Freitas rolls back the years to inflict Oliveira’s first loss

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

‘Popo’ scores win in first bout since 2007

Two-weight world champion Acelino Freitas has a decision to make after impressively ending fellow-Brazilian Michael Oliveira’s undefeated record - dropping him three times on his way to a ninth round knockout win.

The 36 year-old, who won world belts at 130 and 135lbs, had only previously lost to world-class fighters Juan Diaz and the late Diego Corrales and was a surprising choice for the young pretender Oliveira, 22, when the fight was sought out by his team.

Freitas had said he will return for just one fight after a five-year absence for his son, but after dominating a previously unbeaten prospect, may now decide to continue on with his career if a big offer comes in.

Florida-based Oliveira was dropped in the third and the ninth before he was downed again by Freitas towards the end of the session, this time for the ten count and gained his 33rd stoppage as ‘The Brazilian Rocky’ dropped to 17-1.

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Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (picure by boxrec.com) After almost a year and a half without one of boxing’s great journeymen, World Boxing News is looking back at the 161-fight career of Worcestershire warrior Ernie Smith, concentrating on his contribution in the ring, rather than the tragic way his life ended out of it. Smith turned professional at super-featherweight in 1998 at the Park Hall Hotel in Wolverhampton, losing a six rounder against Welshman Woody Greenaway. One month later, Ernie was thrown in with an unknown prospect by the name of Gavin Rees (former world champion and current British Lightweight Champion) who he also took the distance over four rounds. The “Gypsy Boy” then managed to string together a four fight unbeaten run together in early 1999 and ended the year winning five out of his twelve contests, but by this time had already delved into the journeyman pool of boxers with a record of 5-8-1. After settling at the welterweight limit, Ernie ga...

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WBO #4 Orlando Cruz comes out as the first openly gay boxer in history

Orlando Cruz, a professional boxer from San Juan Puerto Rico (18-2-1, 9 KOs), former Olympian and currently ranked No. 4 Featherweight by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), is announcing today that he ”Is a proud gay man.” Cruz is the first openly gay man in boxing history. “I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself,” said Cruz. “I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.” Orlando Cruz began boxing at the age of 7 and posted an amateur career record of 178-11. He won 7 Puerto Rico National Title's and spent 4 years on The Puerto Rican National Team. Cruz won 7 Gold Medals, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze in various international tournaments. His amateur career culminated as a representative of the 2000 ...

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