo" Freitas, and undefeated Michael "The Brazilian Rocky" Oliveira, will take place June 2 at Conrad Punta Del Este and Resort Casino in Uruguay.
The ten-round Freitas-Oliveira bout will be fought at 154-pounds; a weight neither man has ever fought at.

The 36-year-old Freitas, 38-2 (32), is a state legislature in Brazil, where he is a national sports hero and revered in a country preparing to host the next World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. 'Popo' has been retired for nearly five years, since his last fight April 28, 2007, but will come out retirement to take on the popular Oliveira.

Standing only 5' 6", Freitas captured the WBO lightweight title, in addition to two-time WBO and World Boxing Association ("WBA") super featherweight championships. The heaviest he has ever fought at is 135 pounds, nearly 20 pounds lighter than the junior-middleweight maximum he is expected to weigh for his June 2 fight against a much younger, bigger Oliveira.

In his hard-punching peak, Freitas defeated Joel Casamayor, Daniel Attah, Juan Carlos Ramirez, Jorge Rodrigo Barrios and Artur Grigorian. Acelino's only two losses were to the late Diego Corrales and Juan Diaz in his last fight, both of whom stopped the heavy-handed Brazilian.

The 21-year-old Oliveira, 17-0 (12), rated No. 14 by the WBC, has fought three times in his native Brazil in an effort to establish himself as Freitas' successor in his country’s boxing circles. Born in Sao Paulo, he moved to Miami when he was only two weeks old and now finds himself training to fight Freitas, widely considered his country's second-greatest boxer ever (behind only Eder Jofre).

The 5' 9" Oliveira has gradually dropped weight, originally fighting as a super middleweight. His last two fights have been at the middleweight limit. Under the direction of head trainer Orlando Cueller and strength-and-conditioning coach Steve Arintok, Michael intends to compete at his natural weight of 154 (which he'll be doing for the first time against Freitas).

Oliveira is unique among professional boxers. He comes from an affluent family, attends Florida International University, and had only two amateur matches before turning pro in 2008. He should prove too young and strong for Acelino in what should be a huge event in Brazil.

zil in an effort to establish himself as Freitas' successor in his country’s boxing circles. Born in Sao Paulo, he moved to Miami when he was only two weeks old and now finds himself training to fight Freitas, widely considered his country's second-greatest boxer ever (behind only Eder Jofre).

The 5' 9" Oliveira has gradually dropped weight, originally fighting as a super middleweight. His last two fights have been at the middleweight limit. Under the direction of head trainer Orlando Cueller and strength-and-conditioning coach Steve Arintok, Michael intends to compete at his natural weight of 154 (which he'll be doing for the first time against Freitas).

Oliveira is unique among professional boxers. He comes from an affluent family, attends Florida International University, and had only two amateur matches before turning pro in 2008. He should prove too young and strong for Acelino in what should be a huge event in Brazil.

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