Saturday night at Foxwoods Casino a WBO Lightweight World Championship fight took place between Acelino Freitas and Zahir Raheem. Freitas was fighting for more than just a championship belt. He was fighting to regain his dignity as he had been labeled a quitter because of his actions in his hard fought battle with Corrales.  

     Coming out of the other corner was Zahir Raheem, a fighter with much to prove since losing his first fight to Rocky Juarez. He too had some issues to deal with about wanting to quit. Yet, he erased all those thoughts when he beat one of the sport’s biggest names, Erik Morales, in convincing fashion. Still, true Morales fans weren’t swayed, many felt that maybe Raheem had fought an uninspired Morales who took the kid from Philadelphia lightly. So as soon as there was a buzz about Raheem it didn't take long for it to disappear since he did nothing to capitalize off his biggest win.  

     Saturday night was Raheem's chance to prove all the harsh critics wrong. It was the most important night of his life; it would determine his place in the Lightweight division puzzle and possibly lead to bigger fights and bigger paydays. It wasn't the case as I witnessed one of the worst Championship fights I have ever seen in many years between to elite fighters.  

     Freitas proved he still carries his punching power, but he was extremely wild and awkward in his attack; and Raheem looked even worst. He did nothing to make anyone think this was the same guy who defeated Morales. He held constantly throughout the entire bout and his balance was horrible. He fought from an extremely low crouching style, and whenever Freitas would throw his patent overhand right, Raheem would lean in with his shoulder, knocking Freitas off balance, and holding on very tightly. That was the fight in a microcosm.  

     Freitas went on to become World Champion for the fourth time via split decision. Raheem will return to obscurity once again, as no one will really care to fight him because he is talented but has no market value, so fighting Zahir has no upside.  

     This loss has practically taken Raheem out of the lightweight picture, giving Morales fans a sense of poetic justice. They can now justify what they felt about his win over Morales that it was more of a fluke because Morales either overlooked him and/or was uninspired.  

     At the end of the night Raheem was certainly the biggest loser all the way around. Even in defeat Freitas has proven to have a strong following and his very entertaining style against the right opposition and can create a buzz.  

     As for Zahir, he has a win over a future Hall of Fame fighter; however, he did nothing in the fight with Freitas to enhance his value as a fighter. For Zahir Raheem it's back to the drawing board...

Questions and comments can be emailed to Jeff Mayweather
 
4-29-2006