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Acelino Freitas

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Acelino Freitas
Born (1975-09-21) September 21, 1975 (age 49)
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Other namesPopó
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[1]
Reach69 in (175 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights43
Wins41
Wins by KO34
Losses2
Medal record
Men's boxing
Representing  Brazil
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 1995 Mar del Plata Lightweight

Acelino "Popó" Freitas (Portuguese pronunciation: [asɛˈlĩnu pɔˈpɔ ˈfɾejtɐs]; born September 21, 1975) is a Brazilian politician and a former professional boxer who competed between 1995 and 2017. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBO super featherweight title from 1999 to 2004, the WBA (Unified) super featherweight title from 2002 to 2004, and the WBO lightweight title twice between 2004 and 2007. After retiring from boxing, Freitas went into politics, and was elected as a legislator for the state of Bahia, from 2011 to 2014.[2] His nickname, Popó, was given to him by his mother, after the sound that babies make while drinking milk.[3]

Early life

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Freitas had a difficult childhood, often sleeping on a sandy floor at his house. Since early in his life, he dreamed of a better place to live for his family. A skilled football player, he was more inclined, however, towards the sport of boxing since an early age. He was heavily influenced by his father and brothers, especially Luis Claudio Freitas. Fellow Brazilian Eder Jofre, generally recognized as the greatest world champion to come out of that country, was one of Freitas' childhood heroes.

Amateur career

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Freitas competed for his native country and won a lightweight silver medal at the Pan American Games 1995 in Mar del Plata.

Professional career

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Early success

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After the Pan American Games he turned into a professional boxer on July 14, 1995, against Adriano Jose Soares. With his win by knockout in the first round that night, Freitas set off a streak of 29 knockout wins in a row, which places as one of the longest knockout wins streak in boxing history. His first 10 wins were against low level competition, but for fight number 11, he took on the much more experienced Edwin Vazquez, knocking him out in the seventh round.

Between 1997 and 1998, Freitas won four more fights and then took on Francisco Tomas Da Cruz, a former world title challenger of Julio César Chávez. Freitas handled Da Cruz with a knockout in two rounds and then added three more knockout wins before getting his first world title shot.

First World Title

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On August 7, 1999, Freitas knocked out WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Anatoly Alexandrov in the first round. Soon after, he signed a contract with cable TV giant Showtime, which began to telecast Freitas' fights to the United States. Freitas then made five defenses of his world title and had one non-title bout, all of which ended in knockout wins. He then went to London and took only 45 seconds to stop Daniel Alicea in another non-title affair. Freitas then beat the former world champion: Al Kotey, the brother of David 'Poison' Kotei, by a ten-round decision.

Freitas vs Casamayor

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On January 12, 2002, Freitas decided to sign for a unification bout with the WBA world champion, Joel Casamayor, a Cuban refugee who resides in Florida. In a rousing super featherweight unification title bout battle between unbeaten champions, a controversial knockdown and a blatant foul cost Casamayor his unblemished record and his title as Freitas won a close 12 round unanimous decision.

In a classic boxing confrontation between the Brazilian bomber Freitas (129½) and the Cuban boxer Casamayor (129½), the fighters switched roles midway through their encounter in what was reminiscent of Sugar Ray Leonard's first historic face-off with Thomas "Hitman" Hearns back in 1981. The scientist Casamayor became the aggressive slugger, while the puncher Freitas turned into the boxer as once again the unpredictable transpired in a mega-fight.

A glancing right-hand to the neck of the off-balanced Casamayor in the 3rd round was ruled a knockdown by referee Joe Cortez and intentionally hitting on the break in the 6th saw the Cuban penalized another point. It was the difference in the finale tallies and the two point cushion that the tiring Freitas retained across the boards on all three judges scorecards. Ring officials Robert Byrd, Bill Graham and Dave Moretti having identical scores of 114 to 112 for the Brazilian.

After Casamayor

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Next, he went to Phoenix, to fight Nigerian Daniel Attah, with only the WBO belt on the line, winning a 12-round decision on August 3, 2002. The fight was watched by an estimated 91 million viewers in Brazil.[4]

Freitas then retained the title in Chicago with a fourth-round knockout of Juan Carlos Ramirez. On August 9, 2003, he and Jorge Barrios engaged in what Showtime commentator Steve Albert called a candidate for fight of the year. Freitas was floored in rounds eight and eleven, but retaliated with a knockdown of his own towards the end of the eleventh, and ended up retaining the title by knockout in round twelve.

Freitas began 2004 by winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Artur Grigorian on January 4, to become the WBO's world Lightweight champion. On February 1 of that year, the WBA announced it had named Freitas their 2003 Fighter of the year.

Freitas vs Corrales

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On August 7, 2004, Freitas lost for the first time, losing his WBO Lightweight title to Diego Corrales by TKO in the tenth round after being knocked down by a left hook in Connecticut.

After Corrales

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On April 29, 2006, Freitas defeated Zahir Raheem for the vacant WBO lightweight title by split decision. Freitas announced his retirement as a professional boxer on October 4, 2006.[5] Later on, he announced his come back from retirement, and the WBO re-instated him as their lightweight champion.

On April 28, 2007, he fought Juan Diaz in Mashantucket, USA, losing by TKO after his trainer stopped the bout at the beginning the 9th round, drawing boos from the crowd.

He has fought three times since his last loss (2012, 2015, and most recently in November 2017), all wins against inferior competition and all in South America (two wins by knockout and one win by 8-round unanimous decision).

Personal life

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Freitas' childhood hero was Brazilian boxer Eder Jofre. His career in boxing was heavily influenced by his older brother Luis Claudio Freitas.

He has been able to help his family financially and has built a soccer field in his mansion, allowing him to practice his second favorite sport.

Freitas' married wife Eliana Guimarães in 2001, they divorced in 2003.

He was Secretary of Sports in Salvador and is member of Brazilian Republican Party.

The careers of Acelino Freitas and Luis Claudio Freitas are depicted in the 2019 biographical TV series Irmãos Freitas, directed by Walter Salles and Sérgio Machado. Brazilian actors Daniel Rocha and Rômulo Braga co-star as Acelino Freitas and Luis Claudio Freitas.[6]

In 2024, Acelino Freitas performed cosplayed as chimarrão in the reality singing competition The Masked Singer Brasil.[7]

Boxing record

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Professional

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43 fights 41 wins 2 losses
By knockout 34 2
By decision 7 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
43 Win 41–2 Gabriel Martinez UD 8 Nov 11, 2017 Arena Guilherme Paraense, Belém, Pará, Brazil
42 Win 40–2 Mateo Damian Veron TKO 3 (10), 1:09 Aug 15, 2015 Arena Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
41 Win 39–2 Michael Oliveira TKO 9 (10), 2:19 Jun 2, 2012 Hotel & Casino Conrad, Punta del Este
40 Loss 38–2 Juan Díaz RTD 8 (12), 3:00 Apr 28, 2007 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut Lost WBO lightweight title;
For WBA (Unified) lightweight title
39 Win 38–1 Zahir Raheem SD 12 Apr 29, 2006 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut Won vacant WBO lightweight title
38 Win 37–1 Fabian Salazar KO 1 (10), 2:28 Jul 16, 2005 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
37 Win 36–1 David Saucedo UD 10 Dec 11, 2004 Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, São Paulo
36 Loss 35–1 Diego Corrales TKO 10 (12), 1:24 Aug 7, 2004 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut Lost WBO lightweight title
35 Win 35–0 Artur Grigorian UD 12 Jan 3, 2004 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut Won WBO lightweight title
34 Win 34–0 Jorge Rodrigo Barrios TKO 12 (12), 0:50 Aug 9, 2003 Miami Arena, Miami Retained WBA (Unified) and WBO super featherweight titles
33 Win 33–0 Juan Carlos Ramírez TKO 4 (12), 0:19 Mar 15, 2003 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois Retained WBA (Unified) and WBO super featherweight titles
32 Win 32–0 Daniel Attah UD 12 Aug 3, 2002 Dodge Theater, Phoenix, Arizona Retained WBA (Super) and WBO super featherweight titles
31 Win 31–0 Joel Casamayor UD 12 Jan 12, 2002 Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas Retained WBO super featherweight title;
Won WBA (Super) super featherweight title
30 Win 30–0 Alfred Kotey UD 10 Sep 29, 2001 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami
29 Win 29–0 Orlando Soto KO 1 (12), 2:13 Jan 27, 2001 Ginásio Nilson Nelson, Brasília Retained WBO super featherweight title
28 Win 28–0 Daniel Alicea TKO 1 (12), 1:01 Dec 16, 2000 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire
27 Win 27–0 Carlos Rios TKO 9 (12), 1:18 Sep 23, 2000 Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario Retained WBO super featherweight title
26 Win 26–0 Lemuel Nelson TKO 2 (12), 2:59 Jun 10, 2000 Fox Theater, Detroit, Michigan Retained WBO super featherweight title
25 Win 25–0 Javier Jáuregui KO 1 (12), 1:25 Mar 18, 2000 Credicard Hall, São Paulo, São Paulo Retained WBO super featherweight title
24 Win 24–0 Barry Jones TKO 8 (12), 0:50 Jan 15, 2000 Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, Yorkshire Retained WBO super featherweight title
23 Win 23–0 Claudio Victor Martinet KO 3 (10) Dec 18, 1999 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
22 Win 22–0 Anthony Martinez TKO 2 (12), 1:20 Oct 26, 1999 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia Retained WBO super featherweight title
21 Win 21–0 Anatoly Alexandrov KO 1 (12), 1:41 Aug 7, 1999 La Palestre, Le Cannet, Alpes-Maritimes Won WBO super featherweight title
20 Win 20–0 Juan Angel Macias KO 8 (12) Apr 2, 1999 Grand Hotel, Tijuana, Baja California Retained WBO-NABO super featherweight title
19 Win 19–0 Peter Buckley RTD 3 (8), 3:00 Dec 19, 1998 Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, Merseyside
18 Win 18–0 Jose Luis Montes TKO 1 (12) Oct 16, 1998 Teatro Mutualista, Tijuana, Baja California, Merseyside Won WBO-NABO super featherweight title
17 Win 17–0 Francisco Tomas Da Cruz TKO 2 (12) Sep 15, 1998 Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, São Paulo Retained Brazilian lightweight title
16 Win 16–0 Juan Gutierrez TKO 1 (12) Aug 14, 1998 Auditorio del Estado, Mexicali, Baja California
15 Win 15–0 Rafael Oliveira KO 3 (10), 1:58 Jun 8, 1998 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California
14 Win 14–0 Rildo José Oliveira TKO 1 (12) May 29, 1998 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia Won Brazilian lightweight title
13 Win 13–0 Gustavo Rodolfo Sayaavedra KO 1 (10) Nov 19, 1997 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
12 Win 12–0 Edwin Vazquez TKO 7 (12) Sep 2, 1997 Belle Casino, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
11 Win 11–0 Hilario Guzman TKO 8 (10), 1:57 Jun 27, 1997 Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami
10 Win 10–0 Johnny Montantes TKO 1 (8), 2:39 May 10, 1997 Unknown, San José, Costa Rica
9 Win 9–0 Arcelio Diaz TKO 1 (12) Apr 22, 1997 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia Won IBF Latino lightweight title
8 Win 8–0 Antonio Maria Do Nascimento KO 2 (6) Mar 8, 1997 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
7 Win 7–0 Hamilton Cerqueira KO 4 (6) Feb 1, 1997 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
6 Win 6–0 Gutemberg Ferreira KO 2 (12) Aug 16, 1996 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia Won WBC Mundo Hispano lightweight title
5 Win 5–0 Ralph Riveros KO 2 (6) Apr 2, 1996 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
4 Win 4–0 Marco De Lima TKO 3 (6) Nov 14, 1995 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
3 Win 3–0 Manoel Oliveira da Cruz KO 2 (4) Sep 18, 1995 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
2 Win 2–0 Valdevino Monteiro KO 1 (4) Aug 14, 1995 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia
1 Win 1–0 Jose Adriano Soares KO 1 (4) Jul 14, 1995 Ginásio Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia

Exhibition

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4 fights 3 wins 0 losses
By knockout 3 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
4 Win 3-0–1 Kleber de Paula Pedra "Bambam" TKO 1(8), 36 24 Feb 2024 Vivo Vibra São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo , Brazil
3 Win 2-0–1 Junior Dublê TKO 1 (8), 45 26 Aug 2023 São Paulo, São Paulo , Brazil
2 Win 1-0-1 Jose Landi-Jons "Pelé Landy" TKO 1 (8), 1:25 25 Sep 2022 Arena Athletico Paranaense, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
1 Draw 0–0–1 Whindersson Nunes UD 8 30 Jan 2022 Music Park, Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

Television viewership

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Brazil

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Date Fight Network Viewership (est.) Source(s)
3 August 2002
 Acelino Freitas vs. Daniel Attah
Globo
91,000,000
 [4][8]
Total viewership 91,000,000

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Diego Corrales fight.
  2. ^ "Acelino Freitas Will Continue on His Political Journey". 18 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Acelino Freitas: "I Am The Best"". " retrieved 15 May 2009.
  4. ^ José Elias Flores Jr."Popó retires!". Archived from the original on 2008-09-30. 4 October 2006. Fightnews.com. URL accessed 4 October 2006.
  5. ^ "Daniel Rocha vive Acelino Popó Freitas na série 'Irmãos Freitas'". O Tempo. 15 October 2019.
  6. ^ "Chimarrão é desmascarado no The Masked Singer Brasil; veja quem é". Globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). 28 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  7. ^ "Popó defende título mundial hoje" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 May 2020.
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Anatoly Alexandrov
 WBO super featherweight champion
August 7, 1999 – January 18, 2004
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Diego Corrales
New title
Unified against Joel Casamayor
 WBA super featherweight champion
Super title
January 12, 2002 – February 10, 2004
Vacated
Status changed to Unified champion from August 5, 2002 		Vacant
Title next held by
Takashi Uchiyama
Preceded by WBO lightweight champion
January 3, 2004 – August 7, 2004 		Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Diego Corrales 		WBO lightweight champion
April 29, 2006 – April 28, 2007 		Succeeded by
Awards
Preceded by The Ring magazine Round of the Year
Round 5 vs. Jorge Rodrigo Barrios
2003 		Succeeded by
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