Corrales biding his time

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997 | 9:30 a.m.

Without exception, everyone who has seen Diego Corrales fight believes he is a future world champion.

He's strong and aggressive, his mechanics are excellent and he's certainly associated with the right people. At 20 years old, he's fairly close to having the complete package.

Yet within the fighter's camp there's a minor disagreement as to whether Corrales is ready -- or not -- to take that next, big, step, the one that lifts him into the major leagues.

In something of an odd twist, it's the fighter who's exercising more patience than his trainer.

"I'm going to take my time and enjoy it," Corrales said Wednesday. "I need more rounds, for sure. I need more competition. The biggest thing is I need to get used to going 12 rounds and I want to do it a couple more times."

In truth, he hasn't gone 12 yet. In 17 professional fights he has 15 knockouts and the other two fights were four-round decision victories. Add 'em up and it's 17-0 with 15 KOs -- including 13 in a row.

"He's ready (for a world championship) right now," said his trainer, Kenny Adams, as Corrales worked out in the Top Rank Gym. "He has good reach, good power and he understands the sport real well. He also has a lot of experience with older fighters here in the gym.

"Skill-wise, he's already better than some of the better-known guys in the division."

There's still no rush and Corrales will bide his time until it's agreed he's completely ready. Toward that goal he's headlining a Saturday card at Buffalo Bill's in Primm, where he'll take on Juan Angel Macias -- a journeyman with a 23-7-1 record although he has lost six of his last nine bouts. They're scheduled for 12 rounds at 130 pounds in the main event of a card to be televised by Telemundo.

"Macias has a crushing right hand so I'm not taking anything away from him," Corrales said. "He still poses a threat because he can punch. I'll try to box him smart."

This is Corrales' seventh fight this year and 18th in 20 months. He's on something of a fast track and has proven to be a popular draw as Top Rank showcases him around the West.

"My dad taught me to be very patient so I'm trying to learn everything I can," he said. "I'm a student of boxing and feel I'm learning like a sponge. I'm into mastering the sport; I'm a diehard perfectionist."

Every fighter has a personal timetable, a mental game plan that ultimately leads to the top. In Corrales' case, he says he's "6, 7 or 8 months away from really being ready to get in the ring with the big boys."

Adams disagrees.

"He's closer than he thinks," he said. "Maybe I'm rushing it, but I see a lot of good things right now. Youth is an advantage for him.

"If anything, he needs to learn how to deal with everyday life and with life in the spotlight. It's all between the ears."

The spotlight is there and waiting, Corrales within a stride or two of it no matter who's setting the time table.