Peeked in last noche on the ESPN FNF offering topped by the chapter two version of former jr. lightweight champ Diego Corrales facing slick and speedy southpaw Damian Fuller.

Knew from the start the Corrales people were still in the hand picking stage in the selection department, so, strike any thoughts of Fuller in role of live underdog.

Still, a doomed Damian did manage to stun dominant Diego ever so briefly in round two ... a surprise counter left hand on the money ... was there for all to see ... a clear and visible wiggle in the walk ... still, before the stanza closed it was Corrales once again in charge.

Then round three ... early into the candle with Fuller backing to the ropes ... Corrales touches Damian with a straight right and follows text-book style with a short-circuiting left-hook that had Fuller napping before hitting the canvas ... kayo at 48 seconds mark.

We'll be hearing more of the reborn Corrales ... question is at what weight ... were he my charge it would be the Spaddy, Dorin route ... and a don't call me I'll call you to Mayweather Jr., for that one was clearly settled before the two-year sabbatical at that left-coast iron-pagoda.

Regardless, '30, '35, '40, the guy is big puncher ... maybe questionable chin construction but he has returned ... and will always be a good peek.

And Ische Smith you ask? Think at a now 12-0 with seven whacks the guy has earned better opponents than a Sal Lopez ... shows for a fill-in stipend ... inactive for some six years before coming back this past January in a losing effort with non-household name Nurham Suleymanoglu ... and how's that for a qualifier.

Original Smith opponent David Estrada undefeated in 17 bouts may have been better test for Smith ... but copped a plea ... Ische then gifted with Sal the pal.

Boo to ESPN for showing this one ... ends at 1:31 of second candle ... a Ische rib crushing left-hook closes the show ... polite applause will do just fine thank you.

Smith still has much to prove ... looked better in style in this outing, but then so could I against a pugilistic Holy Ghost ... don't blame Smith ... the onus is on a something less than convinced brain trust ... or so it seems.

In closing, this: Pleasant surprise in opening bout ... name is Oscar Diaz ... another one of them Duva "finds" ... goes to 15-0 and 10 stops in a thriller with hard punching Jerome Elder.

Diaz showed speed and toughness ... Elder enters at 8-2 with all wins via knockout - a big banger with a matching heart ... just couldn't sustain the Diaz pace set from start to finish ... taking bout on two days notice could have been factor ... unanimous decision Diaz at 59-55 on all judges cards.

Semper fi,

GEL

06-20-03

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