RIO DE JANEIRO — Acelino Freitas is retired from skilled boxing, however the brand new age of the game and its exhibitions opens doorways for him to chase his dream matches.
A former WBO and WBA tremendous featherweight champion and two-time WBO light-weight champion with ferocious knockout energy in his fingers, scoring 34 knockouts in a 41-2 run as a professional, “Popó” enters the ring Saturday to face a a lot bigger Wanderlei Silva in the principle occasion of Spaten Combat Evening 2 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The match, an eight-round exhibition with judges scoring ring aspect, was made official after Vitor Belfort withdrew from a conflict with “The Axe Assassin” citing concussions suffered in camp.
“We’ve no concern, we’re going there to tear his head off,” Freitas mentioned with a smile on his face throughout a latest media day in Brazil. “[Spaten] gained’t remorse calling me to interchange Vitor Belfort.”
Freitas has been energetic in boxing exhibitions in Brazil towards celebrities, folding Silva’s former Chute Boxe teammate Jose Landi-Jons in a single spherical in one among his appearances.
“I’ve the fingers to get it executed,” Freitas mentioned of the dimensions drawback. “If I had been a fighter with no knockout energy, with a report of 20 wins and 19 choices, I in all probability wouldn’t have taken this battle as a result of Wanderlei is 40, 50 kilos heavier. However most of my knockouts had been at 130 kilos. I went 29-0 with 29 knockouts at 130 kilos. It’s not the physique weight that makes you a knockout puncher.”
“Wanderlei Silva, his [Brazilian] nickname says who he’s, ‘Cachorro Louco’ [Mad Dog]. After this he may develop into Useless Canine, which is my plan,” Freitas mentioned. “Each time somebody challenged a boxer within the ring, Logan Paul couldn’t do it towards [Floyd] Mayweather. [Conor] McGregor challenged Mayweather within the ring and couldn’t do it. I’ve by no means felt any stress [in boxing], and I gained’t begin now.”
Freitas is the face of Combat Music Present, a Brazil-based boxing promotion that has targeted on superstar matches over the previous few years. Spaten has a distinct strategy to the sport, reserving Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen for its first card in 2024 and now Belfort vs. Silva. “Popó” retains the door open for possibly dealing with Belfort sooner or later ought to he beat Silva.
“Final time [Belfort] wished to battle me with some gloves he invented,” Freitas mentioned. “After which he wished me to battle 60 kilos heavier. I used to be like, ‘You don’t need to battle then.’ Similar factor he did with Wanderlei now. Spaten Combat Evening, each time you name Vitor Belfort to battle, ensure you have a backup plan as a result of he may hen out once more.”
From influencers and actors to now a MMA legend, “Popó” mentioned he’s additionally open to dealing with fellow boxing stars from the previous.
“I used to be approached for a battle with [Manny] Pacquiao within the undercard of Jake Paul however talks didn’t advance,” Freitas mentioned. “After which I used to be supplied Marco Antonio Barrera. I used to be additionally supplied the child that knocked out Pacquiao [Juan Manuel Marquez], however solely hypothesis. Mayweather, after I fought Joel Casamayor [in 2002], he went to the press convention and did an enormous scene, referred to as me out, and to this present day I’m nonetheless ready for him.”
“I’ve the dream and want to battle these guys,” Freitas added. “I’m at all times prepared. If [the chance] comes like this time, make certain that I’ll go there and I’ll do a pleasant job.”
